The Library Suits

We were all really chuffed about how well last year went, from our first gig as a four-piece in June to having not only an 8 track album to our name, but a Christmas song, and plenty of gigs under our belt by Christmas, we feel that we’ve really gelled as a band in the short time we’ve been together. Aspirations are high for 2009 and we’re hoping to build on last year with more gigs, some recording and many more good Library Suits times. So this is my record of how the year has gone and will hopefully include all gigs and important stuff that’s happened throughout the year. Peace and hugs and tea in mugs, Rich. 5th January, The Hope and Anchor: Our first gig of 2009 was at The Hope and Anchor in Islington. The show was the second leg of a competition where the final prize would be to play at Koko in June. We were on first and had a twenty minute set, unfortunately the ghost that tries to steal Pauls kick drum followed us which was a bit of an annoyance. We played through four songs ok but all thought we could have done a lot better, it was a great night however, with some good bands, and the venue itself is excellent. We should be in good stead with the promoters meaning more London gigs, so all in all a success and a good start to the new year. There was also a lovely fish and chip restaurant down the road from the venue that allows you to bring your own bottle of wine, we however, decided to dine in the comfort of Matt’s car. On a personal note I was quite pleased to have gone with no money and scored both free beer and chips, result. This was the first and probably the last Library Suits outing for the flying V. 9th & 10th January, Take A Bow @ Seaxe and Essex Rocks @ The Fleece: To be honest Monday had given us all a bit of a kick up the ****, we could have played a lot better and we all knew it, so we all went to Brentwood really geared up wanting to give a great performance. We had the middle slot between Miss Cosmos and Von Jergo and by the time we were set to play quite a lot a people had turned up to watch the headline. The performance couldn’t have gone better, personally I think it’s the best we’ve played to date and we came across as pretty professional, the gig summed up by people approaching us afterwards wanting to buy our album. After a great performance people have come to expect from Von Jergo, it was back to Jon and Tom’s for pizza and tinned beverages, tasty. Saturday was the first Essex Rocks show at the Fleece, we were rather confident from the night before and were happy to play on the same bill as our good friends Death of the Elephant. After a beautiful acoustic set from Drifting From Reality and another powerful chunk of songs from DotE we took to the stage, the pub was busy and we had a great set, bar a strap malfunction. The new stage layout allows a lot more freedom on stage and more visibility, although does seem rather odd. Then it was off to Shakey’s for much merriment. The weekend was a great success for us and puts us in high spirits for our trip to The Twist on the 16th, most importantly we’re all really enjoying what we’re doing. Despite letting people know I was unable to pay them back and trying to decline beer offers, people were adamant that I play drink the beer, so thanking you muchly to all the kind people who donated. 16th January, The Twist: This was our last gig before our club NME date at Barhouse and a good opportunity to showcase our new track, despite getting there late and so not getting a soundcheck we played well and felt confident about playing the following week. We were all really impressed by Missing Andy, it’s always great to see a really professional sounding band and even though their style of music isn’t really my cup of tea, a great band can always be appreciated, I can see good things coming for these guys. 23rd January, Club NME: We were really excited about this show, it was probably our biggest gig to date and we’d prepared well so were confident too. The sound and turnout at Barhouse has always been great and tonight was no different. It was great to see so many familiar and unfamiliar faces there and we had a fantastic night, playing one of our new tracks “The Young Know Everything There Is To Know” was a particular highlight for me. The rest of the night was great, with the gang off to Shakey’s for some fun and beer drinking, this was my favourite gig to date and I think the guys share my views here.

SOMETIMES things just seem to fall into place. That's certainly would appear to be the case with The Library Suits, one of the most popular new bands in Chelmsford who came together after the demise of F451. In just a few months, The Library Suits have managed to build quite a following, seeming to appear almost fully realised out of nowhere. It seems Jon Ruskin (vocals, guitar), Rich Olding (lead guitar, backing vocals), Matt Langley (bass, backing vocals) and Paul Davidson (drums) have that magic ingredient, the chemistry that just makes a band work straight away. Jon explains how it all came together. "The Library Suits came about through me and Matt really. F451 had taken a break and we thought we'd play some acoustic shows, so it just came from there." It probably helped that the four of them had been in a band before. Prior to Jon and Matt joining F451, they'd been in Liquid Idolator with Rich and Paul, so it must have seemed natural to join forces again. "We did some covers and some open mic nights," explains Jon. "We played some of Matt's songs initially and then we came up with some of our own stuff and thought why not try it with a full band. "We asked Paul and Rich to join us and luckily they said yes! "It all just fell into place really quickly. We all knew each other anyway and Rich and Paul picked it up really quickly – the music is not too complex!" So how would Jon describe the music the Library Suits play? "I suppose it falls into the British rock category. To us, its borne out of growing up on Oasis, the Manic Street Preachers through to the likes of Maximo Park and even Lostprophets." Of course, you'll be able to hear for yourselves what the Libary Suits are like at BandCrash, where the band will also be dishing out their new CD. Featuring eight tracks, it was recorded over a week in September and the band are really pleased with the results – especially as they can now count Alex Zane as a fan. Next up for the foursome is the recording of a special Christmas single this month. "It's just a festive, tongue-in-cheek thing," says Jon. "It'll be slightly camp. Think Slade! It's just a bit of fun. We'll put it up on MySpace and be giving it out at gigs." www.myspace.com/thelibrarysuits

