A Biochemist, Occupational Therapist, Arts Major and a Physics major sound like a stand up scholastic team, but it is actually half of the Glasgow indie pop band Belle and Sebastian. I had a chance to sit down with Chris Geddes, the keyboardist extraordinaire, to discuss politics, tour buses and the Glasgow scene.

The last time the band played the Northwest was in the wake of Sept. 11th, playing in Portland on that fateful day. They showed their support and sorrow for America by taking a moment of silence during each of their remaining shows. They played the Paramount Theater just two days later, the only time they have been in Seattle, and still had a good response under the circumstances. Chris shared his views of how he thinks America has dealt with the tragedies of 9/11. Chris feels that 9/11, "has been exploited by the administration as a way to sort of justify military plans they already had." Chris also stated, "The personal tragedy has been hijacked for political purposes. America was looking for justification to invade Iraq."

Chris and most of Belle and Sebastian have been against the war in Iraq since the very beginning and have been very outspoken. He feels a change in government is necessary.

Belle and Sebastian are looking forward to coming back to the Northwest. I asked Chris if there was much difference touring in America vs. the UK. "It might be trivial but the tour buses are laid out different. European tour buses are double decker with the sleeping quarters up top while American buses have a lounge in the front and back with the sleeping are in the middle. You have to walk through the beds to get around the bus. Some people like to go to bed earlier than others and they don't want to be disturbed."

The tour buses may be different, but Chris says, "The crowd is about the same everywhere we go. We have the pleasure of playing our lightweight music to most liberal Americans." And that crowd is growing for this veteran band with the success of "Dear Catastrophe Waitress" and the new single for "I'm a Cuckoo," which features a great Avalanches remix and the video for "I'm a Cuckoo" featuring the very talented star Shantha Roberts.

Forming back in 1996, Belle and Sebastian has had a long road leading out of Glasgow but is happy to see what is happening there. "There is a healthy music scene in Glasgow," Chris stated, "this is the first time I've felt like a new generation of bands is coming up." Chris joked that they "are the old veterans now." Some of these fine young bands include Franz Ferdinand and Camera Obscura. And just like our very own KEXP, Chris mentioned that he has discovered a great community based radio station in Glasgow. "I think Glasgow has become a lot more multi-cultural. It's great hearing something so cutting-edge coming out of Glasgow. My girlfriend and I will turn the station on while hanging out at the flat. I am listening to a lot of Bollywood stuff right now."

So should we expect some Bollywood influences on the next record? Probably not yet but Chris did say, "The band is getting more comfortable with computers and creating sounds so who knows. The songs lean heavy on songwriting but I don't know what direction Belle and Sebastian will go next." One thing is for sure; what-ever they do, it will be outstanding.A Biochemist, Occupational Therapist, Arts Major and a Physics major sound like a stand up scholastic team, but it is actually half of the Glasgow indie pop band Belle and Sebastian. I had a chance to sit down with Chris Geddes, the keyboardist extraordinaire, to discuss politics, tour buses and the Glasgow scene.

The last time the band played the Northwest was in the wake of Sept. 11th, playing in Portland on that fateful day. They showed their support and sorrow for America by taking a moment of silence during each of their remaining shows. They played the Paramount Theater just two days later, the only time they have been in Seattle, and still had a good response under the circumstances. Chris shared his views of how he thinks America has dealt with the tragedies of 9/11. Chris feels that 9/11, "has been exploited by the administration as a way to sort of justify military plans they already had." Chris also stated, "The personal tragedy has been hijacked for political purposes. America was looking for justification to invade Iraq."

Chris and most of Belle and Sebastian have been against the war in Iraq since the very beginning and have been very outspoken. He feels a change in government is necessary.

Belle and Sebastian are looking forward to coming back to the Northwest. I asked Chris if there was much difference touring in America vs. the UK. "It might be trivial but the tour buses are laid out different. European tour buses are double decker with the sleeping quarters up top while American buses have a lounge in the front and back with the sleeping are in the middle. You have to walk through the beds to get around the bus. Some people like to go to bed earlier than others and they don't want to be disturbed."

The tour buses may be different, but Chris says, "The crowd is about the same everywhere we go. We have the pleasure of playing our lightweight music to most liberal Americans." And that crowd is growing for this veteran band with the success of "Dear Catastrophe Waitress" and the new single for "I'm a Cuckoo," which features a great Avalanches remix and the video for "I'm a Cuckoo" featuring the very talented star Shantha Roberts.

Forming back in 1996, Belle and Sebastian has had a long road leading out of Glasgow but is happy to see what is happening there. "There is a healthy music scene in Glasgow," Chris stated, "this is the first time I've felt like a new generation of bands is coming up." Chris joked that they "are the old veterans now." Some of these fine young bands include Franz Ferdinand and Camera Obscura. And just like our very own KEXP, Chris mentioned that he has discovered a great community based radio station in Glasgow. "I think Glasgow has become a lot more multi-cultural. It's great hearing something so cutting-edge coming out of Glasgow. My girlfriend and I will turn the station on while hanging out at the flat. I am listening to a lot of Bollywood stuff right now."

So should we expect some Bollywood influences on the next record? Probably not yet but Chris did say, "The band is getting more comfortable with computers and creating sounds so who knows. The songs lean heavy on songwriting but I don't know what direction Belle and Sebastian will go next." One thing is for sure; what-ever they do, it will be outstanding.