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18/10/2016 | 02 Acadamy

With their UK tour starting imminently, Sleaford Mods have already sold out multiple venues including London’s iconic Roundhouse; Iggy Pop has described the duo as “Undoubtedly, absolutely, definitely the world’s greatest rock n roll band”.

Between feeding his son and feeding himself, Jason Williamson takes a moment out of his busy schedule to talk their latest EP TCR, Jeremy Corbyn and their plans for the year ahead.

Sleaford Mods signed to Rough Trade Records earlier this year, why the move?

Longevity for one. The fact it is an independent record was a really important factor to us but also that they have a bigger scope for us to spread the word – Asia, Europe and North America.

Your EP TCR is out on the 14th October, would you say your sound has evolved compared to the start of your career?

I wouldn’t say it has too much, the only difference is that we’re playing in bigger venues but still taking about what we want. TCR is about using booze as an escape from life and how it’s a never ending cycle – which is something that we all do.

You’ve recently been involved in a dispute with the labour party, can you elaborate on that?

I think I’ve been suspended. Not exactly sure why but not bothered. Fuck the parties. It’s a broken system.

Do you still think it’s important to have a vote?

Yeah, I’ll still probably vote Labour but if people don’t vote then they need to know why they aren’t. People just need to understand why or why not they’re not voting, you know? I love Jeremy Corbyn and everything he stands for. Love him.

Sleaford Mod’s are known for the raw and insightful words about modern Britain; are you sending a particular message?

No message. Just saying what we want to say – talking about the issues that’s surrounding us. It’s up to the individual listening if they think it’s a message or not.

From the response that you get from your fans and media outlets you’re viewed as a band who represents the working class and addresses societies issues. As you’re getting more recognition and playing bigger venues do you worry you’ll be less relatable?

No, I don’t think so. There aren’t any English artists really do anything that we’re doing and we’re still talking about what’s going on and the end of the day, we’re honest to ourselves – regardless of a small or big venue.

Outside of the band you also act and currently have a Film in development called ‘Lost Dog’ which is a film discussing disabled rights, can you tell us a bit more about it?

The film is about the prejudice and hate crimes against the disabled community, highlighting the issues that are going in the UK right now. We’re crowd funding the film and we still have a way to go so it’s something in development. It’s because people don’t want to see the fucking truth.

What has 2017 got in store for Sleaford Mods?

More music, more gigs and an album. That’s all I can say for now. Keep an eye out!

14th November | O2 Academy

Courteeners are a band who constantly smash it. Selling out tonight’s show within minutes of tickets going on sale –  the Manchester group take to the stage of O2 Academy exactly two years on with their new album Mapping The Rendezvous.

Opening with arguably one of their most loved tracks ‘Are You In Love With A Notion’, the crowd instantly throw themselves into a frenzy shouting each word back to lead singer Liam Fray. There’s humility in their lyrics – it’s relatable, raw and reflective and their loyal fan base mirrors that. A mixture of delicate keys and climactic choruses; the quartet teased fans into an emotional whirlwind whilst swinging pints into the air (£5 pints may I add, but hey it’s Courteeners).

In true Courteeners fashion frontman Liam Fray takes to the stage to perform a trio of songs acoustically, attempting to get the crowd to simmer down and listen; not a one-man job but if anyone can do it, he can. A cocktail of songs from album’s St Jude and Mapping the Rendezvous, Fray plays ‘Smiths Disco’ ‘Please Don’t’ and ‘De La Salle’ – his vocals shining through and it is clear he has no problem soaking in the limelight.  Imminently the band regroup to finish their set with fan favourites ‘You’re Not Nineteen Forever’ and ‘What Took You So Long’ sending the crowd back into a sea of Harrington jackets and red stripe cans.

The British indie rockers haven’t been to everyone’s taste since forming in 2008. Liam Fray was once referred to as a “Poor man’s Liam Gallagher who’s too big for his boots” – but with closures of many venues from the iconic ‘Fabric’ in London to Bristol’s very own ‘Start the Bus’, a band like the Courteeners is what we need. A vigorous band with infectious tunes, owning a room full of dedicated music fans who have so much energy to shell out.

Courteeners are predictable both in their performance and ironically their choice of dates, but that’s their charm and that’s what sells out their shows. If it’s not broken don’t fix it and all that. I for one am looking forward to watching them again, this time next year.

30/09/2016 | Anson Rooms

Nothing starts off a set like the sound of police sirens, right? Rat Boy, real name Jordan Cardy, and his friends, started their gig exactly like this. Flashing blue lights and sirens fill the room which sends the crowd into uproar rebelling against authority. Figures fill the stage dressed in masks and wigs before revealing themselves as Jordan Cardy’s partners in crime. Rat Boy comes straight in with his latest track ‘Move’, leading everyone into instant mosh pits like he had attached himself to a human magnet.

‘Get Over It’ was definitely a major hit of the evening being one of the catchier songs of the set with those three words being repeated constantly that even the older fans found themselves chanting along. With only an EP out it’s a credit to Rat Boy to fill an hour’s set whilst consistently keeping the crowd pleased. It was definitely a performance which reflected in the champagne bottles that were being popped and thrown over the audience which engaged a lot of interaction.

