Editors Don't Understand Joy Division Comparisons

Since the North American release of the Editors' The Back Room debut in March 2006, it seems as if they haven't stopped. "We got bored in the couple of months we had off," explains bassist Russell Leetch. "You'd think we'd be looking forward to it, but it got tiring."

The band's second album, An End Has A Start, was released earlier this summer. In all its anticipation, the band didn't fall victim to sophomore record jitters.

"The writing process was completely different," explains Leetch. "We put Back Room together in three weeks, but this time we could piece things together with three months of studio time.

"And this time we didn't have as many songs — none at all, actually. We really just wanted to do and make more material for the live sets. For the first few records, you're just hungry for that. I can see jitters and writer's block being a problem with a fourth or fifth album."

An End Has A Start was released to critical acclaim and credited for maintaining the gloom and claustrophobia of their debut with slicker production. Lead singer Tom Smith was quoted as having been touched by death in many ways while this album came together.

"I think he means more in terms of his thoughts," says a hesitant Leetch, "and really not any specific events or people."

This was also the group's first pairing with producer Garrett "Jacknife" Lee (Bloc Party, U2).

"We actually didn't see eye to eye the first time, but he really wanted to make it work and make this record with us," says Leetch. "That's really flattering, to be pursued by a producer.

"I mean, usually it's the other way around. He's just really young and eager."

As the Editors came on to the North American musical radar last year, they were immediately pigeonholed as the British alternative to Interpol for Joy Division enthusiasts. Luckily, those comparisons are beginning to subside. "It's a lot more about how we've changed since the last record," says Leetch.

"We were more ambitious with the recording process this time, but trying to set ourselves apart in that sense wasn't on our minds.

"I can see how we get compared [to Interpol]. That comparison's big in the U.S. because they're big in the U.S., and they get asked about us, too. But we're two different bands, and we don't really care. We just do our own thing. And Joy Division never sold a lot of albums, so I don't really get that comparison."

Touring for An End Has A Start only began this week, although the band have been busy on the festival circuit all summer, and the new material is being well-received by audiences.

"The first U.K. fest was Glastonbury," elaborates Leetch. "We were the second headliners, which was great, and we played five new songs.

"Honestly, the response to 'Smokers (Outside The Hospital Doors)' was better than 'Munich.' With Glastonbury, you know the whole world is watching, and then with T In The Park, it's just the sheer volume of the crowd. I love playing Scotland. They really appreciate it when you make an effort to go and play there."

Here are the Editors' Canadian dates:

Sept. 8 Montreal, QC @ Parc Jean-Drapeau (Osheaga Music & Arts Festival)
Sept. 9 Toronto, ON @ Centre Island (Virgin Festival)
Sept. 17 Vancouver, BC @ Richard's On Richards