When The Catchmen first emerged from the in the late 80s, they were part of the same restless northern ferment that would soon define an era. They supported rising names, hosted Oasis at the Boardwalk, and dreamed of making widescreen, orchestral indie long before they had the means to realise it. Life, however, had other plans. Decades on, after BAFTAs, Ivor Novellos, film scores and global productions, Michael Knowles and Ian Livingstone have returned to complete something they began as teenagers. With Indoor Weather arriving alongside a vinyl reissue of Stockport Syndrome, the band are finally telling their story in full, this time with the depth, perspective and orchestral sweep they always heard in their heads.
Hi Michael and Ian. How does it feel seeing The Catchmen name back out there properly again, with both Indoor Weather and the reissue of Stockport Syndrome landing within weeks of each other?
It’s lovely. We are proud of both albums as productions and as a set of songs. So excited that hopefully people will discover them and hopefully us too!
When you first formed the band back in 1988, could you ever have imagined the story would take this long, and come back in this way?
I always thought we would magically get picked up and signed and become massive when we were kids. But as 16/17 year olds we had no clue. I was sure we would make it. We had Jonathan Dickens (Adele’s manager) come and see us several times pre Adele and Chrysalis make overtures but had no real steerage. In a way though I am glad we didn’t make it then as we both wouldn’t have done all the other stuff we have (I would have probably have been in an early grave too from too much of everything). If we had had a hit we would probably be chasing that high writing the same songs rather than continuing to write news songs we love now.
‘Stockport Syndrome’ told the story of a young lad’s first great romance. With ‘Indoor Weather’, you revisit that same relationship from the female perspective. When did you realise the story wasn’t finished?
The first album purposefully revisited three old Catchmen songs which frame the album (Hangover, Heartbreak and Jealousy, Curious Paradox) and the songs had a certain more youthful feel about them – but ended on a reunion in the relationship (aged mid 20s). The second album picks up that story through having kids and to dark times and brings us to the present day (a lot older!!!)
Was it daunting stepping into that female voice, especially when you’re writing about ageing, invisibility, menopause and emotional labour?
It’s interesting trying to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes -to see this story from a different female perspective and was good to collaborate with my wife, Jennifer Knowles lyrically on this (as well as Ian, musically). As a writer/singer/producer it was refreshing to take a step back and be singing back up- you hear things differently then with more perspective. The two albums complement each other I think but are also mirrors of each other.
When people listen to both albums back-to-back, what do you hope they feel by the time ‘You Alone’ closes the story?
We love the fact that these are albums to be played all the way through- which seems to be a less of a thing I think at the moment. When I think of the albums I love from Pet Sounds to Steve McQueen, Skylarking to Want, these albums all sound like colours and have a oneness to them. We are really grateful for anyone and everyone going on this journey with us and hope they feel that innocence in the first album through to the more life worn songs in the second – but feel the joy in life and living and creating throughout both (and get something from the experience). We hope people feel moved by the journey. Whether we are young or old we can still have the joy of these experiences and joy of creating something new.
All things must pass as George Harrison said.
Did you need those decades apart to make this record with the depth it now has?
I don’t think so. We have continued to write together even if we haven’t been putting something out. Having said that we perhaps needed the life experience to reflect back on both those younger times. Musically the work in soundtracks and film is reflected in the albums and that element has developed over time through working together and apart.
You were part of that original Madchester ferment, even hosting Oasis at the Boardwalk. Watching the current wave of reunion culture, does this feel like nostalgia, or unfinished business?
Definitely not nostalgia. I never look back and in fact the only time I have looked back it has been when asked about Oasis and then its bloody terrifying to see how much time has passed.
For me its always about the next project be that in film or music. Creating something new is the truly exciting thing for me in life. I can’t imagine playing just old songs without turning a page and making something new.
Watch the new video ‘England’ below.


