Burning Pilot match the sonic assault of The Fall with uniquely twisted pop sensibilities and have spent most of this year garnering a solid following with their visceral live shows. Recently signed to Transgressive, this week sees them release their debut single “Accelerate” – a powerhouse of attitude and swagger that should propel them towards world domination. Dazed Digital caught up with lead singer Mike Codd to find out just what makes them so hot…

Dazed Digital: Why is the pilot burning, doesn't he have a parachute?
Mike Codd: Of course he has, yeah. Of course! All this time the answer has been there strapped to his back! All he needs to do is eject and release the tension. But he’s been too caught up in it all. Too focused on the minutiae; the lights and the switches… All it needed was an outsider with a fresh pair of eyes. What a relief. The pain is now over…
 
DD: Speaking of pain, I'm guessing The Fall are a big influence on you guys, what do you imagine going on a bender with Mark E Smith would be like?
MC: You’d imagine it as being a long, drawn out affair. Waiting at his house while he messed about trying to set the video. Then a bus or taxi on the label… odd mates… lots of sucking of teeth and counting of coppers… quarry tiled bog floors… ale and spirits snobbery... regurgitated stories about crisp rationing. Finally, a lock-in and some intimidation…
 
DD: What would you remember from the night?
MC: Your name, your date of birth, and your sex…
 
DD: On another subject, has anything particularly inspired you lately?
MC: I was outside in the early morning mist… the dew had settled upon, and illuminated, this incredible, elaborate weaving of spider silk that spanned a couple of Pyracantha. In the middle of it was this little spider… suddenly this gust of wind reared and momentarily doubled up the bushes; leaving the web torn and shredded… my immediate reaction was to feel pity for the creature. But then this pity turned to admiration as it started looping its silk again. Tirelessly recreating its structure… and this time better and stronger. After it had completed the rebuilding process, it made its way back to middle of the web, with an almost human dignity. Then I got bored and twatted it with a stick…
 
DD: Ouch, you’re pretty angry young men then?
MC: People who are angry shouldn’t be tarting about in bands. They should be out killing people or doing something serious… or in a secure wing.
 
DD: So you won’t be aiming your sights on the barricades anytime soon?
MC: I think it’s time to tear down the smoothie shops… or rather, for other people to tear down the smoothie shops… I can’t be arsed to get involved.

Burning Pilot play My Ex Boyfriend's Records, The Old Blue Last, Oct 23.