Chewing Bubblegum and Kicking Ass: An Interview With The Bicycles
Posted in The Summer, Canadian Content, Interviews, Current Faves, Music |Interviewed by Less Lee Moore
I saw The Bicycles play on my first trip to Toronto, in 2002. Impressed, I waited for news of a CD release. And waited and waited, along with the rest of their fans.
2006’s The Good, The Bad, and The Cuddly was truly worth waiting for. It’s full of sweet—yet cheeky—infectious pop. After all, when a band wears matching t-shirts sporting the letter B, one could expect nothing less.
The Bicycles
Photo © Graham Kennedy
But don’t confuse The Bicycles’ brand of bubblegum with that of today’s Top 40 artists. Instead of autotuned vocals and cookie-cutter lyrics, they employ strings, horns, handclaps, and real-live harmonies, evoking both the wit and whimsy of The Monkees and Nilsson (both of whom they cover flawlessly) without being derivative of either.
Their music is the perfect antidote to a too-hot summer day, so I spoke with them about the band’s history and upcoming release, their favorite warm weather activities, and the highs and lows of summer camp.
Popshifter: Although I’ve seen you play a bunch of times, I don’t actually know the origins of the band, and how you met. What was it that made you decide you wanted to be in a band together?
Matt Beckett: Drew and I went to public school and high school together, although we didn’t hang out.
Drew Smith: Bit of an attitude.
Matt laughs.
Drew Smith: It prevented me from wanting to know you. It’s true.
Andrew Scott: Truth hurts, man. Drew, what made you want to start knowing him?
Drew Smith: Music. . . the joys of music. First year of university, I started a band called the Yum Yums with Randy Lee. And we started making tapes. And then we decided that the Yum Yums was a horrible name.
Matt cracks up.
Dana Snell: And when I met them it was pretty much just Matt and Drew, so they were kind of a two-man show. Which is why they’re called the Bicycles. They wanted a band and they found a bass player in the halls of OCAD. . . right?
Drew Smith: Yep.
Dana Snell: They knew that I played drums so. . . that’s how I joined. I was kind of like a friend of a friend. So I was recruited for drumming. And then. . . Andrew?
Andrew Scott: I’m trying to remember.
Andrew Scott
Photo © Graham Kennedy
Drew Smith: Randy used to think you looked like Donovan.
Andrew Scott: Yeah, I had a Donovan hat.
Drew Smith: And you made up fruity songs.
Andrew Scott: First you guys played at the CD release party for the Meligrove Band’s Let It Grow album. And then, like two weeks later, they called and said, “We have a show tonight. Do you want to come play?”
Popshifter: And that’s how they sucked you in?
Andrew Scott: Pretty much.
Drew Smith: And then seven years later. . . ! (laughs)
Andrew Scott: Seven years later? That was like, six years ago, so you’re projecting in one more year we’re gonna be rich!
Everyone laughs.
Click to read more from The Bicycles on. . .
Their upcoming album
Jacques Demy
Board games
Back to school
Old Man Bolton
Plans for the summer
