 01/06/2006 justice
PLACE OF BIRTH: France
PERSONAL MOTTO: Separated at birth, back together for revenge
STYLE OF MUSIC (IN FIVE WORDS): Pop music
DESCRIBE YOURSELF (IN FIVE WORDS): Marlboro, repetto, perfecto, arpeggio, cremosso.
They’ve been called “too noisy for Daft Punk,” their manager thinks that they make romantic electronic music you can stage dive to. They’ve cavorted and distorted Britney Spears, released a quasi-religious EP and claim to be Christians. Or was it Satanists? They have played for both techno clubs like Bugged Out and Shine as well as Trash and Kill Em All. But they would rather be seen as a pop act. They are enigmatic, noisy young Parisians. No wonder Justice are kicking up a hot fuss. Few people would have heard the music they first made together and for that, Xavier and Gaspard are relieved. ‘Sure You Will’ appeared on a 2003 French compilation called ‘Hits Up To You’ - “like a made-up Eurovision Song Contest”. In 2004, they turned Simian’s ‘Never Be Alone’ into a monster club anthem that captured the mood of that year. This led to them embarking on a remix binge - Daft Punk, Franz Ferdinand, Soulwax and Britney. “It needs to sound fresh and spontaneous,” says Xavier. “We even find ‘Never Be Alone’ too clean now. We prefer it when it smells of sweat.” In March this year, the ‘Waters of Nazareth’ EP was released and managed to be both noisy and melodious. “It had been two years since our last EP and we wanted to come back with something thematic, with a different sound and image. It is important to have a strong concept.” ‘Never Be Alone’ is now titled ‘We Are Your Friends’ and is getting the full release it deserves on Virgin’s Ten Records imprint. It has already been hammered on the airwaves as well as being given heavy rotation in the clubs by the likes of Mylo, Tiga and Felix Da Housecat. With new mixes forthcoming from the hotly tipped Radio Slave with Spencer Parker and Lee Cabrera, this is going to be getting a lot of attention in the coming months. “We are your friends, you will never be alone again. Come On!” Justice are working on their debut album for release later this year.
What is your biggest achievement so far?
Letting DJ Hell discover Rage Against the Machine in July 2004 and the first time we came to play Munich.
Who are your musical heroes?
Rick Rubin, Maurice Fulton, George Martin, Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers, Paul McCartney and Thor Baldursson.
Tell us about your new projects...
We just re-released ‘Waters of Nazareth’ in a gold version, with some more remixes by Erol Alkan, DJ Funk and ourselves, enhanced by a bonus video. We are now working on our debut album to be released by the end of 2006.
What are your plans for the future?
Straight after the album we are gonna do rehearsals for a Justice live act.
Are there any artists you would like to work with?
No, which obviously does not mean we don’t like anything now.
What is catching your ear at the moment?
Kavinsky, Mr Oizo, Sebastian, Feadz, Uffie, Surkin, Para One and Busy P.
You’re having a dinner party. Who would you invite and why?
So-me the art director of Ed Banger records because he lives in the same place as us, so he can do the dishes. And he already knows we eat horse meat.
What makes you happy?
An English breakfast at noon with triple sausages and liver, then buying some white sneakers and Casio watches for Xavier and ugly canvas and musical toys for Gaspard.
What makes you angry?
When the liver is too cooked.
What was the last CD/record you bought?
‘Battle Hymns’ by Manowar. Mainly for the cover but great title too.
What is your favourite song?
Faves of the day are ‘Far From Over’ by Frank Stallone (Gaspard) and ‘In The Stone’ by Earth, Wind and Fire (Xavier).
JUSTICE VS SIMIAN ‘WE ARE YOUR FRIENDS’ WILL BE AVAILABLE THROUGH 10 RECORDS/VIRGIN ON JULY 3RD.
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