Firstly, thank you to those of you who came to see us, we are, as ever, very grateful for the support. I have to say I was surprised at how enjoyable it was as past experience had me pretty much expecting a depressing affair. Such a cynic. Last time I was at the Bull & Gate was with F451 and despite having three months to badger people into coming hardly anyone did, we played to no one and the venue were pissed off. Whoop. This time the pressure was off, Rich had got us a last minute slot meaning less of an emphasis on numbers. Even so, I was fairly awash with pessimism seeing as the headline act that night were some sort of Jamie Cullum / Jamiroquai funk blues thing. Pretty smooth stuff played by some trendy looking folk so I was fully expecting us not to fit in. I've not really got used to the idea that people might actually find us likeable. I don't think the likeability of F451 was all that universal. No disrespect to Jez or Jon of course. Two different barrels of monkeys, you could say. Anyway, the night was good, plenty of people at the venue and after some rallying from two of our more outgoing friends, a bunch were even persuaded to venture into the band room to see us for the duration. We got a really good reception and we all felt pretty damn pleased with ourselves. So, it turns out gigging is once again fun! When Jon and I embarked on this project we were like heartbroken souls, feeling particularly cautious about playing too much, we didn't want to get hurt again! But thankfully Rich, who has a wonderful laid-back-optimism, has become our main booking man and all this talk of playing places has got me excited again! So as Rich calls more venues for gigs and more people call Jon to ask us to play we march on into the future! It seems Jon's recent dreams about pleasant encounters with old friends and gigs he describes as 'fine' are a good omen! Recording is booked with producer/friend/general hero, Neak, for early September which is basically going to be freaking awesome! Not only will we mess around for a week drinking and playing games but we'll have songs to woo the world with! We'll hopefully get 5 tracks to make an EP or something, and bar one or two Library-Suit-defining songs, selection is wide open. So please reply telling us what you think our bestest songs are!! Personally, I can't wait to get a recording of Jon doing his solo version of Stop Breathing and Fall. He sings it like a bearded angel! And I mean that in a good way! Having a recording will naturally mean some kind of EP launch…which is being slowly developed from a nice idea to a plan. Obviously we'd love to see you there! So here we are – Jon (thug-like musical genius with a big heart), Rich (awesomely talented guitarist and full time handsome fellow), Paul (solid as a slab of granite with a cow bell) and me – starting to feel like a band. A real fucking band! Thanks for reading, Matt

It's been an interesting few months I've got to say, and it all started one faithful Friday night in Mrs Cod, where I was asked whether I would like to be part of something I vaguely recollect being described as "new and sexy" The two young men in question seemed of high spirits and were somewhat reluctant to show me a camera-phone recording of Rihanna's "Umbrella". After weighing up my options for around three seconds, and being the whoreish musician that I am I gobbled up the opportunity, ordered the usual pile of chips with lashings of mayonnaise and trotted off a happy boy indeed. After stumbling home the next morning after spending the night on a friends sofa, I pondered this newfound venture over several novelty sized mugs of extremely sugary tea, not really sure what shape or form it might take but excited all the same, whether it was the nineteen spoons of sugar i had consumed that morning or not, my brain was starting to feel a lot less upside-down and inside-out. The next few weeks seemed to fly by with rehearsals, heavily fuelled by the tea making facilities at Mushroom, and the odd ten minute funk jam, being amazingly productive. There was soon enough music to fill a set nicely, and after another acoustic set opening at The Two Brewers it was finally time to put the fruits of our labours to the test. Friday night at The Two Brewers was swinging as usual, bustling with drink, chatter and general merriment. There was a mixture of excitement and nervousness in the air, and as Turkey saw their way to the Euro semis in style, it was time to take to the stage. An anticipating crowd then helped make The Library Suits' first gig one that, for me, will sit happily in the warm folds of my memory. As soon as the music started, all sense of nervousness was lost and the adrenalin and excitement took over. It was, despite a few technical hitches, namely a broken guitar, a resounding success, with both the band and crowd full of cheer, and some fine dancing thrown in for good measure. After being put on by Panic! for the second electric set at The Cellar Bar, attention turned to Wednesday the 2nd of July where we were set to play a full band acoustic at the Bassment. Despite not having a decent full band acoustic practice, the night went off without a hitch, with thanks going to Mark and the Bassment team. Another great night, topped off by some lovely stories of office misfortune, hooves and lack of nostril hair by DotE bassist Dan. All in all it's been a fantastic few months for me so far, tonight we're off to The Twist for some rock/indie themed action to make it three gigs in 8 days, how rock and roll. A massive thank you has to go out to everyone who has wished us well in this new project, by kind words, gestures or otherwise, to everyone who has come to watch us, put us on, take photos and buy us beer, we are in your debt. Until next time, stay happy and we hope to see you soon! Love and kisses, Rich