The Enemy: Liam Watts Interview

The Enemy's Liam Watts. *pic: NME

It's been an incredible 2007 for Coventry band The Enemy and it's about to get better for their thousands of fans as they get ready to headline this year's Godiva Festival, on the 4-6 July at Memorial Park. Mick McLaughlin, caught up with drummer Liam Watts to talk about their favourite festival, their amazing success and why there's no place like home ...

WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE TO BE HEADLINING THE GODIVA FESTIVAL?

It's going to be mental! If last year is anything to go by it could quite easily end up being one of the best gigs of the year.
Playing in front of home crowds means so much to us, we don't get to do it very often so when the opportunity comes around we're buzzing about it!! Can't wait!

SO 2007 WAS A FANTASTIC YEAR FOR YOU - TELL US ABOUT YOUR HIGHLIGHTS?

A lot happened for us in 2007 so it's hard to narrow it down too much. We'd probably say the festivals. Reading and Leeds were immense. T in the Park was top, Glastonbury was muddy but sound and not forgetting Godiva which went off big time. Don't be surprised if the tent comes down this year!

YOU'VE RECENTLY BEEN ON TOUR - WHAT WAS THAT LIKE AND AT WHICH STADIUM DID YOU RECEIVE THE BEST RESPONSE?

Yeh we've done some quite big support tours with the Manics and Stereophonics recently. They were all arena size venues probably around the 8,000 mark. We had a top reception across the board. It was good to get into the bigger venues and find our feet on some big stages. Would be hard to pick out a favourite gig from those tours.

DO YOU SEE YOURSELVES AS ROLE MODELS/AMBASSADORS FOR COVENTRY?

We don't see ourselves any different to how we did before the band, although we understand for some people we may be kind of 'role models'. We just want to show people that achieving your dreams is a possibility and that you should believe in yourself! As for being 'ambassadors' ..... more like just three normal lads who will fly the flag!

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FORTHCOMING ALBUM?

We're in the studio doing some demos and jamming new ideas every time we're back. It's still quite a busy time for us, we're only just coming to the end of the cycle on the first record. It's exciting getting back into the studio and coming up with fresh ideas.
There's always new songs floating about and we can't wait to properly get our teeth into the next album.

WHAT ELSE IS IN STORE FOR 2008?

Festivals are a big part of the year, we're looking forward to playing to the festival crowds again and seeing how they react to the songs this time round. Others than that we'll be as busy as ever and working on the next record. And who knows we might even get a little bit of sunshine just for good measure!

WHO IS THE NICEST CELEBRITY YOU HAVE MET?

Nicest celebrity, we get asked stuff like that quite a lot and it's tough. Recently we met Paul Weller, he got up and played one of our tunes with us at a gig in London. He's a legend and was a proper geezer! However I did get the urge to sing his song 'In the City' at him every time I saw him. I exercised self restraint.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST ALBUM/CD YOU BOUGHT?

Probably something quite embarrassing from the early 90's! I can't actually remember to be honest, or maybe I've just developed selective memory.

NME VOTED COVENTRY AS ONE OF THE COOLEST PLACES ON THE PLANET WHICH WAS DOWN TO THE ENEMY ... HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT?

I hadn't heard that actually. Nice to know that it is getting a bit of recognition and that some more people might actually know where it is now! One of the 'coolest places on the planet' , yeah lets take that. Though, I'd probably say one of the most real places. I love coming home.

IF YOU WERE AN UP AND COMING BAND IN COVENTRY WOULD YOU APPLY FOR THE GODIVA FESTIVALS 'G FACTOR' WHICH GIVES LOCAL MUSICIANS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY LIVE ON THE MAIN STAGE AT THE GODIVA FESTIVAL?

Definitely, it's a class festival and it should continue to grow!
Sorry to the select few residents who enjoy a good moan about it year after year, but it's good for this city! Any Cov band should enter this. It should be the biggest date in the music calendar.
Suppose you could always go and watch Bon Jovi again instead!? I don't think so!!!

WHAT ARE YOUR TIPS TO MAKE IT ON THE MUSIC SCENE?

As a band you gotta get some decent tunes together and practice your arses off! Get a demo together and get out there and play some mega gigs. You gotta have your live show nailed then just go and smash it! Believe in yourself and deliver it like your life depends on it.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF MUSIC COMPETITIONS LIKE 'X FACTOR'? DO YOU THINK THEY ARE CREDIBLE?

The first lot of auditions are hilarious lets be honest. But as it progresses and gets into the latter stages I'd say foregone conclusion and tend to turn off. As for credibility I don't know.
I wouldn't be willing to let Simon Cowell or the other one mould me and make all the decisions. However for the winner it could be their only opportunity and a dream come true.I wouldn't like to take the shine off it for the person who wins.
Leona Lewis has done alright and does have some credibility. Kym from Hear'Say is now in Coronation Street. As with the whole music industry it's hit and miss. Could be 'crystal on ice' or quite easily 'celebrity dancing on ice'.

WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE ARTISTS?

That fella who chopped his ear off was pretty sound! Haha you mean in music! Over the decades we've been spoiled for choice by some of the best music in the world. It's hard to choose just one but if we list: The Beatles, The Who, Zeppelin, Queen, The Jam, SexPistols, The Clash, Bowie, Oasis and The Verve, then I think that says it all.

SUM UP YOUR HOME CITY IN THREE WORDS?

I'd like to say 'home sweet home' but I'm aware I've used the same word twice.
For Coventry's future I'll say it forward, onward and upward!

Liam performing Radio 1's 'Live Lounge' pic: BBC

*Interview published in Coventry's "Feel Alive" magazine and typed up by robmacca.

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