November 2007
What was your initial reaction to the news that the Sheds would be getting back together again?
Well I always knew it was pretty likely to happen one day, just maybe not so quite so soon. I'd not forseen it happening with Paul to be honest but as soon as it was suggested we ask him I thought right, OK yeah that makes sense, of course he was a major part of the band through our most successful years. We've all matured enough for any beefs we might have had to stay in the past. It's been good having 2 guitars too, it adds to what you can do musically of course. I like to describe the sound as "muscular".
What have you been up to non-musically since that last gig in York?
I opened an exotic reptile sanctuary on the outskirts of York and and BMX'ed across the Great Wall of China and then the funds dried up. Oh no, actually since that happened I've done fairly unexciting jobs in York, bought a house and dabbled in watercolours.
Whats the rehearsals been like? Have you managed to forget how any of the songs go?
They've been good, it all came back together really quickly to be honest. You could practice forever and still have an off night but we're ready to go now. I think it's natural to think, s**t I wish we'd had one more rehearsal. I've probably got the easiest job to be fair, I could have probaly pulled it off with 6 rehearsals. I said to Alan "It's like riding a bike" and he said well it's not just not falling off it's how quick you get back on. I don't fall off very often but it can take me a couple of bars to drag myself up off the tarmac.
Who are you most and least looking forward to going on the road with again?
Surely that's just like asking me who I like least in the band isn't it!? You're not gonna get me that easily! I'll probably annoy myself as much as anyone else annoys me but I reckon it will be a good laugh and we'll all be getting on sound. I once punched Alan in the face for pouring the vodka down the sink after I mithered him incessantly but I don't think anything like that'll happen again! Unless he's biding his time to knock me out with a haymaker. Someone said something about not arguing about videos in the dressing room any more. I think that sums it up very well.
Whats the best and worst thing about being on tour?
As it's been a while it feels like it will all be good so even the shit stuff like waiting about all day to soundcheck will be good. I am determined to eat better and drink less this time but I think i've been saying that since 1994. To be honest a month off work will be nice in itself so even walking round Oxford hung over on a freezing day doing a bit of shopping will be nice.
Give us some more information on people: in airports - they've played some gigs recently haven't they?
Yeah we've played a few supports recently, I'm really into it, it's good to still be making new music and I think there are some quality tunes. It has a bit of that quirky American indie sound to it which is what I'm into really. We're working on some new demo's at the mo which should be finished and coming on the tour. We're gonna have an honesty box for the CD on the merch stand, so don't take the piss!!
What do you think of the music scene today, and how it compares to the heyday of Shed Seven?
There are lots of good bands about here and in America, there isn't one predominant scene like with britpop so it's all pretty varied and healthy. There's always gonna be good stuff and then stuff like Orson & Mika.
If you could take only five things with you on tour (bar the essentials like guitars and amps) what would they be?
Anadin Extra
Clean underwear
A chess board
Fruit
ipod
Knowing that the Sheds are mostly big smokers, how has the band coped with the smoking ban? Can we expect you all to be cooped up under a brolly outside a fire exit at every venue?
Well as long as the fire escape is fairly accesible from backstsge I reckon i'll be OK, I think I can manage without one onstage. I think i'll need gloves tho else me hands will be freezing and I won't be able to play bass properly. I liked the story about the Stones sparking up onstage wherever it was. I certainly wouldn't want to be the person who approached Keef telling him to put his cig out, I can remember that bloke he clocked with his Telecaster.
Finally, have you got a message to all the Sheds fans out there?
You're mint & I never dreamt there was still so many of you. Let there be Rock.........