To mark the 20th anniversary of Maxïmo Park’s debut album ‘A Certain Trigger’, Joanna Long spoke with frontman Paul Smith ahead of the band’s UK anniversary tour, which includes two homecoming shows in Newcastle. We talked about revisiting the youthful, energy-saturated, critically acclaimed record two decades on, the surprises unearthed for the reissue, the enduring spark of live performance, and what it means to still feel part of the North East music ecosystem after all these years.
It’s been twenty years since ‘A Certain Trigger’. How does that milestone feel from where you’re standing now?
It feels unusual because you don’t normally think of your life in these landmark moments. You’re usually just moving from one thing to the next. But we’ve spent the last year working on the reissue, digging through old demos and photographs, and rehearsing for the anniversary shows, so I’ve had more time than usual to properly assess that era. I’m proud of the record. There are little things you smile or laugh about because you’re older now, but those songs were written with the thoughts and influences of a young man in his twenties. The spirit of it still rings true, and I think that’s why people continue to connect with it.
When you originally made the album, was there a particular impression you hoped it would make?
I wasn’t really a singer when I joined the band. I thought, maybe I can write lyrics, let’s see what happens. I wanted it to feel exciting and immediate, but also reflective and a bit cerebral. The band already had great songs, which gave me a safety net. Everything should matter in a band: the drumbeat should be as important as the rhythm and the lyrics. I’d like to think there was a bit of everything in there for people. There are some very specific observations, but also a universal aspect that comes from honesty, rather than aiming to make something that everybody’s going to like, which often ends in bland music.
The reissue digs up demos and B-sides. How did you decide what made the cut?
I wanted it to be interesting for both superfans and more casual listeners. There are multiple demos of some songs, but I chose versions that felt genuinely different to the final album, or that showed who we were at the time. Every album should be a document of its era, and the reissue follows the same principle. Some B-sides are raw, or even a bit silly, but that’s part of being a young band finding its feet. Mostly, though, I felt a real sense of pride listening back, and a bit of amazement at how much we managed to do with limited resources.
You’re known for being an energetic and charismatic frontman. Where does that come from?
It was obviously always in there somewhere. Friends and family know that side of me, but it was strange at first to be on a stage trying to get people’s attention while singing quite emotional or introspective songs. I dress up and lean into the artifice of performance. I only perform that way because I genuinely believe in the music. If the crowd is living the moment, I want to live it with them. Even after all these years, I still want to respond to what’s happening in front of me rather than going through the motions.
What keeps the band relevant to itself twenty years on?
We’ve always tried to evolve without abandoning what made us good in the first place. The DNA of ‘A Certain Trigger’ still exists in our newer albums, even if the sound has changed. We’ve had families, side projects and solo records, but we still share that spark and excitement about music, about working together, and about the things we might come up with as a group. That curiosity is really important.
Homecoming shows in Newcastle must feel different.
There’s an extra energy, undeniably. We’ve lived in the North East for years and we genuinely feel part of the community. The last time we played the City Hall in Newcastle, the crowd sounded like we’d scored a goal after every song. People have stuck with us, they still buy tickets and turn up, and that means a huge amount to us.
Do you still feel connected to the current North East music scene?
Absolutely. I still go to gigs at places like the Cumberland Arms and see younger bands with their own influences and excitement. That’s how it should be. I recently took part in a panel in Sunderland for young musicians. They might not even know Maxïmo Park, but it’s nice to give something back. Being honest and doing your own thing is the best advice I can give to help deal with the ups and downs. You have to believe in what you’re doing.
And finally, without wishing the tour away, what’s next for Maxïmo Park?
We’re heading off to Europe in March and then on to Australia. Hopefully we’ll talk about new music while we’re travelling. We’ve been slower with writing because of life, responsibilities and solo projects, but Maxïmo Park is still the main thing for all of us. I’d like to think there’s plenty more to come.
To find out more about Maxïmo Park’s upcoming tour, head to maximopark.com.
