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Before the rise of punk rock, there was The Fall, making music with a cabaret of sounds and an early punk influence. For nearly thirty years, the U.K. based band has released over 25 albums of experimental rock and roll with a punk edge. Spearheaded by songwriter and front man Mark E. Smith, The Fall continues to evolve with an ever-changing line up of independent artists and a new album Fall Heads Roll.

“It’s a good group I have now,” says Mark E. Smith, singer and songwriter for The Fall and leader of the pack. Smith has been making music with The Fall since 1976, spewing out controversy and poetic lyrics. While the bands line up has evolved, one thing has maintained consistent, their integrity as independent musicians. Said Smith, “We’re not that sort of resurrection group if you get what I mean.”

Headed by Smith, their newest release Fall Heads Roll is 14 tracks of circus-esque, post punk poetry. According to Smith, the Fall’s new line up and ever increasing creativity has drawn in old and new listeners, alike. He said, “It seems to be working in Britain-cause our fans have been halved in age, ya know, it’s good.”
The Fall has continued to make music with a sound Smith helped pioneer nearly thirty years ago in the U.K. Of The Falls new line up Smith chuckles, “They are all about 10 years younger than me,” he continues, “our guitarist was about 6 when I bought my first car.” So was his wife I add; he laughs about robbing the cradle and asks if Narnack, his American record label, put me up to this. Smith continues that he picked up his band members off the street-I imagine that doesn’t include his wife.

Larry Trujillo --the man behind the Zero madness-- warned me about Mark E. Smith’s eccentric personality. “I think your editor has an imagination, love” said Smith when asked about the warning. But before long, it was up in the air as to who was interviewing who.

The Mrs. of 5 years, Elena Smith, has provided an electronic element to The Fall’s new album, and it rocks with Smith’s droning poetic vocals. On the phone his muffled British accent was difficult to understand at times. He could turn the words ‘I hate you’ into a droning ballad; maybe it was his interview personae. Smith said of Elena’s musical background, “She lived in Germany for a bit, so she’s into the German stuff, ya know.” He continues, “I’m into the reggae, the dub reggae thing…. The ska thing was the beginning of the end.”

As for The Fall, there is no beginning of the end. After 28 years of music making, The Fall continues down the road of success and musical innovation. So, how does Smith keep his creative energy fresh after 20 something years of music making? “I don’t’ plan ahead. I don’t plan ahead for more than 3-6 moths. If I ever get really bored with it I switch the TV or radio on. It makes me go on cause there’s always so much shit around,” Smith said. Life like The Fall always has new inspiration.

Smith said he finds inspiration from reality, and reading history and fiction books. He said, “I write a lot, I’ve never fancied being an author. It gives me a lot more freedom to say what I want…through music.” Smith writes lyrics, merged with poetic creativity and profound social commentary. His newest album’s lyrical madness is half Smiths writing and half Smiths improvisation during the recording sessions. Smith said the recording sessions in the US were amazing, “I’m very pleased with it. I played the pressing from American label the other day and I thought it sounds very good-very crystal, very pristine.”

Fall heads Roll will hit the record stores this month. The Fall will also kick off an extensive U.K. tour in October with a U.S. tour to follow early next year, although no date has been set in stone. According to Smith, his favorite place to play in the good old U.S. of A. is Texas. He mused, “I like playing in Texas. The shows in Texas have always been good; you have to really fight with them. What I don’t like is Seattle-I think it’s a big pain in the ass.” And for the East Coast where The Fall’s New York based U.S. label is? “Once you get out of New York it’s alright for the Fall.”