CityLife

Why the world needs Same Teens

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT: Same Teens

FRESH from making their anarchic presence felt at the Manchester International Festival – via a city centre window display/documentary thing and a riotous afterparty featuring everybody’s favourite indie-based popstars Mystery Jets – Same Teens are back with the latest issue of their XOX fanzine.

Here, writer Jade French loads our ears with some pearls of teenage wisdom.

We got together ‘cos we were sick of sneaking past bouncers
“It all came about in 2007 when we met at the Koffee Pot in Manchester and basically decided there was nothing we could do to go out and listen to good music without trying to sneak past bouncers (and failing every time). We finally managed to put on our first event two Julys ago and it's just gone from there.”

Same Teens: anti apathy
“The world just needs people who actually care enough to try something new and to act on their ideas. I always thought that there was an apathy to our generation but since starting Same Teens we've seen so many people who are out there doing their own thing and trying to make their mark on the world.”

Our manifesto? Get involved, have an opinion
“We just think people should get involved with the things they want and show it really doesn’t matter what age you are - 19 or 91, you can still have an opinion on things. Why shouldn’t people be able to take photos, write about music, style a fashion shoot and DJ at a club night just because they’re not ‘old enough’?”

XOX was just something that came about naturally
“We had been interviewing people and reviewing gigs we went to and stuff and just putting it in our MySpace blog. Then we decided we should make it into a proper online fanzine. It combines everything we love doing - Ryan designs, Hannah styles and organises the fashion stuff and I write and edit the content.  I don't think we really expected it to go as well as it has done. We've had an offshoot in Australia set up called XOZ and have people helping us promote bands in Japan. Sky Ferreira from LA has written columns for us - it's turned into a global thing!”

Mystery Jets, who we put on at MIF, mean more than The Enemy ever will
“Mystery Jets make music which makes people care about music again. You could have a million bands who sound like The Enemy but their music seems so pale in comparison. Mystery Jets have a real passion for their music which translates to people.”

Going out is more fun now I’ve got ID
“I'm 18 now so at least getting into places is stress-free. But I think my experiences of going out are the same as anyone’s - to have fun, dance, listen to music and see mates. I don't think that being a certain age has anything to do with that.”

Manchester clubbing is better than it’s been for ages
“Clubs like Now Wave and Bring on the Dancing Horses are bringing some of the best new bands around to Manchester. There's a lot of diversity in Manchester's clubbing scene which is lacking in other cities. We're pretty lucky really.”

Madchester: enough is enough
“It's a wonderful musical heritage but it's not really a fair representation of what Manchester is like now.”

You cannot beat a bit of Beyoncé
“Which song is guaranteed to pack a dancefloor? That's pretty hard. I'd say 'Single Ladies' is pretty much foolproof because you can do that stupid hand dance thing even when drunk. Or maybe 'Hustler' by Simian Mobile Disco.”

XOX 13 is out now. Click the link to the right to have a read.