Action Plan

Rule one of journalism; no matter how fancy your dictaphone may be, always make sure it’s working. Six weeks ago, Ragged Words left Ryan’s Bar in North London with possibly its finest and undoubtedly its longest interview to date. Four weeks and one bandy Dictaphone later, Action Plan have been summoned back, this time in Camden and Ragged Words has its tail firmly between both legs. “Do you want us to ask someone to take it down shorthand,” jokes front man Niall Doherty. “Is there any taboo on saying the same jokes again because there’s a couple we’d really like to get in,” drummer Matt Glass enquires.

It wouldn’t be all that unbelievable had the whole ‘Action Plan dictaphone fiasco’ been used just as an excuse to arrange another interview. Not only are the part London, part Chelmsford four-piece an extremely likeable bunch, they demonstrate the kind of admirable refusal to adhere to trends that is becoming all too scarce in this scene driven capital city. The downside is that the fruit of their two-year labours has thus far been one limited release single, ‘Stendhal/ Beauty Scars’. The fact that Action Plan are still looking for a record deal is surely proof that there are just too many bands in London? Both Niall and Matt correct me: “There’s too many shit bands in London.”

It’s drummer and singer who hold court for both interviews leaving little room for bassist Chris White and guitarist Ian McCullagh. “London’s over saturated,” insists Niall. “Someone said to me five years that we should just move to London and get a record deal. Bollox. There’s this whole thing in the regions, when bands come to London and think ‘brilliant, I’ve got a London gig’. I just say get the fuck out, if you’re a good enough band and do a really good gig in say Leicester, there’s enough ways now, for people to find out.”

“It’ not just the number of bands.” Matt interrupts. “To try and get people along to a gig is really hard work. We played in Sheffield on Friday night and it was pretty much the only gig on. You can’t do that in London because there are so many gigs. Even when you have a fan base, they’re going to want to go see other bands.” Indeed as we talk before tonight’s gig at the Barfly, pals Hope Of The States have probably already nicked half of Action Plan’s crowd for their show at Kings College.

What’s so different about Action Plan then? Well, unlike the bandwagon jumpers, they’re more than good enough. Action Plan are simply a good rock band. They offer the kind of ‘And You’ll Know Us By The Trail of Dead’ UK equivalent that is certainly missing but one people seem reluctant to accept. Niall agrees, “It’s hard to get the whole gang mentality going because there’s not too many bands that sound like us. I’m not saying we’re trailblazers but our stuff is predominantly influenced by early 90’s American music of Sonic Youth and Smashing Pumpkins. It feels like the tides is turning though, with the likes of Pull Tiger Tail and Fear Of Flying who just want to be rock bands.”

Action Plan also have an impressive grasp of exactly what it is they’re doing. Niall, in particular, speaks methodically about how the band should play and record: “It’s just all about symmetry. We’re really strict about performing a seven-song set so when you write a new song it has to be of the highest quality to be included live. It’s the same for an album, 10 songs is the perfect time for a bands debut album.”

The only question is exactly when they will get to release a debut that they’ve “decided about a hundred times what the songs will be.” Judging by live versions of ‘Blood Brothers’, ‘Circa’, ‘We Laughed They Burned’, there is a fine albums worth ready to go. Besides, Action Plan wouldn’t exactly represent a risk for any record company executives. Not only would the record sell but, given the right support, it could tap into the mass appeal left dormant by Corgan & Co. “We’re just stuck in a place right now where we’ve got so many songs that we just want to record them. There’s only so times that you can listen to them up here (points to his head) all day,” concludes Niall. A bigger audience shouldn’t be too far away.