Hiya folks thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today, grab a brew and take a seat.
What made you decide that music is a thing for you?
Too much sugar and hopeless optimism.
Introduce us to the members and your musical history.
We are Miles and The Chain Gang. Miles – guitar/voice. Mat – guitar/bass. Steve – drums. Charlie – keyboards.
We formed in 2018 in York but that was an older line-up. We’ve been going about five years. We’ve released five songs. That is one song per year. We are the slowest band in the world.
What was life like for you before music?
A bleak wasteland. Then one day I heard Wham! and everything made sense. Sorry I am being facetious. Music has always been a part of my life. It’s been in my life for many years. It’s just part of how I live.
What was the first song you heard that steered you into a music path?
The first band I heard was Abba. My Mum played them in the car in the 70s when I was about five years old. They were enchanting – there was something otherworldly about them. Brilliantly arranged and produced songs. Whenever I hear ‘What’s the Name of The Game’ now I think what a clever song it is.
Where do you feel you currently sit within the music industry?
We sit in the basement, behind the storage cupboard, at the back of a very long queue. Taylor Swift and Foo Fighters are on the seventieth floor with the canapes and photographers. We’re in the basement. It smells bad and there are rats. It’s also very overcrowded here. We are trying to work out the way to the stairs.
What’s the biggest thing you have learned from someone else in the industry?
Make sure your guitar is in tune, and don’t fall off the stage.
Tell us Two truths and a lie about you.
I have a lazy greyhound called Alma, I’ve met a serial killer, I have put out four collections of poetry.
If you could wish for one thing to aid your career what would it be?
Regular airplay on BBC Radio 2.
Do you ever worry about people taking things the wrong way or cancel culture? Discuss….
Cancel culture isn’t very good for us. There are lots of examples where somebody has made one mistake or said something they should not say, and they are history. We are very unforgiving as a culture. Humans are imperfect. If you screw up, admit it, say sorry, and do what you can to make amends. We are all human. We should be kinder to each other. Nobody is perfect.
Do you sign up to any conspiracy theories? If not why not?
I don’t really buy into conspiracy theories. I think there is a lot of stuff we don’t know, that is kept from us, but most of the most significant dangers to the world are in the public domain, and there’s plenty of information about them.
What was the worst experience on stage?
There have been some embarrassing moments over the years. The worst thing is when you play to a room and there is no atmosphere. That sucks. It’s much better when people shout at you.
What makes you stand out as a band/artist?
The songs are good. That makes us stand out. There are a lot of poor songs out there.
I hear you have a new music, what can you tell us about it.
‘When It Comes To You’ is being re-released. It first came out in 2020, it was our first release. It’s a brisk song about unrequited love.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the new tunes?
The hardest thing is having a strong in the first place. After that, as long as you get the structure right, you are off and running. I like it when things happen in the studio that you don’t expect, that is part of the creative process. Songs grow wings.
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
There was a drum moment at the start I never liked, but the drummer said it was right and I didn’t argue. I should have done it. Every time I hear it I think it could have been better. But hey. Most of our stuff works really well so I shouldn’t grumble too much.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
Um. Go and listen to the first Pretenders album. It came out in 1980. It’s amazing. Also, smile more.
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