Killer Born Man: Andy Falkous

Andy Falkous (stripe-shirted wiseguy above) is the guitarist/synth-abuser/singer for FUTURE OF THE LEFT, the best thing to come out of Wales since Tom Jones and Torchwood. Curses, FOTL's debut, is a glorious Molotov cocktail of lyrical non sequiturs and tangled guitar lines, stirred by a rhythm section (bassist Kelson Mathias and drummer Jack Egglestone) heavier than Godzilla's swinging scrotum. (I guess in the U.K., that would make them "the large lizard's bollocks"). In addition to knowing their way around guitar necks, Falkous (formerly of Mclusky) and Mathias (late of Jarcrew) are world-class heckler neutralizers, always at the ready to provoke the most benign audiences or bitchslap the most dullard loudmouth. (Plenty of those instances were captured for posterity on their tour-only live album, Last Night I Saved Her From Vampires. What, you didn't buy it when they were on tour with Against Me! and Ted Leo? Come on, people...

Regarding your appearance on the Against Me!/Ted Leo trek, were the Lefties greeted as liberators or as annoyances?

Neither, but in general, it went pretty damn well. Gainesville and Philly were a little half-dicked and Cincinnati somewhat medium-whelmed, but the reactions have been far and beyond anything we could have expected. St.Petersburg, New York, Detroit (against all fucking odds) and D.C. were all particularly satisfying although not without the usual technical difficulties, guitars breaking and blood. Y'know, the usual.

You've articulated in interviews that you strongly feel your band could make inroads in America. Has this AM! trek strengthened that resolve or are Americans just a bunch of tin-eared rubes that couldn't tell an exciting band if said outfit were bending their grandfathers over their living-room couch?

Interesting image, thanks. The sheer quantity of Against Me and Ted Leo/Pharmacists fans of all ages, sizes and haircuts who came up to us unprompted and say they've enjoyed the show made the trip worthwhile. There was no point in us doing a headline tour when we would have been playing to the same people who went to see Mclusky. Get them young, get them enthusiastic and help them to expand their musical horizons a little.

Ultimately we just have to put ourselves out there, doing what we do and see what the hell happens. There are no certainties in this game, but I have no fear whatsoever.

While being furious players, you and Kelson are pretty fearless heckler slayers, as well. Was there a notable moment during this tour where you were impressed by your own between-song savagery? Were you and Kelson invited to any of our fine American parking lots to receive a complimentary beatdown?

Wise (wo)men know that pride comes before a fall, so I won't regale you with any examples of our biting wit. The key thing is to be yourself and to never go on stage with a script. No beatdowns as yet. People tend to listen; if they don't, we usually have the crowd on our side, that seething mass of flesh.

What are FOTL's next plans regarding America? Or are you running away after we elect a new president?

We'll be back if we're wanted, hopefully in a slightly better van. A headline tour, such as it is, will probably have to wait until we have a new record out; then we can bring the full, ridiculous show, unbridled sweat and all.

If you guys elect that sweating psychotic and his barmy mini-Margaret-Thatcher-with-honey-mustard-glaze sidekick, I fear the rest of the countries of the world may simply move planets in order to escape. Bush even made the British feel sorry for the French, which is quite an achievement. Ha. "Freedom fries," my fucking cock.

I know you're loathe to recommend any British bands. So let me put it this way: Which British bands should Americans throw lots of debris at if they come over?

Only cowards, idiots and friends playing pranks throw things at bands. Don't do it. Go home the second the urge takes hold and do something useful, like learning to cook. I'll recommend you some British comedy instead, whether for purchase or illegal download; your choice. The Thick Of It, Peep Show, Snuff Box and The League Of Gentlemen are particularly fine. For those with shorter attention spans, which isn't always a bad thing, Spaced or The IT Crowd. That's some pretty fucking funny shit right there.

You've got to allow me to thank Against Me!, Ted Leo and their crews as well. They've been the perfect hosts and touring partners. If you don't, I warn you, I'll start a ska band.