Brother

Ten questions with the UK's biggest new band

1) Top 3 influences on your musical path, and why?
The Smiths, Nirvana, The Stone Roses. The Smiths because Morrissey is a mad genius. I imagine him locked away as a child furiously writing stories and poems like a young, more bitter Oscar Wilde. Nirvana because Come As You Are was the first song I learnt to play on guitar. Stone Roses because their first album is a modern classic. She Bangs The Drums is near enough a perfect pop song. Plus, they all used to dress like lunatics, which I love.

2) How would you describe your music? Does it compare to any other bands in your eyes?
It's shamelessly catchy. Huge singalong songs. They are meant to be loud. We're proud of our album and I really do think we've written a classic. We bonded over a love of 90s British guitar bands but it doesn't end there. Each song has its own influences. From Morrissey to Blur, from The Dandy Warhols to even Chemical Bros. Whatever is in our brain at the time.

3) What are the three greatest albums ever in your opinion?
Strangeways, Here We Come - The Smiths, The Stone Roses - Self Titled, The Beatles - Revolver

4) Are you famous enough to have a rider now and what’s on it if you do?
Our rider is full of booze really. Few crates of beer, rum, red wine, gin, fags. We ask for the standard fruit/veg/bread/humous/sandwiches, and veggie stuff for me. Occasionally we'll put a stupid request in. Like a signed photo of Morgan Freeman. You never know...

5) How do you all prepare for a gig?
We don't tend to think about playing until our tour manager drags us out of the dressing room and says, 'You're on in five'. He's called Jonny Ray and he is a genius. We'll have a couple of beers and do some vocal warm-ups then get out there.

6) You've been supporting The Streets on your recent tour. Who is your dream support gig?
The Streets is a good one because Mike is down to earth and he's been showing us the ropes. Morrissey has just invited us to tour with him, so we're absolutely blown away about that...

7) Liken your style to something. And tell us your five favourite bits of clobber.
I change my mind every day. I want to look like Bob Dylan in the 60s, however I probably look like Bob Monkhouse in the 90s. Either way, we like to make a statement. Loud shirts, camel jackets, plenty of sunglasses, whatever is around really. People are looking at us, so we want to give them something to look at.

8) Identify your craziest fan.
No one is particularly crazy. Our friend Junko follows us around the country and brings us gifts. She flies in from Japan!

9) Tell us one defining story of the excesses of the band.
When we were being courted by every label in the country last year, the whole couple of weeks was a blur. There was champagne and fights and laughter and horses and more champagne. I don't think I can say what happened, but let me say it was very good and we're very grateful that we've been given this opportunity.

10) What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Don't shoot a piece of dogshit with a farmer's rifle. (I've witnessed it happen).
 
Brother's next single, ‘Still Here’ is out in the UK on 24 April