How would you describe your music for people who don’t know you?
London rock music.
You’ve just supported Graham Coxon in Exeter – how was it?
John – It was great that he picked us, especially as we’re all fans of his playing. The gig was a mission to get to from London, but totally worth it as the crowd seemed really receptive to us.
Ben – Yeah, I grew up in Devon and it was a great homecoming gig for me. I saw lots of friends from school that I haven’t seen for ages.
Alfie – It was amazing, the crowd were great, and I love the Phoenix Centre – I would love to go back. I managed to sneak into a gig upstairs, too – Juan and I watched Sound Of The Sirens, who were awesome. I think I fell in love with one of them, or all of them.
Who’s your ultimate icon and how have they influenced you?
Alex – Johnny Marr; amazing sound, both live and in production. He made me realise I could experiment more in the studio, take my time and really get the sound I wanted, something I’ve only just started doing.
John – John Martyn for me. He got me into experimenting with different tunings and weird jazz chords, plus his music is just heartbreaking.
Ben – Tony Williams is my favourite drummer. I grew up listening to rock music but when I heard his drumming I realised that drumming could be so much more than just keeping time. However, for me Louis Armstrong is my ultimate icon. His life story and his music are equally inspiring.
What made you get into music?
Alex – I suppose my first memories of music were my Mum playing ska music on a Sunday morning while she was doing the housework – it was so loud it would wake me up! The reason I picked up a guitar was seeing Noel Gallagher, Graham Coxon, Bernard Butler and all those Britpop guys play, which then lead me onto other types of music. So that’s where it started!
Ben – When I was a kid my Mum would put all the saucepans on the kitchen floor and give me two wooden spoons and I’d play along to Slade, Mud, Bowie and whatever else she was listening to. She loves glam rock.
Alfie – My Dad is an amazing guitarist, so it has always been part of my life – there was always a guitar knocking about around the flat, so it was probably inevitable. The reason for bass specifically was I went to school with a guy called Matthew McCormack and his ma hated me – she thought I was a bad influence or something. As a way to stop us hanging around together after school she made him take bass lessons, so obviously I took them up too. He dropped out after a few weeks whilst I carried on! Thanks Mrs McCormack, I owe it all to you.
What’s the best thing about playing live?
John – The fact that you never know how it’s going to go until you’re up there playing. And just those special gigs where it all just works and people are loving it, that’s the best thing.
Alfie – Being drunk when you start and sober again when you finish. It’s refreshing, cleansing even.
Which song do you wish you had written?
Ben – ‘Moon River’ (Johnny Mercer – lyrics and Henry Mancini – music) is my favourite piece of music ever! Well, it is today anyway. I also wish I’d written ‘You Really Got Me’ by Kinks. Ray Davies has written lots of my favourite tunes actually.
Alfie – ‘Here Comes The Hotstepper’ – Ini Kamoze. It’s what they refer to as a game changer.
What’s your weirdest music-related experience – it could be on tour, in the studio, a random encounter with a fan, anything!
John – In my old band we played this festival and some guy drove a mini tractor into the tent where we were playing. He left halfway through the next song.
Ben – Oh, I have seen a lot of weird things… Most of them are too X-rated to mention here though. Let’s have a drink sometime and I’ll tell you all. There was this one time in New York, this girl tried to get it on with me AND her dog at the same time in her apartment. The dog was like one of those handbag dogs with no hair. I wasn’t into it. But the next day I woke up with the dog on my face….
Alfie – I used to work with a really twisted sound guy who took me to a used panty shop in Tokyo – it’s not like a charity shop. Then he took me to help him pick out a paddling pool…