By Mark Petracca
Despite the onslaught of dance and techno oriented music currently ruling Brittania's waves, Ireland and Scotland have always had an affinity for old-fashioned guitar-based rock and roll. Along with Cast, Ocean Colour Scene and Kula Shaker, the Celtic-descended Travis is one of the prominent groups leading the late-90s 'trad-rock' movement. Formed in Glasgow, Scotland as a fun project between four friends, this quartet has proven to be more enduring than many of their peers, primarily due to their lively, impassioned songwriting and energetic performances.
Formed in 1990, the group has already established a fanatical following in Ireland and Britain. As Oasis, Blur, and even the mighty Radiohead have discovered, American success is an entirely different matter. Dougie Payne, bassist with the band, summed up the group's feelings on their hoped-for American conquest by stating; "I don't think any of us in the band have those kind of (over-optimistic) expectations. We just want to have fun playing good music and let the business sort itself out. America's huge and it would be foolish to have that kind of attitude. I hate when bands say 'we're gonna be massive'. I say make sure the music is the best you're capable of making. Don't put that kind of pressure on yourself or you'll set yourself up for disappointment."
In playing coast to coast, Travis secretly hope their melodious songs will appeal to the same folks who bought over two million copies of The Man Who (Epic), their current album. That disc was also voted "Album of the Year" by British publications such as New Musical Express, e, Melody Maker and Select. These accolades however, don't necessarily translate to mega-success in the sprawling American domain. When asked what he thought was the most exciting aspect about playing in America, Payne said; "Well it's like the start of anything, whether it's the first time you have sex, your first cigarette (though I just quit smoking), your first of anything. It's the start of life in America, exhilarating and a wee bit scary." Lead vocalist Francis Healy has since stressed to New Musical Express the importance of cracking America, claiming, "American success is extremely important to Travis. America has a massive amount of people and we want to get the songs to as many of them as possible. I would put my neck on a chopping block just for that. Just now, I'm totally obsessed. We've got to play to as many people as possible. I'd be doing it like I was doing it for six years."
Led by the smooth tenor of singer/songwriter From Healy and the hypnotic understated twang of guitarist Andy Dunlop, it's been said that Travis sounds very much like an easier digested version of Radiohead. In fact, their new disc was produced and mixed by Nigel Goodrich, the same guy that made Radiohead's OK Computer a modern day classic. While the cryptic leanings of that record are absent, The Man Who shares more of Morrissey and the Smiths' leanings on life and misery.
The Radiohead link occurred due to a chance meeting after a show a few years ago, as Payne describes thus, "Fran and I were hanging out at the bar having a beer when this guy comes up and starts telling me how much he liked the show and the band.'Thank you,' I said. He said he was in this band called Radiohead! 'Yeah I heard of you,' I gulped. Goodrich was brought up and we made our introductions. Before you know it we had established a relationship with him. Just a brilliant guy. He's so old school, you know, in the studio. Very analog, with all this cool gear that friends or engineers rebuilt for him. Sometimes you can record something in the studio and think that you really got your sound, then by the time you hear it run through (all the equipment) it doesn't sound like anything like you were expecting. Nigeljust made everything mesh together really well."
On the success of The Man Who, Payne said, "Well, we really didn't go in with any false pretense or expectations. I'd have to stress that we were just trying to write the best possible songs and record them and let things sort themselves out. You have to understand that the record was initially slagged by the same critics who [later] voted it best album of the year. We'd gone to Fran's house and had all the reviews laid out in front of us, reading them. 'Oh, here's a good one, wait, no, it's not.' While it was a bit disheartening we knew we had A chance if the radio played it. Ultimately Radio One started playing "Why Does It Always Rain On Me" and we got off to a good start. It really took off, though we didn't think it would be so massive."
Travis will return to the studio later this year to record the follow up to The Man Who, and expect to have the album scheduled for release in May 2001. When asked for words of encouragement for fans who might be thinking of forming a band, Payne said, "Think of yourself as being the best, not the biggest. Don't worry about fame. Focus on the music. Do the best you can with the lyrics, arrangement, the playing. Pay attention to what makes the song great."
Advice Travis have surely followed themselves, as they prepare for another assault on the American rock scene. Having just completed a nationwide tour with Oasis, the Scottish foursome are racing ahead of their more experienced contemporaries on the American album charts. They could well be the men who finally lead a decent British invasion on American soil.
