The band was filmed on their way to the show, as well as backstage and on stage during their performance. See what goes on behind the scenes and get a detailed look at The Script performing at one of the largest festivals in the UK.

Head over to the band’s official site for more information and news on where to catch them live!

Watch The Script backstage at V Festival video:

Buy Music:

The Script on amazon.com

The Script on amazon.co.uk

The Script Official Website

Following Paolo Nutini’s emphatic 12-date UK Tour, triumphant Radio One Big Weekend Show and sublime performance on Jools Holland in May, Paolo announces a 15-date Autumn UK tour on the same day that he releases his hugely impressive new album ‘Sunny Side Up’, out today.

Preceding the new 15-date tour are festival shows at Isle of Wight, Glastonbury, T in The Park, Oxygen and V, as well as tours in America and Europe.

Paolo Nutini 2009 UK tour dates:

(Dates and information subject to change.)

September 2009
Sun 27th BLACKPOOL, Empress Ballroom
Mon 28th NOTTINGHAM, Rock City
Tue 29th BIRMINGHAM, Academy
Wed 30th LONDON, Hammersmith Apollo

October 2009
Fri 2nd BOURNEMOUTH, BIC Solent Hall
Sat 3rd PORTSMOUTH, Guildhall
Mon 5th MANCHESTER, Apollo
Tue 6th CARDIFF, Wales Millennium Centre
Wed 7th SHEFFIELD, Academy
Fri 9th LEEDS, Academy
Sun 11th NEWCASTLE, Academy
Tue 13th DUNDEE, Caird Hall
Wed 14th GLASGOW, Academy
Thu 15th GLASGOW, Academy

Tickets go on sale Friday June 12, 2009 9am
Tickets are priced at £20-£25 + booking fee

‘Sunny Side Up’, produced by Ethan Johns is a record full of warm sentiments and dazzling sounds, wrapped together by Paolo’s distinctive vocal, one of the most unique vocals to come out of the UK for many years.

“Don’t be surprised if, come December, this is one of the year’s biggest-selling albums.” – The Independent

“His show at the Electric Ballroom was a masterclass in how to shoot for the very top of the mass entertainment world while maintaining a firm grasp on your musical roots.” – The Times

Buy Music:

Paolo Nutini on amazon.co.uk

Paolo Nutini on amazon.com

Paolo Nutini Official Website
MySpace

The Charlatans and Just Jack are set to mentor the finalists of Road to V – the UK’s biggest and longest running search for unsigned musical talent.

Watch “Weirdo” video:

With a history of V Festival performances to their name, now on their tenth studio album and famous for a string of hits including indie classics such as “The Only One I Know” and “Weirdo”, The Charlatans will be mentoring the ten finalists of the competition, before two winners are eventually decided by a public vote.

The recruitment of Just Jack and The Charlatans as mentors marks a first for Virgin Media, which has refreshed the format of Road to V for 2009, offering entrants the chance to be nurtured by established musicians for the very first time.

The two winning acts will open up the mighty V Festival, which takes place this summer, in Chelmsford and Stafford on 22nd to 23rd August 2009.

The Charlatans EXCLUSIVE interview with Jenny May:

Jenny May: What are you planning to do as mentor for the finalists of the Road to V unsigned band competition?

Martin: We’re looking forward to basically hanging out and playing with them. It was important to us to find someone who is good enough to open V Festival now – not in 3 or 4 months time.

Jon: For me, when it comes to talking to a band who’s just starting out, it’s really important we tell the truth. We’re not out to give advice necessarily because usually people do the opposite – just tell the truth. It’s a big deal, advice – and the last thing we want to do is be condescending.

So far, which V Festival has been the best one that you’ve played at and why?

Jon: 2008 V Festival was great last year because we headlined. We really like being able to play outdoors. Everyone there was just really nice. Good and decent.

Tony: Yeah, V was great. I also have a special place in my heart for the first Isle of Wight. We had a great spot at Glastonbury one year at dusk.

What tracks/artists have you been listening to lately?

Tim: Wow. Ummm, I’m really liking La Roux right now. They’re sort of an electro outfit. Really great.

How have things changed for bands since The Charlatans started out, compared to bands starting out now?

Tony: It’s a lot easier and a lot harder. Easier because you can sound really great for really cheap, but at the same time there are so many more people all trying to do the same.

