Maida Vale Studios, Radio One, scuzzy pop, Umbro coats, donna meat and inter- family intercourse. We talk to the North’s finest new kids on the block, Eagulls.
Born out of Moshi Moshi, NOT EVEN Records plays host to Eagulls who themselves formed from the ashes of a couple of hardcore bands. This quintet of Northern lads seem to have been having a hoot playing live shows up and down the UK. Appearances on Radio One and a new single ‘Council Flat Blues’ ready to drop in February have left us feeling a bit left out – so we pulled a few strings and grabbed a quick interview with them.
Hey guys, thanks for taking the time to answer a quick q&a. For the folk out there who are unaware of Eagulls, please could you introduce yourselves and your style.
Eagulls is George Mitchell (vocals), Mark Goldsworthy (guitar), Liam Mathews (guitar) , Henry Ruddell (drums) and Tom Kelly (bass). We are based in Leeds and play scuzzy pop songs.
We guess your really busy, how have things been going and what’s it like dominating the North’s music scene?
Yeah, weve been busy this past year playing as many gigs as possible and supporting some amazing bands. Weve been busy working with the label ‘NOT EVEN’ releasing our first 7″ single, Council Flat Blues/ Acrostical which is coming out early februaury. Its all been a bit of a blur but we’re having a great time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR0pMZ2Z2S0
You’ve been getting a lot of airplay on radio and we heard a quality live lounge session the other day, what’s that been like?
Playing live at Maida Vale studios for radio 1 was sick! Thinking about all the artists who have played there before us is just surreal. I sang down the same microphone as rhianna haha! It smelt good!
What was the highlight of 2010 for Eagulls?
Its hard to pin point a highlight, probably some of the gigs we’ve played. The couple we played with Jamie T in Lincoln and Liverpool were amazing, really sureal and exsilerating playing to that many people!
What are your plans for 2011, any chance of a tour to Japan?
No plans, we still havent played outside of the uk but Japan looks insane and we’d love to come over if we ever had the chance one day!
Who are your inspirations/favourite musicians?
Our music is inspired by alot of punk and post punk bands like The Wipers, Dinosaur Jr, and Husker Du, yet we all have our own individual favourites which may not filter through directly into our sound.
Where is your favorite place in the world?
It would be hard to speak for everyone in the band and theres still lots of places we would like to see but three of us have been to Barcalona the past couple of years running, thats where we were when we decided to start the band in the first place.
Got any good brand recommendations for our fashion conscious readers ?
George got a sick Umbro coat the other day, makes him look like Alex Ferguson.
What is the last thing you bought?
Donner meat and chips.
What is the last song you listened to?
We’re watching the fifth element as we speak and theres a wierd blue lass singing at the opera.
Do you know any Japanese musicians if so who do you like? – If not, why not?
Boris are great, i saw them in Newcastle a couple of years ago. They play a lot of different styles of music but you can still tell its them, they really put thier stamp on it.
What’s the best rumour you have heard about Japan?
The gigs are insane!
Please recommend something new.
Babies in thongs.
What do you never leave your house without?
Knife.
Question from Mystery Jets; ‘Does humour belong in Music?’
Theres definitely a place for it. It can be cheesy when not done right but it would be pretty boring if everyone took themselves too seriously all the time.
Finally, please make a question, which we will ask to our next interviewee.
“Would ya shagg ya mam to save ya dads life?”
Wow! Brilliant final answer lads… I can’t wait to pass it on to our next victims interviewees.
Catch the Eagulls on tour now and download their single Council Flat Blues out Feb 14 on NOT EVEN records. More info on Eagulls myspace here and on tumblr here
