Lao Tzu once observed that “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished” – a reminder that not everything needs to be forced and frenzied. And though comparing the Taoist philosopher to the frontman of the frenzied, post-hardcore band mclusky might seem like a stretch, it is the very concept that comes to mind when speaking with Andrew Falkous.
To start, Falkous doesn’t even mention his band’s current tour during a recent interview with Celtic Life International. The omission, likely unintentional, reflects something essential about his approach: a kind of ease that resists deliberate design, an attitude that has probably contributed to the band’s longevity, authenticity, and continued appeal.
Originally from Newcastle upon Tyne, Falkous moved to Cardiff, Wales in 1993 to study journalism, though life had other plans. “I tried to deny my instincts and not play music, but by the age of sixteen, I knew it was all I wanted to do. My parents were both music teachers.”
If the early pull toward music had any adolescent ego, there’s no trace of it now. “I think I love music even more these days. Initially, my attraction to it was less pure – probably because I was a teenager. It’s everything now – the best thing in the whole world.”
Yet even the best things carry a bit of a burden. Falkous cites the administrative and social media demands of the industry as ongoing challenges. “The writing and performing part of it is an absolute pleasure. Experience tells you to stay away from the online comments, even though human nature compels you to read them.”
The sentiment echoes his words following the band’s temporary breakup in 2005. “Personally, I would like to thank all the people, places, and times that occurred on or near us,” he said at the time. “I’m grateful for the love and, to a lesser degree, the hate. There’ll be more music soon, from all of us.”
True to his word, Falkous reemerged with Future of the Left and then brought mclusky back by 2014 for live shows. “The original incarnation of mclusky was late 1997 / early 1998. This version came together in 2014 to play some shows for Le Pub in Newport but only became a proper thing in 2022 when we started to write songs.”
By 2024, new material followed, along with a North American tour. The delightfully unhinged People Person (Ipecac) is featured on the soundtrack for the 2026 Netflix film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, alongside contributions from Nick Cave, Lankum, and Fontaines D.C. Although Falkous says the band reunited “to raise money for a venue,” the audience was already there. “There ended up being a demand from us as well as an audience, which I think is the way it’s meant to be.”
The new material reflects Falkous’ tendency to go with the flow while pushing back against the pressures of the modern industry. “Bands are pressured to produce content in order to keep engagement up. I’d rather just release songs; they’re our content worth talking about.”
His approach to songwriting is equally straightforward.
“If a song isn’t working in any way, we usually fuck it off before the second chorus…”
With so many incarnations, Falkous is clear about what is important. “It’s difficult to explain, but it’s all about the connection, the memories of people and places,” he says. “Feeling free on stage – in command. Memory tends to pluck out the big or the crazy shows, but most of them are good.”
His criteria for a good show are not as sentimental. “Not getting too drunk. An audience that is as prepared for the occasion as we are. A good PA in a good room.”
Whether speaking about the Welsh music scene (“We weren’t ignored, but we weren’t boosted either – everybody chooses their own fighter”), or Cardiff in the broad sense, Falkous is a compelling combination of a bit of cheek with a Taoist twist. “Even though I’ve lived there for decades, I never felt as though my opinion was asked for or required. You just need to keep writing and enjoy the process. If you don’t enjoy the process, it’s probably time for another hobby.”
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