Just the way I’m feeling at festival
NINETIES legends Feeder rocked the packed Town Hall Square when they headlined the Feelgood Festival with a set that reflected their latest release, the bestselling Feeder The Best Of.
The new album covers their 10 studio albums, including hit singles such as Just the Way I’m Feeling, Buck Rogers and Lost and Found, plus nine newly-recorded tracks.
After their sound check, I caught up with Grant Nicholas, founder member and main man (Feeder is named after his pet goldfish) and bassist since 1994, Japanese ex-pat Taka Hirose.
Grant said: “Feelgood is our first ever free festival and our first time in Rochdale.
“We are in the middle of making a new record which will be out next year, then more touring and hopefully come back to Rochdale.”
I asked them what they put their longevity down to. Grant said: “I think that people always like guitar bands. It is great that there is such a vibrant live music scene for bands like ourselves.
“We like to write songs that are anthemic, but we also like to rock out at times with a good thread of melody in there.
“People relate to melody – you can be as heavy as you like but people need something to hook on to.”
Grant gave an insight into his songwriting technique, saying: “I usually start on acoustic guitars with lyrics coming at the same time.
“I used to start with the melody and then try and work out the lyrics in the studio, like a lot of people do.
“If I sit down to write, something usually happens. Some of the best ideas come really quickly, some of the best songs come to me almost ready written.
“Sometimes I will get a good line when going for a walk, an album title, a song title or a lyric.
“I find the news and newspapers a useful source of ideas.”
They had some great advice for young bands. Taka said: “Don’t take no for an answer. Play music you enjoy, listen to music, but don’t be led by what’s the trend.”
Grant added: “The key is having a good song, it doesn’t matter what style of music you play. If you have got a good song it will eventually come through.
“Don’t rush to sign with any dodgy manager, there are a lot of bad managers out there that can kill bands.
“Manage yourself for as long as you can and hopefully you will find the right person at the end.”