Here at Oasisteria we were very excited when we heard we had the chance to interview Tom from The Enemy. The band are currently supporting Oasis on their stadium tour and with their second album “Music For The People” reaching number 2 in the UK charts back in May, our chief writer Scruff spoke to Tom about life on the road, touring with Oasis and the bands future plans.
Oasisteria: Your recent album “Music For The People” has a much broader sound than the debut, is this natural progression or a deliberate attempt to change the sound?
Tom: Both. There were things about the first album that we wanted to improve on, but there was a big natural growth that happened over the course of being on tour for years. It was a fairly easy record to make.
Oasisteria: Who are the people in the albums title? Are we talking politically here or metaphorically?
Tom: Neither. The “people” are the people who buy our music. They’re the only people that matter. The ones who come to the gigs, stand at the front and sing their hearts out. They mean as much to us as we do to them.
Oasisteria: Your songs are inspirational to many; with other bands are currently doing the same thing as you. If there was a revolution in this country who’d be leading the charge?
Tom: I honestly couldn’t give a shit. It’s a pointless question because there will be no revolution. It’s impossible to demonstrate in this country. You can’t even come home from a holiday without having your retina scanned so how the fuck is this said revolution going to take place?
Oasisteria: The summer gigs are going to be massive, how are you looking forward to playing in front of Oasis fans? These are your kind of people surely?
Tom: Oasis fans and Enemy fans are the same people. It is simply going to be the best tour ever. And don’t forget that Kasabian, the most underrated live band in the world are main support, and proper Manchester punk rockers Twisted Wheel who are fucking amazing are opening a lot of the shows.
Oasisteria: If you’re offered the ultimate Oasis accolade of getting up on stage with the boys, what songs would you want to play? One Oasis song and one cover only please.
Tom: Songbird. Genius song, wish I’d written it. And God save the queen with Liam on vocals.
Oasisteria: How does it compare being the main act on your last tour instead of supporting other acts? Are there any bands that supported you which you can recommend?
Tom: Twisted Wheel. Lowline. Both great Manc bands. And frankly loading the truck on an Oasis tour would be an honour.
Oasisteria: What do Oasis mean to you and do they mean as much to you now as they did when you first got into them?
Tom: They are, and always will be, the soundtrack to my generation. Simple as.
Oasisteria: You must have been gutted when Liam took your recent comments the wrong way. Liam himself is no stranger to controversy so who would you like to tag team against on the current music scene?
Tom: I have no interest in slagging bands off, it’s pointless and life’s too short. I was a bit gutted when I heard Liam had taken what I said the wrong way. He’s basically a geezer, came straight over when I got to Heaton Park and was dead sound. I’m still a massive fan.
Oasisteria: Do you see your music as us vs. them in the class system grand scheme of things? Could an Eton going, fox hunting champagne swilling Tory get the same from your record as say a factory worker in Bolton or any other satellite town? We are all people after all?
Tom: I make music about what I see in my life. There is no limit to who can enjoy music regardless of class, age or anything else.
Oasisteria: The title 51st State has been used before as song title, but is it anymore relevant now? Is the UK more Americanized now that it was in the Reagan/Thatcher years?
Tom: Of course. But 51st was a response to our first trip to the states when the elections were about to happen.
Oasisteria: You will be performing at a number of Summer Festivals this year including Ibiza Rocks, Somerset House and V Festival. How do these compare to your own gigs and do you find it harder to perform in front of people that may not be considered “die-hard” fans of The Enemy?
Tom: I love playing to people who haven’t got a clue who we are. It’s a challenge and a chance to step up and prove what we’re about.
Oasisteria: And not to stir the hornets nest, but fast forward ten years, Could The Enemy be as big as Oasis are now?
Tom: Will there ever be a boy born who can swim faster than a Shark?
Oasisteria: Finally, what are your plans after this summer? A well needed break? Will there be any more singles released from the album or any more gigs to be announced?
Tom: I think we all deserve some quality time with Jeremy Kyle. Probably take at least a weekend off!
Thanks to Tom and Morad Khokar at Warner Music for the oppurtunity
The Enemy's Tom Clarke has revealed that his well-publicised spat with Oasis is well and truly over after the band joined the Mancunian legends on tour. Last month, the singer was quoted as saying the Gallaghers were "past it", prompting Liam to call Clarke a "little fucker", but Tom has told Xfm it's all been smoothed over. 
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