I once got asked if I was a brer or a chick, which I guess means if I was a boy or a girl. But at the time I thought he meant a rabbit

SHE IS THE NEW THING (single)
Out now; Loog Records 

Formed in the fish’n’chips’n’chavs capital of Essex, Southend, The Horrors are more end of the world than end of the pier. A mix of high-gothic, Dickensian dust and trashy garage punk, they’re the kind of band thrown up every decade – winklepickered, tight-trousered, black-shirted, with haircuts and abrasive songs that are hated and loved in equal measures. Faris Rotter (tall chap in the middle), Tomethy Furse, Joshua Third, Spider Webb and Coffin Joe’s live show is intense, grittily inept, and what rock’n’roll is all about. We hauled Faris out of his mouldering coffin and demanded he spoke to us.

What are you up to?

Writing new songs. Radio-friendly pop hits.

Really?

No.

Your new video is amazing, like a cross between Gerald Scarfe and Edward Gorey. Who came up with the idea for it?

The director, Corin Hardy. We wanted animation, and were definite about the style. We didn’t want anything novelty. It’s so easy with cartoon videos to be too glossy. We’re big fans of Edward Gorey.

It must have been very different to work on compared with your first video, which you made with evil genius Chris Cunningham?

Every video is different. Working with Chris was amazing. He works in a similar way to us, he’s particular. It took fucking ages. It’s a good job it was so short.

Who would be on The Horrors’ mixtape?

I’ve been listening to this electronic song recently by a French guy called Crazy Love. Serge Gainsbourg. Garage bands like The Seeds, The Monks, The Gruesomes. We love music, there’s not one genre we stick to.

Did you consciously work on your nihilistic live performances?

No. It came naturally. We didn’t want social realism.

How do you want people to come away from your shows feeling?

That they want to experiment, form bands.

Have you ever met any of your heroes?

I met Sky Saxon [frontman with 60s psych rockers The Seeds] once. We hung out in Camden for a few weeks. Then he went off on one of his acid binges, and I haven’t seen him since. He was a genuinely weird guy. The stuff we like has real integrity, it’s in its own world. We worked with Jim Sclavunos from The Bad Seeds, Sonic Youth and The Cramps, and he was telling us that to be a Cramp, you had to cut yourself off from your circle of friends and live only with them. You had to carry round a parasol so your skin didn’t get too dark. I think if you live something like that, and it’s part of your world, it comes across in the music. That’s something we feel applies to us. This is our world.

Are there any Horrors rules?

No. Although Rhys [‘Spider’ Webb] has been trying to get healthy and not eat many crisps.

That’s not very rock’n’roll.

I wouldn’t know about that. I’m probably the least rock’n’roll person in that sense. I don’t drink, smoke or take any drugs.

Why?

That’s the mental state I prefer. I like to be in control of my actions. I’m more creative when I’m not doing anything like that.

Is there a typical Horrors fan?

No. You see people on the street and you can’t tell if they’re going to shout abuse at you or shake your hand. People come to our gigs in polo shirts and baggy jeans as well as big hair and make-up.

What do people shout at you in the street when you’re all together?

Once, Rhys was walking down the street wearing a black and white stripy jumper and a beret, and someone shouted, “Oi, mate, you dropped your onions!” which I thought was pretty good.

Did he laugh?

I would have. I wish everyone was that quick-witted. I once got asked if I was a brer or a chick, which I guess means if I was a boy or a girl. But at the time I thought he meant a rabbit.

What do you read on the tourbus?

On the last tour I read He’s A Rebel, a Phil Spector biography.

What do you think of his haircuts in court?

Impressive, a big influence on my own.

You make fanzines for your audiences, what’s in the latest one?

Josh did a page on bears, he likes them. I made a girl-group CD. We did a page on the film Freaks. We’ve been collecting trading cards of freaks on our travels. You get them from antiques shops. We put in our favourite one, an African guy covered in tattoos with a bone through his nose. We try to give people an insight into our world.

Why do you think The Horrors divide opinion so strongly?

If you look at the amount of sh-t that’s poured down people’s throats, it’s no wonder they regurgitate so much. People make music they expect people to want to hear. With us, as with our favourite bands, lots of people just don’t get it. But those who do, do. And if you get it, we’re making it for you.