Rat:Daddy
20 Questions
Wednesday 20th of April 2005
1. How did you come up with your band name?
I saw it on the small print on a Motley Crue album. That's what a goon I am; I read the small print on CD inlays.
2. How long has the band been going?
We've been in bands together since school, but Rat:Daddy has been going seriously for about 3 years.
3. In one sentence how would you best describe your music?
I dunno. Heavy Pop Rock?!!? The earlier stuff has a real Wildhearts thing going on but as its progressed all sorts of influences have come out. As Chubs Peterson would say... 'its all in the tune, its all in the tune...'
4. Who/what would you consider are your most inspiring musical influences?
Inspiring people begin and end with Dave Lee Roth. Others like to party. Roth IS the party.
In all honesty it's probably songs or albums that inspire the most, far too many to mention.
5. Apart from your mum, who/what are your most important non-musical influences?
Chris Eubank. He was fucking amazing and he knew it.
6. What's the thing that sets your band apart from the rest?
The smell.
7. Where was the first gig you ever played?
The drama room at Mountbatten School. We're still trying to hit the heights of that classic lunch time. I looked so cool with cut off jeans and knee high socks. Rat:Daddy's first gig was The Maple Leaf in Southampton.
8. Where was the best gig you ever played and why?
Again it's so hard to choose one. The Wildhearts supports obviously stand out, both the electric and acoustic tour. The shows in Holland were amazing as well. There was quite a difference the way the crowd react to bands there. It's less about fashion, and a lot less clicky. I think we played really well to boot. But again, you just can't beat impressing your friends with a few Nirvana riffs during lunchtime at Mountbatten School.
9. What was your most embarrassing moment whilst playing live?
Just before a show at the Wedgwood Rooms the fly on my leather trousers broke, I had to reverse my cacks and try and tape it up while the intro cd was playing. Luckily for me my wiener is in no danger of being seen from more than a few yards.
Another time we turned up at a show which was in a really shoddy venue with pissed up rugby boys all over the stage watching the game. Tim got in a moody and convinced us to pull the gig, only for us to then find out it was a charity show. We looked like complete bastards so we gave a sizable contribution in coppers.
10. What was the first gig you ever went to?
When I was 13 I saw the mighty Status Quo at the BIC, followed a few days later with Iron Maiden at Wembley.
11. If you could choose the line up for the best gig in the world who would be on it and where would you stage it?
Bloody hell, that's impossible to answer. I would have loved to be at Donnington 1988 with Iron Maiden, Kiss, Dave Lee Roth and Guns n' Roses.
12. What was the last album you bought/downloaded/copied/nicked?
I've never downloaded an album in my life, but I've nicked shitloads so I guess that's the moral argument fucked. I completed my collection with Enuff Z Nuff's Peach Fuzz but the bastard eBay seller hasn't sent it through yet. I'm about to contact e-bay and begin some serious ass whoopin, after I've kissed my guns. I also got Devils Playground by Billy Idol which is just brilliant.
13. What's your favourite song lyric?
Dave Lee Roth - 'Only adventures that I regret are the ones I missed' - I had that tattooed it's so cool. It totally sums up my own outlook on life.
14. What's your take on the current state of modern music?
In all honesty I couldn't give a fuck about it. I hope that Rat:Daddy fit in somewhere and people enjoy what we do. I just don't really care about what other people like, they are welcome to it and it's no hassle. You don't like the Brits? Don't fucking watch it. I didn't even know it was on. Believe me, no matter what kind of music you like, it's out there. You gotta look for it if you care enough. Why does anyone give a fuck if the music they like is popular or not? I love Harem Scarem, most people have never heard of them, they are tiny in this country but why would that bother me? I don't give a rats ass if Sporty Spice is more popular, or gets more awards, or gets more airtime. Harem Scarem will continue to release albums that I like, and I will buy. Why does it matter if only one or two million more people buy it? Does it justify what I like? If you are moved by something you don't need the NME to justify it for you.
15. What makes you switch off the radio?
I've never seen him, and he might be a lovely guy, but Johnny Walker sounds like a complete twat.
16. Which animated character do you have the most empathy with and why?
Popeye, cos I'm fucking strong.
17. If you could have a drink with any dead musician who would it be?
Our drummer. I wanna make sure he's definitely dead first.
18. If you were a groupie, who's tour bus would you try and sneak onto and why?
Rat:Daddys, simply for the speed of Gavin's fingers and the power of Tim's fist.
19. What are your day jobs?
Tim - Hand Job.
Jon - Odd Job.
Gav - Toe Job.
Ian - Blow Job.
That was my best job.
20. Anything to confess?
Jon has a misshapen head and his lips burn easily.
Ian's little toes on both feet are freakishly small and deformed.
Tim has nipples the size of large fried eggs.
Gav loves it when Tim rubs his head.
Author: Steve
Found in: Interviews