Dead Kids talk ‘pirates travelling in search of booty’

2008 has been an intriguing year for London-based newcomers Dead Kids. A host of absolutely frightening/incredibly entertaining in-your-face live shows have caused enough chin wagging to power a small village.

Dark electronic lines run throughout the music, catapulted into a realm that manages to finally bring punk into the 21st century via some to seriously searing guitar riffs. Mike Title is as much a brilliant frontman as he is an enigma.

At first you want to hate him; his cocky, arrogant demeanour is brought to the fore by a piercing, pale-eyed stare. Then you want to understand where he is coming from; lyrics of escaping the day-to-day nonsense of life under the gaze of The Man are delivered with bite, unmistakable personality and, yes, originality. Finally, you embrace the fact that there is nothing to dislike about a man walking upside down on the ceiling of the venue, drinking your pint and stealing your girlfriend.

Yet Mike Title really doesn’t care what you or I think of him, which in many ways is the beauty of it all. Luckily, Mike recently allowed us to pick his brains on a few matters that may or may have involved the impending release of their debut record.

Muso’s Guide: What was the last song you had stuck in your head? When it happens, are they usually songs you don’t like or are you one of the lucky few?
Mike Title: I remember when I had Dead or Alive ‘You Spin Me Round’ in my head day and night for what seemed like a week. I would wake to it and go to sleep to it. It actually brought me to tears. It was one of the few times I think I prayed to god to make it stop. It was torture.

Who has been your most unlikely influence during the course of writing Dead Kids material?
I don’t believe in unlikely influences. Whatever turns you on turns you on. You shouldn’t all draw from the same well should you? I listened to a lot of flamenco before I wrote the lyrics to Into The Fire.

Do you find it difficult to muster the same kind of energy of a live show when in the studio recording?
The live show is adrenaline shot and physical. It’s hot and unbridled. You have to be smart in the studio. You have to be composed and tight. We are going to record our debut album soon and it won’t be trying to capture the live energy. You can’t swing upside down from a light rig on record.

You’ve played some storming gigs this year (I happened to see you support Duke Spirit at Shep’s Bush and it was a set I won’t forget any time soon, so thanks) but are there any that stand out? If so, how so? Good or bad? 
I loved Glastonbury this year because crowd and band were all wasted together. It was a big big trip and I really felt like we connected even though people didn’t really know who we were. We did a massive show in Bordeaux to about 4 or 5000 Frenchies going totally nuts. The foreign shows really stick in my head as its fun to be like a pirate travelling in search of booty. Turning up in a strange town with a daring walk.

When not causing bouncers and venue managers to really earn their keep, what do you like to spend your time doing? Do you have a favourite past-time in London?
I like walking, cooking and fucking. All the “ings”.

Have you been to any good gigs yourself this year? What bands stand out at the moment?
I love Metronomy and Roots Manuva. Santogold was awesome at Glastonbury.

Off the top of your head, who would you say is an idol for you that isn’t involved in music? Why?
I’m not sure. I don’t think it’s wise to idolise anyone. No one comes to mind. I think largely I have a fairly low regard for human nature but humans can produce beautiful and inspiring work. That doesn’t necessarily make them good people though. I respect anyone who carves their own niche. Who is self sufficient and unique.

And finally, What word would you sum up 2008 with?
Obama.

Dead Kids’ as yet untitled debut will be released in early 2009.