Courteeners are marking their 20th anniversary with God Bless The Band, a Best Of collection that frontman Liam Fray hopes will draw in new listeners. The Greater Manchester band are also set to play a series of special UK shows, including a homecoming gig at Wythenshawe Park & Gardens.
A Bookmark in a Fragmented Listening World
Describing the release as “a nice little bookmark,” Fray said the band are patting themselves on the back because “nobody else will.” He recalled discovering bands like James and the Happy Mondays through Best Ofs in his older sister's CD collection, calling it “an easy gateway into what became a proper love affair.” He hopes the younger generation will find the new compilation the same way.
The tracklisting may raise eyebrows among die-hard fans, but Fray explained the aim was to offer an overview of the band's career rather than just arena singalongs. “Rather than it being full of hits, I mean, let's face it - we haven't got loads of hits - the idea was putting something on that's important as a statement of where you are as a band,” he said. He admitted he wasn't bothered about including early hit What Took You So Long?, which “went down like a proverbial lead balloon in the rehearsal room.”
Reflecting on Growth and New Songs
Listening back to the band's work made Fray “quite proud” that they never made the same record twice. He said he never went into the studio with a plan, staying “quite loose” and leaving “no stone left unturned.” His songwriting has evolved too: “I think I've become a lot more relaxed about writing,” he mused. “Now I write less than I used to, but maybe I want it to mean more.”
Fray also reflected on his early persona, which was marketed as a Liam Gallagher clone. “I feel like we suffered from my naivety at the beginning,” he said, adding that being in a band then was “six beers and press record.” He admitted there were things printed that made him think, “why did I say that?” but said all those experiences have made him more rounded: “I'm in a much happier place now put it that way.”
New Tracks and Anniversary Shows
The collection includes two new songs, Luckiest Man Alive and Plus One Forever, which Fray called “an instant Courteeners classic.” He said he'd had the latter for a long time in different forms but it never fit anywhere until now. “I stuck to my guns and I love that song so much and it's straight in the live set.”
The band play O2 Academy Leicester on August 27 and a homecoming gig at Wythenshawe Park & Gardens on August 29. Fray joked about his pre-show routine: “Thursday we will be, you know, yoga, steam room, all that jazz. Saturday, let your hair down it's all about moderation.” He insisted the celebrations don't mark the end: “Hopefully this is just volume one. I'd love a double volume Best Of.” Courteeners embark on a full UK arena tour in November.
