Thick, Northern-accented vocals twinned with rapid guitar riffs can mean only one thing: Maxïmo Park. Some things never get old.
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First marking their entry into the mainstream with a performance on Top of the Pops in 2006, Maxïmo Park have outlasted the passing of many musical movements. Sticking to a basic formula what these five Newcastle born and bred musicians lay down on a track or blast out on stage feels and sounds iconic. Releasing four studio albums over the course of the past decade, Maxïmo have honed their trademark, anthem-like noise qualities. The key change (pun intended) noticeable in Paul, Duncan, Archis, Lukas and Toms’ more recent material is the lyrical focus, with a peaceful and reflective focus prominent in the tracks of new album The National Health. Currently in the middle of another world tour, i-D Online caught up with the band to find out some of their secrets.
1. The Notting Hill Arts Club show that got Maxïmo signed to Warp Records was halted halfway through when the bass pedal broke and the venue had to be searched for a screwdriver before continuing.
2. The best catering the band have ever tasted was whilst supporting The Police at Twickenham.
3. Whatever country the band travel to Archis seems to be semi-fluent in the native language.
4. The band’s first album was recorded at Chaz Jankel’s (of The Blockheads) studio where The Tindersticks also recorded.
5. The third album was recorded in Jeff Pocaro’s (former drummer from Toto) garage. Jeff sadly died in the garden of the property after experiencing an allergic reaction whilst cutting grass.
6. The band recorded the first tracks for The National Health at Rockfield Studio in Wales, using the piano which Freddie Mercury wrote ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ on.
7. To kick-start the writing process for The National Health, Maxïmo wrote an instrumental soundtrack for a silent film called ‘The Man Who Laughed’ which was compiled in one month and performed twice in a very small cinema in Newcastle. In the end none of the music was used on the album.
8. Paul got a hug from Eddie Vedder at Leeds Festival 2006.
9. The lads once snuck onto Michael Buble’s tour bus in Switzerland without him knowing. It was pretty fancy.
10. During the making of the second album in London’s RAK Studios, Paul slept in the same room that Paul McCartney used to sleep in.
Text: Milly McMahon
Photography: Ellis Scott
Film: Asylum Films
