Nine Black Alps: with a name borrowed from a Sylvia Plath poem, you’d expect some dark, soul-searching pondering best suited for a dark corner with a Smiths album. But, to my pleasant surprise, the boys from the Alps are not only clever and engaging, but also make some rather kickass rock music. And they “don’t wear eyeliner.” I recently spoke through email with the band.

Interviewer: Emily Tartanella

How did you form as a band?

We met in a bar in Manchester where after a couple of hours discussing the sorry state of modern musical trends we decided to form a band playing only the kind of music we like.

You’ve often been branded with a “nu-grunge” tag, and compared with bands like Nirvana. Is this justified in your opinion?

Maybe. Bands like Nirvana and Pixies were the last ones who actually combined volume with melody without being cheesy so if we’re compared for those reasons as opposed to any fashion stylings or revival theories then that’s cool by me.

What was it like supporting Weezer on their August tour?

Cool, it was great being able to see them for free every night, I’d never seen the songs off Pinkerton done live before so that was some kind of ambition realised.

Do you ever feel at odds with the current “New Britpop” scene (i.e. the Kaiser Chiefs)?

Yes, I think the only thing we have in common with those bands is geography, plus we don’t pay any attention to what’s cool. So if we don’t fit in with what’s tasteful then we’ve done well.

How do you expect the American audience to connect with your album? Are you pleased with the British response?

I’m not sure what to expect from American audiences. Again we don’t really fit in with the popular forms of ‘indie’ or ‘rock’ so we might fall by the wayside cos we haven’t yet worn eyeliner in our videos. The British response has been cool because we get to play big venues without having to change our approach from when we first formed.

What do you do when you’re not on tour?

Write songs. Play guitar. Try and sleep sometimes.

What’s the craziest thing a fan has ever done for you?

Bought our record.

What are some of your ‘desert island discs’?

Beatles white album. The Muffs Really Really Happy. The Breeders Last Splash. Everly Brothers Golden Hits. Neil Young After the Goldrush.

In your press release, you’re extremely self-deprecating, even in regards to your songs. Are you proud of Everything Is?

No! pride is the downfall of modern man.

Are you thinking about your next album?

Constantly. Already written way too many songs. So am now way too confused to even begin to think sensibly about it.

Is there anything you would like our readers to know about Nine Black Alps?

That we love cash and gifts and animals and trees and mountains and sunshine and all kinds of stuff.

-Emily Tartanella 3/15/06