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Who are Love Ends Disaster?

We often wonder that ourselves. There are five of us in the band, Matthew Oakes, as the singer, Pete Jones on drums, Jon Dix and Robert Sadler on guitars, and Matt Dix on Bass.

Our first gig took place three years ago in Loughborough at a place called 12 degrees West. It was your typical kind of first gig involving Aftershock drinking dwarfs, a dominatrix, a giant head, a buffet and a tom bola.

Back then we were going through our Nu-Metal Limp Bizkit phase and had a DJ in the band. We also used to do a few classic covers like Springsteen's Dancing In The Dark and Jackson's Black Or White.

In truth I think that was the high point for us, it's been down hill ever since.

Who or what are your greatest influences?

When it comes to the music the likes of Yo-La-Tengo, Animal Collective and Pygmies From The Forest Of Yam are probably our biggest influences.

The longer we've been together the better we've become at melding these influences into our own sound, the last thing we want to be is a carbon copy of any of those bands, because what's the point?

Describe your sound?

It's difficult to describe your own sound. We know where we want to be, but we perhaps haven't quite got there yet. That's a good thing though as it means we're constantly striving to capture something and aren't sitting back being lazy.

What do you make of the music scene in Leicester?

It's probably healthier than it's been for a number of years due to the success of www.pineapster.co.uk in trying to create a sense of community.

The bands are certainly out there, but it’s just a case of trying to find the audience locally. At the moment, most of the more successful bands tend to spend a lot of time playing elsewhere in the country where people seem more responsive.

It's just a case of time though, with the quality of bands there are in Leicester at the moment things are bound to improve and people will start taking notice.

Who are your favourite local artists at the moment and why?

Mister Lee loom large like the cold majesty of pylons above many of the other bands in Leicester at the moment, because they're doing their own thing and it's rather good.

For the experience, probably last year's Summer Sundae. We learnt a lot from that, including that Patti Smith's favourite cheese is Stilton.

Worst gig?

Probably when we supported Youth Movies Soundtrack Strategies and Komakino at The Water Rats in London.

Do you have much of a fan base?

We've put out a couple of EP's now, the most recent being just about a month ago titled 'Faster, Faster…', both of which have sold well and had good reviews. Our gigs are usually busy too, so we seem to be doing OK.

Where did you go to school and what was the best thing about it?

Matthew went to school at a place called John Cleveland's College in Hinckley; the best thing about it was leaving.

Pete, our drummer, went to school in Melton Mowbrey; the best thing about it was the pork pies.

John and Matt, our guitarist and bassist, are twin brothers and went to school in Bury St Edmunds; the best thing about the place back then was Jon Peel.

Rob our other guitarist has never gone to school. He's not actually a real person, we fashioned him out of papier-mâché and sellotape. I think we did quite a good job.

Is being based in Leicestershire a help or a hindrance?

It's neither really. It's easy to say no one pays you attention because you come from a terminally un-hip city, but when it comes down to it if you have the ideas and ability then you'll do OK!Ìý

What's been your most embarrassing music themed moment?

Matthew performing an entire set with his flies undone. Thankfully no picture evidence exists.

We were recording recently in Rain Studios in Nottingham and did some new stuff, including a track called Ladders, which is all about the trials you go through as a teenager when trying to lose your virginity. At the moment it's probably the closest we've ever come to achieving the sound we want.

Favourite hangout in Leicestershire?

Apparently there's an unwritten law that we must say the word Firebug in answer to this question.

Most romantic gesture you've ever made?

If you've heard our songs you'd think none of us are particularly romantic. You'd be right.

What could you not live without?

Lemon and Coriander hummus and Ryvita. There’s nothing quite like it.

Biggest regret?

Not killing Chris Martin when we had the chance.