Jack's Blackpool Rock

Interview and Photos by Dawn

The last time that Jack Cooper played in Stockton, he got lost en route. Today when I call him to confirm interview arrangements, he's - how should we put this? - not entirely familiar with his surroundings. Thankfully it turns out that he's not far from his destination and, thus, a combination of our directions and the assistance of a passer-by ensure that he and his band - Gareth, Milo and Ollie - have soon located the Green Dragon Yard and the Georgian Theatre within.

Following their soundcheck, Jack and jovial keyboardist Gareth join us for a chat beside the River Tees. 'We're just overlooking the Stockton Riviera,' grins Jack, setting the scene for the tape and, indeed, the informal tone for the entire interview as we commandeer a table outside a riverfront restaurant.

They've also played numerous gigs in London, supported Alfie three times and played on 6Music to promote the single. 'We generally always get someone coming up and saying how much they enjoyed it,' smiles Gareth.

Jack's debut EP was released in July to rave reviews although, slightly unusually, it's only available on blue vinyl. 'We were trying to do something a bit more exclusive,' says Jack.

Yet more exclusive was the limited edition Jack Cooper candyfloss which accompanied the release. 'It was meant to be an alternative to rock,' explains Gareth, leading us neatly into the Blackpool part of the conversation and the fact that music journalists seem fascinated by Jack's seaside roots.

'I never thought it would be a big deal,' admits Jack, 'but as soon as you say you're from Blackpool, people think it's some sort of Northern Nirvana - which it's obviously not - but people pick up on it; I don't know why.'

Still, as demonstrated by the candyfloss, Jack has succeeded in turning this to his advantage. Promotional pictures on his website feature donkeys, the seaside and Blackpool Tower, whilst the town also inspired one of Jack and Gareth's favourite songs, Devonshire Squares.

'The whole song is about Blackpool,' says Jack. 'I was trying to write a song like Penny Lane, that sort of thing. Part of the reason I wanted to call a song after a place is if it gets out there and people listen to it and if they were to go there, they'd discover it's not exactly how they might expect. I think if you went to Penny Lane you'd imagine it to be this fantastic place, but Devonshire Squares...' he pauses and smiles wryly, 'isn't.' He explains: 'There's a really upmarket furniture shop there, then on the other side there's a sex shop and in the middle there's a public toilet.'

'A well-rounded place,' Gareth says succinctly.

'It's like Blackpool in a microcosm,' says Jack. 'And it's good fun to play.'

'Definitely,' agrees Gareth. ' It's a great one for the crowd - everybody gets into it. It's a piano stomper.'

Inexplicably, talk then turns back to Paul McCartney - and Gareth's search for a DVD of The Frog Chorus ('I had an argument as I believe there's fish in the video. Somebody else said "no, there's frogs" and, you know, I got the logic behind that, but I think there's fish in the video') before we return to the Georgian to meet band members Ollie (drums) and Milo (bass) and ask everyone about the last record they bought.

'The other week I bought Joy Zipper's second album,' says Jack. 'That was the first support tour I did and they're very, very good.'

'I bought The Concretes and The Zutons at the same time on CD Wow,' says Gareth.

'The Concretes,' answers Ollie before Milo adds, 'The Concretes and Jefferson Airplane.'