Maximo Park waren nach dem Durchbruch von Franz Ferdinand eine jener großen Bands der 2000er-Post-Punk-Explosion, die zum bisher letzten Mal die Dancefloors in den Indiediscos so richtig zum Beben brachten.

Im Gegensatz zu den meisten britischen Indie-Bands hatte Deutschland einen besonderen soft spot für die Gruppe um den Hutträger Paul Smith, wie der Erfolg des ersten Albums zeigte, das damals in UK kaum höher chartete als hierzulande.
A propos Charts: zur wohl allgemeinen Überraschung erleben Maximo Park in England gerade eine Renaissance und sind mit dem im Februar veröffentlichten Album “Nature Always Wins” auf Platz 2 so hoch platziert wie seit 2007 nicht mehr und wurden im Kampf um ihr erstes Nummer-1-Album von der Metalcore-Band Architects mit gerade einmal 587 “Einheiten” geschlagen.

* Your three favourite Punk singles/songs?

The Buzzcocks – Orgasm Addict,

Magazine – Shot By Both Sides,

X-Ray Spex – O Bondage Up Yours

* A record that will make you dance?

James Brown – Funky Drummer

* Your favourite song lyrics?

The whole of Joni Mitchell’s ‘Amelia’ – each verse is brilliant in its own way, but cumulatively, it adds up to a masterpiece!

This isn’t a bad opening:

“I was driving across the burning desert
When I spotted six jet planes
Leaving six white vapor trails across the bleak terrain
It was the hexagram of the heavens
It was the strings of my guitar
Amelia, it was just a false alarm”

* The best “new” artist / band right now?

Black Country, New Road
or Dry Cleaning

They both have a real sense of humour, lyrically, and they have already established their own identity and voice. It’s fun and exciting to listen to them.

* Your opinion on Morrissey?

Truly, truly, truly… Disappointed.

* Franz Ferdinand, The Libertines or Bloc Party – which one do you prefer and why?

They’ve all been nice when I’ve met them on tour or at festivals, so no preference!

* Your favourite song about rebellion/revolution?

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised by Gil Scott Heron

* Your favourite song last year?

Pop singles: It’s a 3-Way-Tie!

The Big Moon – Take A Piece,

HAIM – The Steps,

Phoebe Bridgers – Kyoto

* Your favourite movie about music – and why?

Concert movie: Amazing Grace – Aretha singing gospel makes me cry.

Documentary: Wild Combination – A Portrait Of Arthur Russell – Arthur Russell singing and playing cello makes me cry, but add to this the tragedy of his death from AIDS, and I’m a wreck.

* The most overrated band/artist?

Too many to mention… most of them?!

* The best song you’ve ever written / recorded?

Maybe… Books From Boxes

* Your favourite german song/record?

Can – Ege Bamyasi

* Your favourite record of all time?

Life Without Buildings – Any Other City

(Antworten: Paul Smith, vocals)

Das neue Album von Maximo Park ist bereits erschienen.