Early October 2007
I'm asking everyone this, but what have you been up to since that final gig in December 2003?
Musically…I’ve been playing the odd gig with a singer called Danny Slack, otherwise I’ve had a few attempts at starting a new band which haven’t come to fruition. I’m still looking for a singer to write with and have a load of ideas sitting on my computer so I’m confident it will come together eventually. To keep the wolf from the door I teach guitar and also work for the railways in York. It was strange going back to having a ‘normal’ job but nowadays when I pick up a guitar it’s purely for pleasure and I kind of like that really, particularly after the problems we had with record companies towards the end.
Did you ever see the reunion coming around as quickly as this?
For me it was a case of when it felt like the right time, not waiting for X amount of years to go by. We could have left it longer but as I think Alan mentioned it’s probably best to do it now when we all still vaguely look ok and still have our hair etc.
What's your reaction to the massive interest in the upcoming tour?
It’s great. People in the media really do love to diss the band and I think it proves a point. You wouldn’t see Menswear doing this would you?
We've all seen that video of you playing swingball with Paul Banks. How did you react when you found out you were reforming with the addittion of Paul? Had you had any contact with him before the reunion was mooted?
The idea for us both to be in the band had been mentioned quite a while back so I’d had time to think about it. It was quickly obvious when we first met to discuss reforming that it would work out. We couldn’t have reformed without him as far as I’m concerned. I was a bit worried if he’d want two guitarists in the band but he was totally up for it. Until recently I’d not had any contact with Paul though I used to see him a lot when I was first in the Sheds as we worked together in a record shop. Actually thinking about it he took me out for lunch once and I never returned the favour, Paul I owe you lunch.
And, what's it been like sharing the guitar duties with Paul? Have you had to learn lots of new parts, and vice-versa for him?
It’s been totally refreshing, the songs sound better than ever I reckon. The guitar parts have changed a lot, straight away Paul was coming round to mine with ideas for how we were going to work it all out. It could have all gone a bit Thin Lizzy but we luckily we both know where to draw the line. Having said that there will certainly be a couple of guitar ‘moments’ on this tour so if you’re into guitars you’ll love it…otherwise run for the bar.
This coming tour will be your third spell in the band, one thing that many fans have asked me in the past is why you left in 1993?
Because I was an absolute blithering idiot?
Seriously it’s hard to remember. I still feel guilty about it sometimes. I think at the time I wanted do something quite raw and less poppy so I left Shed Seven and formed another band that was more like Iggy and the Stooges or something. We had some great songs, Polydor showed interest but it fell apart because I didn’t get on with the rest of the band. Meanwhile the Sheds were racing up the charts with ‘Going for Gold’. Needless to say years of bitterness and regret followed ; )
What's the rehearsals like at the moment?
Becoming a bit tedious to be honest. Some things you simply can’t rehearse e.g. getting hammered every night for a month.
What rig will you be using on the upcoming tour?
Hiwatt amps and mainly Paul’s telecaster. The Les Paul guitar/Marshall amp combination was good but it did start to go a bit ‘AC/DC play the songs of Shed Seven’ so it wasn’t ideal really. I sold the Marshall stuff to a long term fan who plays gigs regularly which was nice. The Les Paul I’m keeping for when I’m fifty and want to play jazz. Sorry this is getting a bit boring isn’t it?
What are you lookig forward to most about the jaunt round the country?
Being back on stage will be a massive buzz. I just love playing along to Alan’s drums cranked up dead high in the monitors. Also I’m very interested to see what the fans have to say about the ‘new’ line up.
Any messages for the fans?
Don’t tell me if you think it’s rubbish.