Mark: You can do so many amazing things with a laptop. Producing a really quality tune for cheap is really easy now versus when we were starting out, but it still boils down to creativity and professionalism.

What is your songwriting process as a band?

Tim: It really depends on who’s most passionate. We don’t all five of us sit down in the same room and write songs together. Usually it’s a singular idea brought in and…

Mark: Expounded on.

Tim: Yeah.

Who has inspired you the most musically?

Tim: New Order. A band called The Prisoners.

Jon: The Stone Roses. They did sort of a similar thing with mentoring us as we’re doing for bands in Road to V. They really took us under their wing when we went on tour in the beginning of the band.

The Charlatans on amazon.co.uk

The Charlatans UK on amazon.com

For more music, dates and information, go to:

Road To V

Virgin Media

The Charlatans Official Website
The Charlatans on Twitter
MySpace

Photo: The Charlatans

Virgin Media today announced that Just Jack and The Charlatans will mentor the finalists of Road to V – the UK’s biggest and longest running search for unsigned musical talent.

Genre-fusing Just Jack, caused a sensation with his breakthrough Brit Hop style… mixing up beats, melodies and witty, conversational lyrics to funky home made loops, creating a sound that has influenced a generation of bedroom beat poets.

The Charlatans, with a history of V Festival performances to their name, now on their tenth studio album and famous for a string of hits including indie classics such as “The Only One I Know” and “Weirdo”, will join Just Jack in mentoring the ten lucky finalists of the competition, before two winners are eventually decided by a public vote.

Although coming from two completely different perspectives (both musically and lyrically), these two prolific artists with their combined experience, will offer a complete package of advice to fledgling acts in developing their sound and image, and help set them up for a career in music.

Photo: Just Jack

The recruitment of Just Jack and The Charlatans as mentors marks a first for Virgin Media, which has refreshed the format of Road to V for 2009, offering entrants the chance to be nurtured by established musicians for the very first time. In previous years, Road to V consisted of a judging panel of industry professionals, who selected the finalists before going on to decide on two winning acts.

The competition is now open for registrations, and two winning acts will open up the mighty V Festival, which takes place this summer, in Chelmsford and Stafford on 22nd to 23rd August, 2009.

Acts have until 12th April 2009 to head to www.roadtov.com to register and be in with a chance of being one of the ten final acts to make it through to the live stage of the competition.

Not only will the lucky finalists be mentored by our established artists, they will also get the once in a life time opportunity to play alongside them at the Great Escape festival in Brighton on 14th to 16th May.

In addition, the ten finalists will all appear, with their mentors, on the Road to V show on Virgin 1 which began Friday 3rd April 2009, and airs on every first Friday of the month until August.

You can also tune in to watch extended shows with exclusive interviews and performances on Virgin Media’s music on demand service and on the Road to V website – www.roadtov.com.

After the Great Escape, the artist mentors will whittle the final ten down to six remaining acts. Then it’s over to the fans to decide who wins the ultimate prize of opening one of the UK’s biggest music festivals – V.

Since 2004, Road to V has nurtured great new talent, with bands such as quirky post-punk trio The Young Knives and Bombay Bicycle Club achieving nationwide success. The Young Knives attracted a Mercury Award nomination in 2007 for their second album, ‘Voices of Animals’, and the Bombay Bicycle club signed a deal with Island Records in 2008.

Rosie Spooner, head of music sponsorship at Virgin Media said, “Road to V is all about the music; it’s so important to have a good calibre of mentors, who can make a real difference to our unsigned music talent. Just Jack has his third album out this year and his new single ‘Embers’ is currently all over the radio, The Charlatans are touring throughout the year and doing special projects like Road to V. Both artists have caused a sensation in their own musical ways – coming from very different musical backgrounds, loved by millions and offering our acts the advice they need to succeed.”

The Charlatans drummer, Jon Brookes comments, “We as mentors will offer the truth to any band that asks us to talk with them about our experiences. It won’t be a pupil / teacher vibe, but something more subtle, a guide or confidant. Hopefully it will be a two-way arrangement and we will all get to share something.”

Whilst Just Jack added, “I’m really looking forward to being a Road to V mentor. When you write songs obviously you put everything into them – however, you need honesty as an artist and you need to hear honest opinions from people”.

