THE RESEARCH

PLACE AND DATE OF BIRTH: I was born in a city hospital on May 24th 1981.

PERSONAL MOTTO: Upon my arrival my mother said unto me “this is your life son, treasure every measure.” Nowadays I am in a rock band called The Research which sounds experimental by name but is far from it by nature.

STYLE OF MUSIC (IN FIVE WORDS): Ambitious, awkward, amorous, absorbed, analogue.

DESCRIBE YOURSELF (IN FIVE WORDS): Brave, conversational, defensive, esoteric and fiery.

 

Whimsical Wakefield three-piece The Research, were formed in the summer of 2003 by Russell ‘The Disaster’ Searle, Sarah Williams and Georgia Lashbrook, although it was some time before they were actually able to afford any instruments. Cutting a makeshift sight on stage with their two-piece drum-kit and bargain basement Casio keyboard, they managed to turn a few heads when the mighty EMI offered them a recording contract. On the surface, it seemed ridiculous that the label behind The Beatles, Coldplay and all manner of “serious” bands would want to throw money at such a seemingly ragged act, but closer inspection of their songs (such as the wonderful ‘Lonely Hearts Still Beat The Same’) uncovers a real craft lurking beneath the novelty exterior. Only time will tell if EMI recoup their investment in The Research, but in the meantime we can all enjoy rooting for the underdog.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY RUSSELL (THE DISASTER)

 

After a hectic night performing, I like drinking bourbon and ginger ale at the Travelodge and playing Texas hold ‘em until I can’t stay awake any more.

My biggest achievements are often things like getting on the right bus in London or not delaying an aeroplane at the airport. It’s organising and comprehending that I struggle with most.

I am always in awe of Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen. I don’t think you should have too many heroes because they lose value. One is best.

At the moment, me and my band are writing the second album and trying to work out how many guitars we can get away with playing on it but I think, as long as it’s a good record, it doesn’t matter, right? I want it to be an enriching mixture of gospel-motown, country-rock and Phil Spector.

In the future, I plan to win all the music awards under the sun. I want to be the youngest person ever to win a lifetime achievement award.

I am not very good at working with people because I am inclined to ruin their things but I always thought Jim O’Rourke was kind of like that (don’t get me wrong) so I would like to work with him on a live hip hop record.

If I was having a dinner party I would invite Chi from the Go! Team because she is very good to me and I only have two chairs at my table.

I don’t know about a recipe for success but if you want to be happy I know you have to treat people good and you have to say “yes” more than you say “no” even though that’s daunting sometimes and you have to make the most of what you find.

I find happiness in Johnny Cash and when my girlfriend is laughing and she doesn’t know I can see her. I also find it in Wakefield when I am with my good friends and at the Sunday market when I buy something that nobody knows the value of.

I find anger always comes back to me, even if I think I am angry with someone else. The other day I saw a girl spit from the upper level of our shopping precinct so that it landed on an elderly woman in the food court 40ft below. That made me angry but I didn’t do anything about it so it came back to me.

I haven’t bought anything for a long time but the last record I bought was ‘Tanglewood Numbers’ by the Silver Jews and that is a cool record.

THE RESEARCH’S DEBUT ALBUM ‘BREAKING UP’ IS OUT NOW ON AT LARGE RECORDINGS. THEY WILL BE APPEARING AT THE TDK CROSS CENTRAL FESTIVAL ON AUGUST 26TH. FOR LATEST SUMMER FESTIVAL AND CLUB DATES VISIT WWW.THERESEARCHGOPOP.COM