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The Interview
What festival are you most looking forward to playing this summer – and why?
Can’t wait to play Wickham Festival again, last time we got Waterboys legend Steve Wickham up on stage to play Fishermans Blues with us, my first band Pele would never have been formed without Steve’s magical fiddle inspiring us.
Tell us about one/some of the most career defining shows you’ve played so far.
When we took a gamble to play a Christmas show in the big room at Liverpool O2 Academy 8 years ago with a 14 piece band. It could have gone horribly, embarrassingly wrong.
it was a complete triumph and a firm tradition now, we’ve had the likes of Miles Hunt, Space, The Men They Couldn’t Hang, John Bramwell, Supernaturals & The Blow Monkeys as special guests.
How did you come into this career?
I had a road to Damascus moment at my very first ever show I ever saw aged 14. I’d tagged along with all the other kids from our council house street to go to the Liverpool Empire, the lights, the stacked PA, the support act, the astounding noise, the merch (I bought a poster) all blew my mind.
But there was something else too, the band playing represented me and my class, they played with such righteous fury it struck me like musical lightening, whatever alchemy took place in my young self that night it’s still the artistic fuel I’m running on 4 decades later.
Any pre-show rituals?
Yes I go for a walk around the local area. I get very nervous before shows even now.
What was the first show you remember going to?
The Jam.
What was the first show you remember playing?
Ellesmere Port Youth Centre on the 24th March 1982. My first ever gig, it was rammed out, nothing could ever be the same again. We finished with Down In The Tube Station At Midnight.
One thing you wish you knew before your first gig?
You always need a really, properly good drummer in your band.
Tell us about someone in your team you couldn’t do without.
Morgo my roadie, been there since the start. Does everything.
How do you find working with Midnight Mango?
I absolutely love it, they are a big part of my renaissance. Sarah is indispensable to us.
Tell us about something you’d like to promote.
I’d love people to watch our new documentary starring Elvis Costello, Christy Moore & John Peel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-6w6XVKom8&t=16s