Road To V – for more information and to register

Virgin Media Official Website

Pre-order Jacqueline, get signed artwork + exclusive footage here!

The Coral’s fourth studio album follows a well documented period of soul searching within the band. Still younger than many contemporaries with half their recorded output, the band have returned to public attention galvanised by their experiences and critics have responded to this rejuvenated band with unbridled enthusiasm, with Q proclaiming James Skelly “one of the finest writers, and voices, in British music today.” “Jacqueline” proves that The Coral have not lost their ear for an immediate pop tune and ‘Roots and Echoes’, as with all Coral albums, sees a band on a continual quest to re-imagine their music through their wide influences, whether 60’s soul and Merseybeat, 50’s skiffle and do-wop or 70’s psychedelic imaginings.

The Coral play this year’s V festival, performing in Chelmsford on 18th August and Stafford on 19th August 2007. Following this they re-join the Arctic Monkeys as specials guests on their American tour. Long time fans of The Coral, Arctic Monkeys invited the band to support them in Europe earlier this year and at their recent Lancashire County Cricket Ground shows. The band then embark on a Full UK tour in the Autumn

The Coral tour dates are as follows:

Dates could be added or changed! Go to The Coral’s Official Website for the latest news and information.

The Coral/Arctic Monkeys

September 2007

05 New York, NY – Central Park Summerstage
06 Providence, RI – Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel
08 Toronto, ON – Virgin Festival – Lake Ontario Stage
09 Montreal, QC – Osheaga Festival
11 Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall
12 Chicago, IL – Aragon Ballroom
13 Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theatre
16 Dallas, TX – Palladium Ballroom
17 Houston, TX – Verizon Wireless Theater
18 New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
21 Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theatre
22 Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theatre
23 San Diego, CA – Street Scene Festival
25 Los Angeles, CA – Palladium
27 San Francisco, CA – Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
28 Eugene, OR – McDonald Theater
29 Seattle, WA – WAMU Theater
30 Vancouver, BC – PNE Forum

October 2007:

The Coral Headline tour:

Monday 8th Nottingham, Rock City 0870 310 0000
Tuesday 9th Bristol, Academy 0870 771 2000
Thursday 11th London, Roundhouse 0870 389 1846
Friday 12th Manchester, Academy 1 0161 832 1111
Saturday 13th Leeds University 0113 244 4600
Sunday 14th Birmingham, Academy 0870 771 2000
Wednesday 17th Southampton, Guildhall 0238 063 2601
Thursday 18th Sheffield, Octagon 0114 222 8777
Saturday 20th Glasgow, ABC1 0870 169 0100
Sunday 21st Oxford, Academy 0870 771 2000

With special guests The Metros

UK tickets – 24hr cc hotline 0871 220 0260 or buy online at Gigs and Tours. Tickets: £16.00 except London £17.50

“…they are easily one of the most important bands of the last decade.” (Time Out)

“James Skelly is one of the finest writers, and voices, in British music today.” (Q Magazine, 4/5)

“Jacqueline’s chorus seems to arrive from heaven.” (The Fly)

The Coral – “Who’s Gonna Find Me” single review

The Coral Official Website
The Coral on Myspace

The new single “One More Chance” sees both artists bring their considerable talent to the table: a yearning break up anthem packed to the rafters with Mark Ronson’s trademark strings, bells and a chorus that soars off into the stratosphere.

Candie Payne will also perform “One More Chance” with Mark Ronson at this weekends V Festival.

Mark Ronson and Candie Payne Tour Dates:

Dates could be added or changed! Go to Mark Ronson and Candie Payne’s Official Websites for the latest tour dates and information.

October 19th 2007 Leeds University
October 20th 2007 Bournemouth Opera House
October 25th 2007 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
October 28th 2007 Norwich UAE
October 29th 2007 Portsmouth Pyramid
October 30th 2007 Bristol Academy

V Festival – August 18-19 2007
Mark Ronson is on at 3.40pm on Saturday in Chelmsford and in Staffordshire on Sunday. Candie Payne is headlining The Session Stage Chelmsford Saturday and Staffordshire on Sunday.

“One More Chance” is released through Delatsonic/Columbia on September 3rd 2007

Candie Payne Official Website

Mark Ronson Official Website

Tickets go on sale for The Coral UK tour at 10am on Friday 27th July 2007. A single “Who’s Gonna Find Me” precedes the album on the 30th July 2007 on Deltasonic/SonyBmg.

