Die schottische Band Arab Strap der beiden Songwriter Aidan Moffat und Malcolm Middleton kann nächstes Jahr ihr 30jähriges Jubiläum feiern. Gegründet aufgrund einer gemeinsamen Vorliebe für Will Oldham und Smog kann man heute noch diese Vorbilder erahnen, aber haben Arab Strap eine ganz eigene Nische für sich geschaffen. Vocals, die nah am Spoken Word – und noch näher am schottischen Dialekt – sind, gepaart mit sparsamer Instrumentierung, aber durchaus elektronischen Beats, sind in dieser Kombination selten zu finden.

Was darüber hinaus Arab Strap aber so bemerkenswert macht, sind sicherlich die Lyrics, die Abgründe nicht aussparen und sich bevorzugt mit Alkohol, Drogen befassen – oder vom Akt der körperlichen Liebe in einer Art erzählen, die Begierde nicht vergisst, aber fernab jeglicher Romantisierung ist. Treffend, dass ihr Best-Of-Box-Set den Titel “Scenes of a Sexual Nature” trug.
Nach einer 15jährigen Pause veröffentlichten sie 2021 ein Comeback-Album, dem nun das erneut starke “I’m Totally Fine with It Don’t Give a Fuck Anymore” folgt (ein Album “full of piss and vinegar, but it’s full of desire, regret and love, too”, wie die Review im Magazin Clash schön zusammnfasst).

Fun Fact: natürlich nimmt das Belle & Sebastian – Album “The Boy With The Arab Strap” von 1998 Bezug auf die Moffat/Middleton-Band, was bei Arab Strap selbst nicht auf Gegenliebe stieß: “The inspiration for the album’s name came from the band Arab Strap, who are also from Scotland and briefly toured with Belle and Sebastian. An Arab strap is a sexual device for retaining an erection, a fact unknown to Murdoch at the time. Arab Strap were reportedly less than pleased with their inclusion in the title of the album. (…) Malcolm Middleton, the band’s instrumentalist, added, “Because Arab Strap is quite an interesting name. (…) We’re friends with them, but there’s a limit to putting someone else’s name on an album. They’re taking away something from us.” (wiki)

* Your three favourite Punk singles/songs?

MALCOLM:

** Plate In My Head – The Didjits

** Just Being With You – Hard-Ons

** Bonzo Goes To Bitburg – Ramones

AIDAN:

** Where Eagles Dare – Misfits
** Bullet – Misfits
** Skulls – Misfits (I’ve been listening to the Misfits a lot lately)

* Your favourite song lyrics?

MALCOLM: Just An Illusion – Imagination

AIDAN: Map of the City – Royal Trux

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

MALCOLM: Lime Garden: Words and music are nice. Classic, melodic, indie guitar band.

AIDAN: I’ve just discovered Still House Plants: The frantic drums, noisy guitars, and spooky vocals.

* Your favourite song about rebellion/revolution?

MALCOLM: Rise Above – Black Flag

AIDAN: Fight for Your Right – Beastie Boys – I had to hide it from my Mum!

* Your favourite song this year so far?

MALCOLM: Dinny Greet – rEDOLENT

AIDAN: Good Luck, Babe! – Chappell Roan

* Your favourite movie about music – and why?

MALCOLM: Whiplash. It’s The Karate Kid but with drums.

AIDAN: At the risk of being totally predictable, Breadcrumb Trail, the one about Slint.

* Your opinion on Morrissey?

MALCOLM: Don’t have one. I’ve never owned a cardigan.
AIDAN: I love a good cardigan, but I’ve never liked The Smiths.

* Tindersticks, Belle & Sebastian or King Creosote – which one do you prefer and why?

MALCOLM: It’s honestly so hard to choose between these guys. I don’t listen to any of them.

AIDAN: Tindersticks! Their first album was a bit of an inspiration; it has a gorgeous, filthy, rainy atmosphere.

* Your favourite Scottish artist ever?

MALCOLM: Amy MacDonald

AIDAN: No idea, but my favourite Scottish single ever is Everything Flows by Teenage Fanclub.

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

MALCOLM: Steps by Malcolm Middleton

AIDAN: I don’t really have one, but I wrote a song with Bill Wells called Far From You, which is about my son and always makes me cry.

* Your favourite german song/record?

MALCOLM: Nico – The Fairest Of The Seasons

AIDAN: Can’s Monster Movie, probably.

* Your favourite record of all time?

MALCOLM: Welcome To The Pleasuredome – Frankie Goes To Hollywood

AIDAN: Santo & Johnny – Sleep Walk (Canadian American Records, 1959)

Das neue Album von Arab Strap – “I’m totally fine with it don’t give a fuck anymore” – ist gerade erschienen.