In Conversation: Clinic’s Ade Blackburn On New Album, Finding Fun And Going Against The Grain

Across nearly three decades, Clinic have followed their own peculiar path, and tenth album Wild In The Streets finds them embracing a vivid mix of exotica, psychedelia and rock ’n’ roll. Beneath its technicolor sounds and cartoon-like humour lies a spirit of defiance: a determination to find freedom and fun amid the pressures of modern Britain.

We caught up with Ade Blackburn to talk suburban escapades, the strange appeal of easy listening, the Spinal Tap realities of being in a band, and why music should still take chances.

Wild In The Streets is your tenth album. What first set this record in motion, and when did you start to get a sense of its character?

From quite early on we had the title and the idea of combining that with the exotic and rock ‘n’ roll aspects. We knew we wanted to make something that seemed a bit more technicolor and cartoon-like with a sense of humour.    

You’ve described the album as taking the temperature of the nation. What aspects of life in Britain were finding their way into the songs?

There’s an underlying theme of defiance to the songs, still wanting to have a laugh despite the oppressive aspects of modern life. A couple of songs poke fun at the rise of the patriots and weekend warriors. Rather than just being negative though, the songs are about finding alternatives and still attempting to enjoy life. That it’s still okay to let your hair down sometimes.

You and I takes a sardonic look at showbusiness. After nearly 30 years of Clinic, what still makes you laugh about the business of being in a band?

Being in a band is a bit like being in a weird sitcom, there’s usually plenty of comedy moments which ha are mainly unintentional. The thing that still makes me laugh is the contrast between the ‘glamour’ of the public side and the reality. I think Spinal Tap was pretty accurate.

Clinic – Energies (Official Audio)

Exotica has become an influence, alongside dub, early rock ’n’ roll and Cabaret Voltaire. What drew you to the strange undercurrents of Martin Denny and Les Baxter, and how did that feed into your own music?

We’re always drawn to the obscure and things that aren’t fashionable, that’s far more fertile ground for getting new ideas. With being fans of psychedelia and 60’s music, exotica seemed a logical next step to explore. It’s superficially nice sounding but yes, has those strange undercurrents that are in keeping with our music. It fed into the songs by us using plenty of exotic percussion, sci-fi sound effects and pan pipes.

The title track draws on youthful days in suburbia. What memories or places were you returning to, and did writing it change how you saw those years?

I was thinking about the relative freedom there was growing up in the 70s compared to now, without everything being monitored or monetised. It did seem that people could work to live back then, instead of the other way around. One of the lines is ‘escapades without the guilt’, the joy of having no responsibilities and living in the moment.

Looking back to Internal Wrangler and those early records, what still feels familiar about the people making this tenth album—and what would surprise your younger selves?

Our approach still feels similar to those early records, wanting to do something different and against the grain. The influences and sounds have just evolved, our younger selves would probably be quite surprised at the newer easy listening touches and less reliance on noise and frantic playing.

You’ve said there isn’t enough music out on the fringes these days. What do you think helps unusual bands find an audience, and is anything currently catching your ears?

Finding an audience is so difficult now, at least there’s things like NTS internet radio and 6music that can still give unusual bands exposure. I really liked the Nrvs recent single ‘The Tanks are Coming Out’ and the folk band The New Eves. They both seem good at doing something outside of conventional indie rock.

When listeners reach the end of Wild In The Streets, what would you like to have stirred up in them?

A sense of playfulness and fun, that music can take chances and be more than just numbers and sales. 

Clinic’s Wild In The Streets is released on 30 October, available on all major streaming platforms. You can pre-order the exclusive, limited LP via Domino Music.

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