Nothing catapults you to the top of your game like a quick witted and equally furious guitar driven album like The Crib’s third studio release Women’s Needs, Men’s Needs, Whatever. Of course, it doesn’t hurt with seasoned veteran Alex Kapronos of Franz Ferdinand fame helming the production booth. But these three brothers from West Yorkshire are more than just a slick sound and tightly produced wonder. Their live acts are often times seen as a riotous event - just like their do-it-yourself work ethic. Writing on the road and selling out both large and small venues have garnered them a strong sub following that is quickly melting onto the mainstream ears of our deaf airwaves - all of which has been done seemingly on their terms. We sat down with twins Gary and Ryan Jarmin to discuss their first proper US release and how the success of their latest pans out on the future.

Generic question: how did you guys finally break into the scene?

Gary Jarmin: We were living in Wakefield which is where we all grew up. And for lack of a better word we were bored because there was nothing to do. We were all into music for a long time - ever since we were kids, really. So were looking for something to do. We recorded a demo and it caught a lot of interest quickly. We were kinda lucky that people were interested in the band straight away. I guess it was like the right time in the UK - 2002 UK music was shit. I’m not saying its any better right now. But there wasn’t much going on. When people got hold of the demo there was a lot of interest straight away. [Grinning] We’re kinda lucky that way I guess.

It’s not like here where we would be a band on a campaign to save Darfur or something. We keep it real to ourselves by playing live as much as possible. That’s not how we do stuff. We keep things on an organic level.

And now look at you - your playing large venues and traveling across the pond to the states. A lot of time on the road?

Gary: A lot of time on the road.

Ryan Jarmin: It’s been good but yeah, a lot of traveling.

Lets talk about Women’s Needs, Men’s Needs, Whatever.

Gary: It’s definitely the record we’ve gotten the most out of so far. The second record [The New Fellas] in the UK really achieved a lot for us. We were a small band on a small indie label. But we had a good fan base already built up so when some of our songs went into the charts, we were all kinda caught surprise by it all. That helps but I’m really proud with how [Women’s Needs…] went.

Ryan: It’s definitely my favorite record. As far as looking at is as breaking out - we really don’t look at it that way. We’re not going to record with certain people to make it radio friendly. People just like it how it is and that’s good. We obviously want each record to be better than the last.

But you don’t see this as being the album to push you over? The true mesh of punk and rock surpasses much of what evades artists and bands in that it sounds real and not hashed in a studio.

Gary: It’s exciting. We record these songs that are more with us and it’s interesting to see what people think. We’re just happy that they took it. At least in the UK, it was very organic how it progressed. It’s not like here where we would be a band on a campaign to save Darfur or something. We keep it real to ourselves by playing live as much as possible. That’s not how we do stuff. We keep things on an organic level.

Going with that thought then, what’s it been like moving from the smaller labels to a larger representation like Warner Bros.?

Gary: As an indie rock band, we definitely thought a lot about it. We were with Witchita for a long time. We were still, like, very much that [indie] way. But we made sure that when we went to this label we would still stay with [Witchita] back in the UK. We really didn’t have a record out in the US before though - our first two stayed local distribution. So this is the first real campaign we’ve done with a label. But, and I don’t want this to sound naïve, I think they trust us with how we did stuff before [they arrived]. We aren’t doing these big sets or anything. And it’s really been okay. It wasn’t nearly as scary as we built it up to be. After doing two records previously, everyone knows what this bands about. The label knows what the bands about. It’s not like they are going to change us - there’s no way they can really do that. I don’t want to do that anyway.

I guess it was like the right time in the UK - 2002 UK music was shit.

Ryan: They’ve given us a lot of leeway.

Well feel free to arrogant about this then: when you guys finished did you know this was going to be the one for you that would help launch you to the next level of popularity?

Ryan: We don’t really think about it. We don’t have that mindset.

Gary: It’s really about enjoying it all on the same level we did originally. If I were constantly thinking ‘This record is going to make me millions of dollars,’ I’d spend a lot of time disappointed really.

Ryan: We aren’t about competing with other bands. That’s not what we’re about. It’s not the way we view this. It’s about constantly writing songs and playing shows.

Gary: It’s not like we don’t appreciate how well it’s been received.

Ryan: Oh no, it’s not like that at all. But I’m saying we never really viewed things in trying to be as famous as possible.

Gary: I just wanted to make a record I was proud of. And I am. If other people like it then that’s great.

+ review: The Cribs - Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever
+ video: The Cribs ‘Men’s Needs’