The Coral have also toured Europe as special guest to the Arctic Monkeys and will join them in America for further dates prior to the UK tour.

In addition the six-piece from Hoylake, Merseyside, England will play a couple of one-off intimate shows in London including The ICA, July 30th as part of the iTunes festival and The 100 Club on August 6th as part of XFM’s 10th anniversary celebrations. The Coral also be appearing on the Channel 4 stage at the V Festival in Chelmsford on the 18th August and Staffordshire on the 19th.

“… the astonishing result of what sounds like an experiment to find out what would have happened if Jimi Hendrix had made a northern soul record.” (The Guardian)

The Coral October 2007 tour dates:

Dates and information could be added or changed. Go to The Coral’s Official Website for the latest tour dates and news.

Monday 8th October Nottingham, Rock City 0870 310 0000
Tuesday 9th October Bristol, Academy 0870 771 2000
Thursday 11th October London, Roundhouse 0870 389 1846
Friday 12th October Manchester, Academy 1 0161 832 1111
Saturday 13th October Leeds University 0113 244 4600
Sunday 14th October Birmingham, Academy 0870 771 2000
Tuesday 16th October Oxford, Academy 0870 771 2000
Wednesday 17th October Southampton, Guildhall 0238 063 2601
Thursday 18th October Sheffield, Octagon 0114 222 8777
Saturday 20th October Glasgow, ABC1 0870 169 0100

Special guests The Metros

24hr cc hotline 0871 220 0260 or buy online at Gigs and Tours.
Tickets: £16.00 except London £17.50 on sale Friday 27th July at 10am.

For the latest information go to:

The Coral Official Website
The Coral on Myspace

Imagine the album you might expect from a man obsessed with 70s hits compilations and Readers Digest albums, and a woman passionate about The Pretenders, Grace Jones and Kate Bush. Imagine this: a celebration of how the best pop need not be obvious in order to be immediate, in an album so layered with hooks both hidden and manifest that it has a spooky ability to throw up something new with each and every listen.

It may not be immediately apparent that the album was almost entirely recorded in a room above ‘Mad’ Frankie Fraser’s pub in Brighton. “Of course,” Jessie says, “we could have just gone into a studio for three weeks and made the album. With hindsight that might have been quite sensible. Instead we spent two years above a pub, figuring out how to set up drum mics.” Really, it’s no wonder the band stayed where they were: the vast mixing desks and gadgetry of your average London studio may have a certain allure, but there’s no place like home and, for Chungking, home can be nowhere other than Brighton.

Jessie Banks grew up on the south coast, devouring her mum and her brother’s record collections – taking in Motown, Tom Waits, Ian Dury. She was obsessed with Paul Young and eventually made her way to Woolworths with enough money to buy Tina Turner’s “We Don’t Need Another Hero”. “I’d heard it on the radio,” she recalls. “I didn’t know what was happening, I was like, ‘I don’t know what’s going on! I feel really emotional and weird!’”

Though it wouldn’t come to fruition until several years later, this early connection between sounds on the stereo and a visceral pop bodyshock had a profound influence on Jessie’s musical tastes – and, now, on the music she makes herself, no better illustrated than on the low-slung bodymoving funk of “Love Is Here To Stay”. You may also recently have come across Jessie singing live with bands like Royksopp and Air.

The pair met when Sean Hennessey was in what he will now only describe as a ‘dodgy hippie band’ – Jessie explains that it was a cross between Crosby, Stills and Nash and medieval hip-hop with songs running to twenty minutes apiece. “Sean was sat there all aloof, with his beard and cardigan, svengali-style. He seemed too cool for school – little did I know the truth. And I know what he thought of me…” Says Sean: “I thought she was a complete airhead. She was going out with our drummer at the time, smashed off her face on bongs most of the time…”. The band slowly metamorphosed into Chungking.

“We started going out together and all of a sudden I was the singer of the band, telling everyone to f*** off with the moody shit and get on with the pop.” After one too many nights sitting in bed arguing about middle eights Jessie and Sean reached an ‘it’s us or the band’ decision, choosing to go with Chunking because, as Jessie smirks, “the band showed more promise”. The hunch paid off with debut album ‘The Hungry Years’ and an incredibly varied wave of support from the press, radio and punters alike. The album provided a perfect solution for clubbers looking for an early hours soundtrack as well as touching the hearts of lovers of beautifully crafted songwriting across the board.