A noticeable absence were the lack of instruments which are evident in the recorded tracks. The electric guitar which Cardy holds seems to act as more of a prop than an extension to his gig. However this seemed to have gone unnoticed by the majority of the indie teens who were more interested in moshing and throwing pints. A hectic environment, but Rat Boy and the crowd seemed to bounce of each other well.

It’s chaotic, its mayhem and it’s a lot of fun. It’s everything RAT BOY portrays; whether it’s through his music, his merchandise or his gigs – no one is stopping Jordan Cardy in his tracks.

12/04/2016 | Colston Hall

Newton Faulkner is currently on one of his biggest UK tour to date, he takes some time out to talk to me about his upcoming Green Day tour, superheroes and the new album ‘Human Love”.

You’ve got a busy tour with 19 UK dates, do you have time to relax?!

I’m being really good on this tour by being healthy as I’m wanting to lose weight and ‘shape up’. I’ve got a plan though, just naps. Lot’s of naps.

Any particular reason, anything to do with you joining the cast of Green Day’s American Idiot Musical? 

It does! I want to look my absolute best for it. I’m playing the part of ‘Johnny’ starting from May, it’s going to be great fun! I’ve been weighing up my meals and everything, breakfast, lunch and dinner. I want to get to 10% body fat, eek.

This is completely new territory for you, how did it come about?

I’ve always been a fan of Green Day and I’ve always wanted to do acting. I feel like if i’m going to do acting its got to be now, i’m 31 so it feels like the right time. In my first band we played a lot of Green Day songs and when I got approached to do it – it seemed perfect!

If you had to pick between acting and singing, what would it be?

Singing, of course. I might be rubbish at acting, who knows?! But this Green Day tour is going to be great.

Well we’re going to find out soon enough!  – You’ve got a really busy schedule then with this ‘Human Love’ tour and then with ‘American Idiot’.

It is really worth it, it should be really fun.

How has the tour been so far?

Yeah its a chunky tour, 4 weeks. We do it so we get 3 dates in a row then 1 day off. Sometimes the travel is insane – going from Scotland to Dublin was a loong drive! It’s great though, people have been dancing and really going for it this tour. Which is great.

How has the reception been for the Album ‘Human Love’ which came out at the end of last year?

Really, really good actually. My music has really evolved since my first album 10 years ago – there is still a lot of what I used to do but there also a loads of new stuff. Theres a mixture of songs which makes a great set list!

Are you still a fan of your previous stuff or do you prefer to only play your latest?

Yeah, the most important thing is what do people want to hear, you know? They’re paying for me to do a job, so I would never not play stuff. Unless it was an Album launch or something. Maybe in 30 years time I’ll be like ‘I’m not playing it anymore!’.

You’re a bit of a superhero nerd, if you could have a superpower what would it be?

I’d have more hands, I want more hands!

I’ve just said you could have any superpower and you want more hands?

I could play more instruments though! Ok, maybe i’d turn into the Hulk? I had a dream about that recently actually and it was great. Maybe those hands could turn into the Hulk hands – that would be a great hug wouldn’t it?

06/02/2016 | 02 Acadamy Bristol

They say third times a charm, Bloc Party are back with a new line up and with their fifth studio album and headline NME tour, I catch up with Russell Lissack to talk about all things new and some things old.

You’re headlining the NME tour around the UK currently, how is it?

It’s been great fun so far, we’ve only done 4 venues so far, we have no expectations when touring but Kingston was a pleasant surprise, the fans were lovely and it was so busy. You never know what to expect.

You played at Bristol’s O2 Academy –

I’ve lost how many times we’ve played in Bristol but it was a great atmosphere in the crowd and we’ve had a few days to explore the city previously and it’s a pretty city.

Even though organised by NME do you have a choice of who your support acts are? (Drenge, RAT BOY, Bugzy Malone)

We have an input definitely, we wouldn’t play with anyone that we didn’t think were good. We haven’t had a chance to hang out with any of them yet which is a shame, its just so hectic and busy that there is no time. We’ve met Drenge though and they’re good guys.

Your 5^th studio Album HYMNS is now out, how would you describe the sound to anyone who hasn’t yet listened?

Man, I hate that question it’s so difficult to answer. I would definitely describe the Album as a rebirth. But in terms of the sound that’s something that the listener should decide not for me to say.

This is your first Album since your hiatus in 2013, how has the reception been?

It’s still early days so you can’t really tell but it seems good, we’ve had people singing the new songs this tour that has been great. Fans can share their opinions quickly with this accessible age and that’s awesome but also scary. We’ve had the record finished for a while now and been playing it prior to the album release so its good to get it finally out there.

With two new members joining the band Justin Harris and Louise Bartle, did you know them before?

Justin had played in band with Kele and I before so that’s how we knew him. We then realised we needed a drummer and we saw Louise’s you-tube and she came into the studio and that was that.

How has the introduction of Justin and Louise affected the sound and dynamic of the band?

In terms of sound, the new album is more adaptable. Kele and I wrote the album and Justin came in for the recording but Louise only came in for the live shows when we realised ‘oh we need a drummer’.

With the rest of the NME tour and a few more European dates shortly after, whats next for Bloc Party?

We’ve already started writing new stuff with all of the bands contribution. We’re so lucky to have the freedom to write music and I appreciate everything that comes our way.