Everything is relative, right? Thus, it’s no surprise that UK band The Cribs have an honest perspective about the sensationalism driving today’s celebrity-obsessed culture. To put it simply, they hate it. 

So, while it seems everyone wants to know the latest on supermodel/rock star duos like Helena Christensen and Coldplay’s Guy Barryman, or Kate Moss and Pete Dougherty, it’s a relief to find that The Cribs, whose next album is titled Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever, fail to fall victim to the widespread cliché of “rockers, models and bottles.” 

The Cribs - brothers Ryan, Gary and Ross Jarman - are the cool kids from Wakefield, England who took true music lovers by storm in 2005 with their first full-length debut, The Cribs, and again in 2006 with The New Fellas. Their fans will be even more excited to know that come this July, The Cribs’ third album will be released on Warner Bros. Records. And, there’s an added surprise: the guys decided to have fellow musician and friend, Alex Kapranos from Franz Ferdinand, produce it. 

PsychoPEDIA took a ride with the guys in an NYC cab (and backstage at Mercury Lounge) in between dinner at The Spotted Pig and another show on their small pre-album release US tour this summer. In their own words:  

What do you guys think of the cliché of rockers only dating models?  Does it apply to The Cribs?
Ryan: I don’t even know any of ‘em! The whole fashion and model industry world is something I don’t have any interest in. It’s a completely different world!
Ross: We came from a small town called Wakefield, where we’re kind of secluded from all that star stuff. We really don’t take notice.
Gary: The only model I’d know and recognize would be Kate Moss! 

What has it been like to experience America’s celebrity culture?
Ryan: I’ve experienced it all in a surreal way. I’ve been to all the parties and seen it all, but choose not to take part…
Gary: The thing about Ryan is that he has no idea who these people are. He won’t kiss their ass.
Ryan: I was at Paris Hilton’s house, but I had no idea who she is. And then the other day, I was at another one’s house, another actress’ house, somewhere in the Hollywood Hills and didn’t know who she was. The only thing that’s different at that kind of house, rather than a regular house, is that they have free crab cakes! I guess it’s good that I have no idea who these people are. 

America is consumed with this kind of crap, so it’s interesting to hear what a band from England has to say…
Ryan: It’s just sensationalized bullshit, where everyone is liking someone, just by their face… 

And it’s not something Brits can relate to?
Ryan: I see it all the time in England as well. People don’t take notice to what’s really going on in papers, important issues. It’s total bullshit. When we come here, we’re exposed to such a different lifestyle. I’m from a really small mining town; I don’t go out, it’s a totally dead kind of place and the weather is rubbish. When you’re in Los Angeles, you at least get the opportunity, when you’re living this surreal kind of lifestyle, it just seems so phony. If they’re happy with that life, that’s fine, it’s just a million miles from where I’m from, from how I live my life.

~Jessica McMenamin

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