Between that album and this one, the duo have been carefully refining their sound, but beyond the production sheen are proper songs about proper things: “Baby”, on first listen all bombast and danceable grooves, is a song to a lover whose self-confidence has been annihilated. (“A whisper in the ear,” Jessie says, “to say ‘I think you’re brilliant and I’m in love with you’.”) Then there’s “Love Is Here To Stay” – a “filthy song”, Sean says, “which says it’s okay to put your hands down somebody’s pants and not necessarily mine – get the motor running and we’ll stick our hands down everyone’s pants’”.

Tracks like “Stay Up Forever” and “Itch and Scratch” keep up the pace, and add to the feeling that if ‘The Hungry Years’ was Chungking flicking through the papers on Sunday morning, then “Stay Up Forever” is the sound of the band kicking off their shoes and dancing right through Saturday night and beyond. But what remains a constant in Chungking’s music is the quality of songwriting and sheer beauty of Jessie’s voice – check out the sublime ballad “Beautiful Inside” if any more evidence were needed.

“When I get an album I tend to go, ‘well, I like Number 4, and I like 7 and 8′,” Jessie says. “We wanted to make a CD you put on for the whole album – We’ve done the melancholy stuff – now we’re ready to turn it up and have some fun.”

Tracklisting:

1. Ticking
2. Love Is Here To Stay
3. Itch and Scratch
4. Stay Up Forever
5. I Love You
6. Baby
7. Slow It Down
8. It Could Be Wonderful
9. Beautiful Inside
10. Know What You Mean
11. Sorry
12. Maybe It’s Over

Album Release Date: 13 August 2007
Label: Institute Recordings

Chungking Official Website
ChungKing on Myspace

There are quite a few bands included in the V Festival lineup that have been making the rounds during the 2007 UK festival circuit like The Killers, Kasabian, Snow Patrol, The Fratellis, Babyshambles and The Kooks. Even with all of their appearances, though, the festivals keep selling out. It’s good to see that live music is still selling tickets during these days of low CD sales.

Iggy and The Stooges are even going to be there – which should be one to watch after what happened at Glastonbury. I wonder if people will be invited on the stage for some chaos at the V Festival?

As always, it’s great to see Guillemots included on the lineup. They’re scheduled to play on the Channel 4 stage and The Coral – one of my new “bands to watch” is also playing on that stage but on opposite days. Foo Fighters I’m sure will put on a great show. Jet would be a cool band to see and Primal Scream and Happy Mondays fans will be treated as well.

Interesting to see Sinead O’Connor sandwiched in between Dizzee Rascal and Beverley Knight.

Following is the UK V Festival 2007 lineup:

Lineup and bands could change! Go to the Official V Festival Website for the latest news and information.

V Stage

Saturday Weston Park
Sunday Hylands Park

The Killers
Kasabian
James
The Fratellis
KT Tunstall
James Morrison
The Goo Goo Dolls
Rodrigo Y Gabriela

Saturday Hylands Park
Sunday Weston Park

Foo Fighters
Snow Patrol
Pink
Kanye West
Paolo Nutini
Editors
The Proclaimers
Just Jack

——

Channel 4 Stage

Saturday Weston Park
Sunday Hylands Park

The Kooks
Manic Street Preachers
Lily Allen
Mika
Guillemots
The Cribs
Mark Ronson
Captain
The Hours

Saturday Hylands Park
Sunday Weston Park

Basement Jaxx
Amy Winehouse
The Coral
Babyshambles
Jet
The Fray
Juliette and The Licks
The Thrills

——–

JJB / Puma Arena

Saturday Weston Park
Sunday Hylands Park

Damien Rice
Corinne Bailey Rae
Iggy and the Stooges
Lemar
Willy Mason
Rilo Kiley
McFLY
Sophie Ellis Bextor
Mutya Buena
Seth Lakeman

Saturday Hylands Park
Sunday Weston Park

Primal Scream
Happy Mondays
Jarvis Cocker
Ocean Colour Scene
Dizzee Rascal
Sinead O’Connor
Beverley Knight
Glenn Tilbrook and the Fluffers
Jesse Malin
Chungking

