More on: Model Horror

Model Horror are to release their new single 'We Are Here' on 17th March, through This Is Fake DIY Records.

The Hertfordshire electro-indie five-piece are in the middle of a string of UK dates, but guitarist Rob Hardy took some time out to tell us about their plans for an album and life as a band in the town of Letchworth.

Tell us how you came into being, back in Hertfordshire.
Most of us met whilst at school and started pottering about with various instruments. Craig joined some months ago from a few towns away, and it's been a swell time ever since.

When you started playing together did you sound anything like your current incarnation, or did you evolve?
We have evolved dramatically since the band's conception a few years ago. I'm sure if we turned up at a gig and played the set we had when we started out, and then went on later to play our current set, the majority of the crowd would wonder why these two bands have been put on the bill together.

Can you tell us about the first gig you ever played?
We had the keys to a local primary school and it was panto season, so they had a stage set up in the hall. Obviously this leant itself to the idea of putting on a gig and so one night we got all our mates down and played a few songs. It went pretty well considering.

What inspires Model Horror?
Music wise we are big fans of bands that haven't quite succumbed to the more commercial side of things but are still making some amazing records. Going out to see gigs, it's great to see energy on stage and you often just want to get up there and play as well.

You've been getting a lot of love from radio DJs - do you remember the first time you heard yourselves on air?
Yeah, it was Steve Lamacq's show I think. We got some one with the know how to record it from the computer and I think it's knocking about somewhere on the web.

Coming from a small town, how does being in a band fit in? How have your town-mates reacted?
The music scene round here is a fairly tight knit affair so you tend to know all the other bands and promoters, which is often quite handy. We get the odd stare of recognition when we venture into the hustle and bustle of Letchworth town centre, which is always welcome.

Have you got any plans for an album at the moment?
Not as such at the moment. We are just getting some demos smoothed out and then we will see where we stand. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for some album news later in the year.

Your new single is 'We Are Here' - where physically would Model Horror like to be right now?
Backstage at a sell-out show with camcorder in hand is generally, as a group, where we feel most at home.

Band-wise, what would be the point where you think, "yep, we ARE here" - what's the benchmark for you?
We are always changing the bench mark to coincide with what we are doing at the time. It's always healthy to set yourself little targets and keep pushing on after that, but I guess we will sit back and say we've made it when we are in the position to let the public decide what they pay when buying our latest album.

Your live act is famed - what the most fun you've had at one of your own gigs?
At some point last summer we played at a rave on a beach down in Cornwall. We had planned to stay the night but ran into some tent pole problems (having not brought any) and went swimming in the sea instead.

You seem to have a lot of love for your tour van and being on the road. Have you any van-related tales to tell?
The most recent trip we made in the van was down to Brighton to play with Crystal Castles. It turned up and we discovered the disappearance of the back seats. After minutes of deliberation we went with the only option available and took one of the sofas out of my living room and stuck it in the back to sit on.

Which other bands would you love to work with, given the chance?
We'd love to work with a whole host of bands who have been at the top of their game for a number of years. A musical love child with the likes of Daft Punk, LCD Soundsystem or Prodigy would be something to behold.

Pre-order 'We Are Here'... here!

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