Liars

Armchairs and Injuries

words by Jacob Carroll
photo by Randy Cremean

My phone rang on Sunday afternoon, a few hours before Liars were slated to perform at First Unitarian Church in Philadelphia. “I have bad news,” their tour manager said. “We have to cancel the Philadelphia show.” Due to sickness in the band’s ranks, Philadelphians (and this journalist) missed their chance to see for themselves Liars’ cohesive chaos. Even though Ben Franklin’s kite and lightning-grabbing key once soared high above our city, Liars lacked the necessary electric energy to perform that night: they were forced to make the only cancellation in their long and hectic tour. However, the band never sits still for long: they were back on their feet for their next tour date, and, about a week later, I got a chance to talk with front man Angus Andrew. From an airport, on his way to his next engagement, he offered me some wisdom regarding the benefits of illness, the new record, and the perils of performing.