——

Virgin Mobile Union

Saturday Weston Park
Sunday Hylands Park

Graham Coxon
The Bravery
Stephen Fretwell
Bedouine Soundclash
Air Traffic
The Rumble Strips
Remi Nicole
Cherry Ghost
Tiny Dancers
UnkleJam
Passenger
Dodgems

Saturday Hylands Park
Sunday Weston Park

Bright Eyes
Boy Kill Boy
Plan B
The Holloways
Mr. Hudson and The Library
Mumm-Ra
Switches
The Wombats
Ghosts
Hoosiers
Pop Levi
Rebbeca

For more information go to the UK V Festival Official Website

By: Jenny May – Band Weblogs

The Foo Fighters founder and frontman Dave Grohl is looking good and his passion and stage presence during their set at Live Earth was infectious. Passion wouldn’t be a word that I would use for some of the other acts that took to the stage before the Foo Fighters.

Technical difficulties were an issue. Bands were having problems with their sound on stage all day. Razorlight’s Johnny Borrell couldn’t hear anything through the monitors and when the Red Hot Chili Peppers played I thought we might get through a set without the sound drama. They sounded great and Flea was on fire, but after playing a couple songs, the Chili Peppers stopped to have what appeared to be a ‘band meeting’ on stage – at Live Earth in front of millions of people. At one point I could hear Anthony Kiedis say something about not being able to hear. I think after that they only had one more song to go.

Now I, as a singer, can understand sound problems on stage. I love to have a good mix in the monitors with some reverb coming back at me. But you know what? If I was playing only three songs with my band at Wembley Stadium – in front of millions (some say 2 billion) of people I think even I could handle not being able to hear and just play on like everything is okay. Especially since most acts only played two or three songs. As a viewer, I don’t want the distraction of stage problems and complaining while trying to enjoy a band and their music, well then again…these things do tend to make good ‘car crash TV’.

I’m sure the bands didn’t want to upstage their set by complaining about the sound and even though bands should know better, the first thing the stage manager or event director should have told them before they went out on stage, was “don’t mention the sound”.

The reason I’m even bringing this up is because knowing that there were sound problems all day at the new Wembley Stadium, it was brilliant to see Dave Grohl just get on with things, with the passion and the attitude that all rock fans love to see – and he played like his life depended on it. The band sounded great, they were having fun and if Dave Grohl had any problems hearing there were no signs or nasty expressions coming from him. Drummer Taylor Hawkins also put on an incredible performance. Excellent set by the Foo Fighters.

Watch Foo Fighters – “Best Of You” video from Live Earth:

Tour dates could be added or changed! Go to the Foo Fighters Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

August 18 V Festival, Hylands Park Chelmsford, UK
August 19 V Festival Weston Park Staffordshire, UK
August 21 T On The Fringe: Meadowbank Sports Centre (Meadowbank Stadium) Edinburgh, Scotland
August 22 Marlay Park Dublin, Ireland

Foo Fighters Official Website
Foo Fighters on Myspace

By: Jenny May – Band Weblogs

It’s all been quite the whirlwind for Guillemots the last couple of years as they’ve been keeping busy with tours, festivals, radio interviews and UK TV appearances including Friday Night With Jonathan Ross and Top of the Pops.

Their debut album Through the Windowpane was nominated for the 2006 Mercury Music Prize and the band was nominated for best British Live Act for the 2007 Brit Awards. Not only that, but they have a dedicated fan base that as far as they’re concerned, Guillemots can do no wrong.

Just back from touring in Europe, Scottish drummer Greig Stewart is one of the most unique and versatile drummers in music today. The times that I’ve watched him, his presence on stage was amazing and he is the kind of drummer that you “can’t take your eyes off of” when he’s playing.

Greig has been kind enough to answer a few questions that I wanted to ask him for readers of BandWeblogs.com.

Read Greig Stewart’s second exclusive interview with BandWeblogs.com

Jenny May: How and when did you become a drummer?

Greig Stewart: Loved music and drumming seemed natural to me. I came to it quite young. Made my own drums as a kid out of bits and bobs.

What kind of drum kit and gear do you use?

