The Great Escape

Two months shy of his first birthday, and James Heaney is already taking after his dad. “He likes shouting and hitting things,” reveals Chris, former drummer with Desert Hearts, now happily established as the frontman of Escape Act. “So yeah. I suppose he’s a chip off the old block.”

Likewise, Loosely Based On Fiction, the debut album by the Belfast three piece, is as comfortable making a massive clatter as it is conjuring up sing-song melodies. On one hand, the buzz-saw guitars, brittle production, and lurches into unhinged noise, would see it nestle comfortably alongside your Husker Du, Sonic Youth, and Dinosaur Jr records. On the other, the wide-eyed choruses, smart lyrical observations, and giddy pop sensibility means it could slip in just as easily beside Orange Juice, Franz Ferdinand and even The Jam.
Floating like a butterfly, but stinging like a you-know-what; the ten tracks charge past with such urgency and vigour, it’s hardly worth Chris saying he’s in something of a hurry. We’ll take it as read.
“Thom Yorke talks about the fact that he has two kids – he just needs to work quicker,” he smiles. “He’s right. Since James was born, I think I just work quicker. A very dear friend of mine once said, ‘When I demo songs, I demo four songs. Chris, you demo four versions of the same song.’ He was right. But I’ve changed. I use my time more wisely now. Don’t waste any time trying to second-guess myself. It’s a good thing. Good for the band, good for my psychological well-being.”
It’s an attitude that bassist, Richard Dale and drummer, Alan Beattie also share. Since forming two years ago, Escape Act have given the impression of being a band in a hurry: releasing two well-received EPs and then hammering out the album at Chem19 in Glasgow with Andy Miller; while also conjuring up various innovative on-line schemes to spread their songs far and wide.
And all, it seems, because of a drop in the value of the dollar.
“I was in New York and the exchange rate was really good,” says Chris. “And there was this really great guitar there that I’d never normally be able to afford, so I just got it. I was always coming up with ideas on keyboards, even drums, and I’d play them the odd time to friends. When I got the guitar, and started to write on it, one of my mates heard them and told me I was hitting my stride.
I wanted to be in a group. I had left Desert Hearts and was content enough in my own wee world making my demos, but it started to gnaw at me that, really, I needed to be a bit braver. So, I just approached Richard and asked him if he’d be interested in forming a band. I’m not sure why. It may have been the fear of being trapped in that world, and never leaving my comfort zone.”
Let’s not mistake speed for ease, however. While Escape Act have managed to fit a lot in during their short career to date, it hasn’t all been plain sailing. Chris is the first to admit it’s taken the outfit a while to gel.
“I’m very open and direct but at the same time I need to have a relationship with the people I work with – and it takes time for that to build up and for me to feel comfortable being creative. I love bands that transform and change. Who don’t just churn out the same songs night after night, or record the same album all the time. So, I used to get very excited in the practice room almost to the point of meltdown. I believe that every beat counts, every strum matters.”
If Chris sets exacting standards, it’s probably understandable. With his former outfit, he has, after all, appeared on two of the best Northern LPs of the last decade. It’s interesting then, to hear his take on the chemistry thing – are bands born with it, or is it something that can be developed.
“Funnily enough, before this I’d have said it’s something you either have or you don’t. But I’ve changed my mind. I’ve been in three or four bands before this. Done the delusional school thing, where you’re pumped up by being friends, discovering music for the first time, just very excited by everything. I’ve also been in a band where it was there from the first minute. Where it was all totally natural right from the beginning, and it was like osmosis at times, the way ideas could spread without anyone speaking. Then there was this – and we needed to work at it, to get to know one-another.” Judging by the spirit of can-do optimism infusing Loosely Based On Fiction, it’s certainly there now. And with a load of new songs already in contention for the follow-up, it’s clear the trio are keen to ensure the momentum doesn’t drift. Even if there are other – crawling and teething – demands on their time.
“It isn’t a problem at all,” laughs Chris. “I like doing lots of things at once. In fact, we all do. We’re always busy and creative – it’s just the kind of people we are.”