Drowned In Sound published an interview with Andy Bell today. If you're not familiar with Bell's career, he was in one of the best bands ever - Ride. After their breakup, he formed Hurricane #1, went on to join Oasis in 1999, and is currently in the everybody-in-Oasis-except-Noel band Beady Eye. The interview in Drowned In Sound is a GREAT read. Bell discussed his all musical projects, but the interview centered around his days in Ride. Some excerpts are posted below, but you really should click over to read the full, amazing interview. Swoon.
On Nowhere:
"...Nowhere is still my proudest achievement, more because it was our debut and we'd finally made an album with our names on it. It's grown on me more in the years afterwards. I don't think any of us quite realised what we'd achieved until many years later."
On Ride's deliberate attempt to distance themselves from the shoegaze scene:
"We saw ourselves as being far superior to all those other bands. I think any band that's worth its salt genuinely believes they're the best band in the world, and we were no different. As much as Ride were four very withdrawn and quiet individuals as people, we had that confidence, that belief, in ourselves."
On Liam and Noel:
"Working with the Gallaghers was brilliant. They're both very different yet in some ways quite similar, and also very appreciative for what I was bringing to their band"
On Ride ever playing again:
"Well, never say never. We're good friends now. We get together once a year and just have a few pints and whatever. We're all pretty busy with what we're doing, but personally, it would be a shame if we never got to play those songs one more time."
Do yourself a favor and read the interview here. If you're not familiar with Ride, seriously, go listen to some of their music. As much as I think you should buy it, I'll go ahead and post a link so you can stream Nowhere in full. At least go listen to "Vapour Trail" or the epic "Leave Them All Behind" and while you're at it, swoon to "Chrome Waves." Anniversary editions of Nowhere and Going Blank Again are both available and are highly recommended.
"Unfamiliar"
On Nowhere:
"...Nowhere is still my proudest achievement, more because it was our debut and we'd finally made an album with our names on it. It's grown on me more in the years afterwards. I don't think any of us quite realised what we'd achieved until many years later."
On Ride's deliberate attempt to distance themselves from the shoegaze scene:
"We saw ourselves as being far superior to all those other bands. I think any band that's worth its salt genuinely believes they're the best band in the world, and we were no different. As much as Ride were four very withdrawn and quiet individuals as people, we had that confidence, that belief, in ourselves."
On Liam and Noel:
"Working with the Gallaghers was brilliant. They're both very different yet in some ways quite similar, and also very appreciative for what I was bringing to their band"
On Ride ever playing again:
"Well, never say never. We're good friends now. We get together once a year and just have a few pints and whatever. We're all pretty busy with what we're doing, but personally, it would be a shame if we never got to play those songs one more time."
Do yourself a favor and read the interview here. If you're not familiar with Ride, seriously, go listen to some of their music. As much as I think you should buy it, I'll go ahead and post a link so you can stream Nowhere in full. At least go listen to "Vapour Trail" or the epic "Leave Them All Behind" and while you're at it, swoon to "Chrome Waves." Anniversary editions of Nowhere and Going Blank Again are both available and are highly recommended.
"Unfamiliar"