1960s Ludwig drums, 22″bass, 13″rack tom, 16″floor, Ludwig 400 snare. 1980s Premier Resonator, drums 22″ bass, 13″ rack tom, 20″ Ludwig floor, Premier resonator snare. Zildjian 19″ 16″ custom k crash/ride, 14″ new beat high hats, Paiste rude china. Roland Spds sampler. Apple mac, logic.

Oddly enough, you’ve been using Spandau Ballet’s old drum kit. How did that happen?

Well it’s either Spandau Ballet’s or Rod Morgenstein? Basically went into Andy’s Drum Center to buy a snare drum. The kit because of its unusual colour, shouted at me (its duck egg blue). I was told it was custom built for either of the above. Looks and sounds great.

Are you currently using it for live shows and in the studio?

Using the Premier for live at present. Am going to experiment for the new record. Haven’t used the Ludwig for a while.

When you’re not on tour do you practice regularly?

Should do more really. I tend to record onto my computer with new beats. But am now looking to find a teacher to push me more. The usual thing with drums noise is a bit of a problem.

What are your usual practice techniques and what do you use for practice?

Playing along with a metronome is important for me. Rudiments, sticking techniques. Some books on drumming. I’ve got drum practice pads, though find it quite difficult getting along with it as they don’t produce much sound.

Who has influenced you the most in music?

All my friends at school were mad into music (playing and listening). That’s where I heard and got into so much music.

Do you have a favorite drummer?

Toooo many to name! Well here’s some; Ringo, Elvin Jones, John Bonham, Stewart Copeland, Keith Moon, Steve Morris, Seb Roachford, Tony Allen.

What have Guillemots been up to lately? I know you were on tour in the UK and Europe recently, and have a few upcoming shows in the UK, but will you be recording again soon? Also, any upcoming TV or radio appearances that we should know about?

That’s it really for ‘Through the Window Pane’ record as far as touring. We are doing a few festivals this summer. But the main focus is writing/recording the new record in our new studio.

What is the new studio like?

The studio is based in the East End of London. It’s an old synagogue which has a really high roof and lots of different size rooms. Great space for recording and just hanging out.

Guillemots had a small tour across the US and Canada in 2006, including the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas. Do you have plans to tour the US again anytime soon?

Next year or maybe later this year. We have changed record company recently which made things complicated.

What is a typical day like for you when you’re on tour? From when you wake up to when you go to sleep?

I try and get into some kind of routine. For me; get up about 10, 11ish. Make porridge and cup of tea. Shower. The next thing depends on promotional things. If none, I go for a walk for a few hours. Then late lunch round 3′4 ish. Best not eat too late before the gig. Relax and start getting ready for the gig. Warm ups, practice on pad with sticks. After, I’ll go for a shower and watch a film on the bus. Not really rock and roll. If we have a day off the next day, I’ll partyyyy ooonn!!

What is your favorite song to play from Guillemots repertoire?

The new songs are fun to play “Big Dog”, “Standing on the Last Star”.

Who comes up with all of the ideas for what you wear on stage?

Everybody really. Mc usually though.

So far, where have you enjoyed playing the most? (country/venue) Why?

I enjoyed Barcelona. Love the city/food/people. Walk along the beach then had a seafood lunch. (Thing with Guillemots is often food orientated). The gig was cool with a great atmosphere and then the venue turns into a massive club till late. Sore heads all around.

Did you contribute to the artwork on the ‘Through The Windowpane’ album?

The whole band had drawings/paintings on the album. One of my paintings got on the inner sleeve.

How often do you paint and/or draw? What do you draw?

Got a sketch book which I take on tour. Don’t do enough paintings though. The band did a painting each for charity recently. I tend to draw what just comes out, faces, cartoons, weird objects and usually drivel.

If you were to buy an open minded music lover a new CD as a gift, what artist or band would you want to turn them on to?

Ali Farka Toure, Sandy Denny, Bonny Prince Billy, Bjork. Sorry can’t choose one!

Guillemots will be performing at the 2007 V Festival on the Channel 4 Stage. Also set to play the Channel 4 Stage are The Kooks, Manic Street Preachers, Lily Allen and Mika. The V festival takes place at Hylands Park, Chelmsford and Weston Park, Staffordshire, England on August 18th and 19th.

Guillemots on Myspace
Guillemots Official Website

By: Jenny May