[Si] TV

Famed British indie rockers, Editors, have been making waves since their first album, The Back Room. Now with the success of their second album, An End Has A Start, they show no signs of slowing down. Si Entertainment caught up the band's drummer, Ed Lay, on the road while currently touring here in the States. Here's an insightful look into the band's early days, life on the road, and their ambitious latest book of songs.

Si Ent.: Describe the type of music the Editors produce.
Ed Lay: This is always a tricky one because I guess people always have a different take on it. All we try to do really is cram as much emotion, passion, power, and exhilaration into the pop tunes we write. We play them with exactly the same force on stage.

Si Ent.: Do you define yourself by a specific genre?
EL: Well, not really. I guess we're guitar-pop. We want to cause a reaction to people whether it's lyrically or through the sound. Of course, we'll be compared to those bands [Interpol, Franz Ferdinand, U2] especially ones that come from the British Isles. I don't think we're similar to those bands. Maybe we have the same attitude. But I don't think we're the same as anyone.

Si Ent.: You have a unique band name. Are you guys heavy into news journalism?
EL: Nothing, whatsoever. We just thought the name was cool. It looks great on paper. It's just a name. Who gives a f**k what Radiohead means?

Si Ent.: What was the defining moment that made you realize music was your passion?
EL: I went to my first gig when I was kid. The environment, the feeling...to first hear a rock band got my juices flowing.

Si Ent.: How old were you?
EL: Thirteen; prime time to being influenced by things. At that age you're more influenced than any other stage in your life.

Si Ent.: How did your parents feel about your decision to be rock stars?
EL: They had nothing to do with the industry. When we first moved in together and told them we wanted to make it a career, they were a bit skeptical. But now everyone is on board.

Si Ent.: What gave you the confidence in the band's early days? Starting out can be discouraging.
EL: We knew when we were writing songs that we were more than the average pub band or student band. We wrote songs that other people liked, not just our friends. You could tell the response was good even at an early stage.

Si Ent.: What did you guys do for money, did you have trust funds or something?
EL: No, we all had day jobs. I worked at a shoe shop. I didn't have a passion for shoes or anything.

Si Ent.: What motivates you now?
EL: Travel mostly and the opportunity to play for people that might have not ever seen us otherwise. And when the really good gigs come along, it's the most intense feeling really. That's what keeps me wanting to play.

Si Ent.: Is there a downside to touring?
EL: Running out of pants. Especially if you're not in one place for long, [clean laundry] it is difficult.

Si Ent.: Talk about your latest album, An End Has A Start. How does it differ from the last one, The Back Room?
EL: A lot was written and recorded at the same time. So we went along making things up as we did it rather than on the first album which all of it was already rehearsed. This one is creatively different; more fun [and] fluid.

Si Ent.: How are American fans different than British fans?
EL: In America, we get to interact with fans more. They are more outgoing, wanting to take us out to the bar and get a beer.

Si Ent.: Do you like the food here?
EL: It's kinda s***ty. I've had the best foods from around the world. Everything here is covered in cheese--bad cheese.

Si Ent.: So we're presently having the 2008 presidential election. Which Democratic candidate do you like more--Obama or Hillary?
EL: Well to be honest, I don't really have an opinion. The election's not until November so I'm going to wait a bit. As long they're far removed from George W. Bush . . . but you know I'm not American so I don't have a vote.

For more on the Editors go to their Si profile here.