To start things off tell us who's who and who does what, whose left and do you all love each other or kill each other at practises ?
Right then, we are at present Russ who does the drumming, Matt who plays the guitar and me who plays bass. We all sing and write songs too. There’s been quite a few different people in the band but it’s too boring to mention them all. This line-up’s been together for a year and it’s definitely the best it’s ever been. I wouldn’t say we love or hate each other, we just all get along (most of the time) and have a laugh.
You've had a couple of demos out and a 7" on Detour Records, how were they received and was the 7" a one off deal ?
The 7" was a one-off deal which sold out a while back. I don’t really know how well it was received other than that it sold pretty well and we got some good reviews from it. Because Detour is a Mod label they weren’t interested in doing anything else with us once they actually saw us play and realised we’re not a Mod band. The demo we’re released recently (Anthems for the Kids) has been received really well with loadsa excellent reviews which is really cool.
That 7" was very Mod influenced (The Who, etc...) your new demo "Anthems For The Kids" sounds alot more poppy, have you made a deliberate move away from those deep thumping bass lines or what ?
Yeah, the 7" was pretty Mod influenced although I never thought it sounded very Mod. I don’t particularly like it anymore because we’re doing so much better stuff now that it sounds pretty shit when I listen to it. The change in sound was because our drummer left who use to write the songs. So me and Russ started writing the stuff we really wanted to play which is what we sound like now.
Have you got any more releases planned/coming out ?
Unfortunately no, which is a real drag. The latest tape and the one before it have been getting really awesome reviews in all the zines I send it to and yet we can’t find anyone to release anything for us. So if anyone’s interested and wants to do anything for us then write to me, please!
I've not seen you live but I've heard you're a bit good, do you prefer playing live to recording ?
Erm, I dunno really because I like them both. The recording part of it, although it’s gets really boring at times sitting around, is cool because you actually get to hear your songs properly which is a big kick when they sound good. I think I probably prefer playing live though, just because you can be really loud and jump around a lot. Sound Checks really fucking suck though because there’s always a band that takes hours over it. (Too bloody right! - Ed)
Did you go to see Quadrophenia when it was re-released at the cinema recently (we did, it was great to see it on the Big Screen) ?
No I didn’t and I don’t think the other two did either. I’ve got it on video though because it is a cool film. I watched the new Star Wars last night though which was very enjoyable and Rock N Roll High School’s always a good one to watch.
Tell me a secret or dig some dirt on the other members in the band ?
I don’t really know of any or rather I don’t think I’d better tell you about some of the things that Matt’s done in his time. However he did use to walk around the shopping centre in Peterborough in full make-up and cowboy boots like a true Glam. rocker! Me and Russ use to have some truly bad black and red striped jeans.
Now tell me something nice about them to make up for the last question ?
Now that is a hard question to answer, in fact I don’t think I can. Erm, they’re both very nice and that’s about it!
Cite three things which have influenced you in your life and why ?
First one’s gotta be seeing the Senseless Things for the first time because that’s when I knew what I wanted to do in a band. They were totally awesome and blew me away. Interviewing C. Jay Ramone has gotta be another, it’s really weird meeting someone you admire so much and he was a really nice guy. Lastly seeing NY Loose last year and totally falling in love with the beautiful Brigitte West.
The infamous say, plug, swear, be philosophical bit ?
Right then that’s about it I guess, thanks a lot Rick for the interview - much appreciated mate. If anyone wants a tape or is interested in releasing stuff for us or can give us a gig then write to us.
The Shreds,
83 Edmunds Road, Cranwell Village,
Sleaford, NG34 8EP. UK.