BlackBook Magazine

On their debut album Lay Down the Law, the Britpop revivalists do, well, just that. Frontman Matt Bishop explains (en route to see Drillbit Taylor).

Matt Bishop isn’t a control freak. Not exactly, anyway. From acquiring his first guitar at the age of three, and recording the band’s demo entirely on his own in his sister’s pink bedroom, to handpicking the members of the band via blind dates, the lead singer of the Britpop band Switches knows exactly what he wants, and seems to know exactly how to get it. With an American tour under their belt, an upcoming performance on Jimmy Kimmel (we gave him pointers), and solid album reviews, maybe he can relax a little. Sure, unless you’re double parked. Below, Matt Bishop speaks candidly about Switches’ debut album, Lay Down the Law, his love-hate relationship with mankind, and his list of musical heroes—all done while driving to the movie theater as his girlfriend holds the phone next to his ear.

BLACKBOOK: You’re about to see Drillbit Taylor?

MATT BISHOP: Yep. The last time I went to the cinema, I saw Jumper because someone told me that “Lay Down the Law” was in it. It’s the first time one of my songs was in a Hollywood film, so I had to go and see what it was all about, and it was highly disappointing. But it had my song in it, which made it half decent.

BB: How long have you been back in the U.K.?

MB: I’ve been home about three days. It takes me so long to get over the jet-lag for some reason. I was so tired. I slept for two days straight.

BB: You’ve been touring since January, and you’re about to do Jimmy Kimmel. Have you seen Kimmel’s video, “I’m fucking Ben Affleck?”

MB: You’re what?

BB: Forget it. Are you nervous before performances?

MB: Only for five minutes before the show. It’s an adrenaline rush. I get that feeling whether I’m playing in front of 10 people or 4,000 people.

BB: How have you been received on this American tour?

MB: Hopefully very well, thank you. Hopefully we’ve been received better here than we were in England—not that we were received badly in England, but I always expect more from American audiences

BB: You’ve said that the West Coast is your “spiritual home.” Could you elaborate?

MB: Well, I grew up being really into the Beach Boys, and L.A. was all about the Beach Boys—but, of course, I’m 40 years too late. When I finally got there, it was all about guns and violence. But New York is definitely a lot cooler, and there’s more to do there, although L.A. does have Universal Studios.

BB: Tell me about a career highlight.

MB: I know I shouldn’t namedrop, but we hooked up with the Dandy Warhols in Portland. I’m not one to namedrop, but it was cool for us because I grew up listening to their records. On the Bravery tour, I got to meet Craig Nicholls from the Vines. He’s another one of my all-time heroes. So that’s two down and about 25 to go now.

BB: Do you party a lot on tour?

MB: I’m probably the least social member of my band, so I didn’t really go out that much. But we did go to a great rib place in Atlanta, Georgia. The other guys went out partying with the Bravery much more than I did. I can’t go around being a jackass on tour, you know?

BB: What drives you as an artist?

MB: It’s a fear of failure that drives you to do more. You know what I mean? It’s like I’m driven by the fear of failure. I don’t even think I’ll be happy when I get success. I’ll always be looking behind at my tail.

BB: You felt isolated as a child. How has that experience played into your songwriting?

MB: Growing up as a quiet child meant that I had a lot of time on my own to work on music and develop my skills. Being that kind of outcast helped me a lot. I was never a complete outcast, but I was more quiet and interested in doing my own thing, as a lot of songwriters are if you really get to know them.

BB: Influences?

MB: I’m not influenced by much, just the desire to skepticize my own ears with the creations I make. I could say I’m influenced by relationships, but that’s not really true. I could say I’m influenced by the need for money, but that’s not really true, either… I hate when people park in two spaces. I’m trying to park and some asshole is parking over two spaces. I hate that.

BB: Any other pet peeves?

MB: People in general. I love people but then I hate people as well. I just like to be left alone, really. That’s my idea of fun.

BB: Touring must be quite painful then?

MB: A little bit, but I do like the sauce, so that often loosens me up a bit. All rock stars like the sauce, and it’s definitely there for a reason. I pass the boredom by drinking.