Interviews: BLUE STRAGGLERS

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Rock band, BLUE STRAGGLERS from the UK. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, did you plan it or did it came out just like that?

Lee Martin: Ali came up with that actually. Every band has to be called something and my ideas were, shall we say, not so good, and one day he just said it! A blue straggler is the remnants of a dead or dying star. There you have it. 

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Lee: We didn’t settle on whatever type of rock people coin this as for what we wanted to sound like per se. This is just what the music sounds like when the three of us get in a room together.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Lee: Yea I’d followed Andy’s band around on mini-tours for years then kinda became a hanger-on/roadie/drinking partner. At the same time, my best mate had started going out with Ali at college so we all started getting acquainted with each other from then until now.

4. Each band member favourite band?

Lee: Too many to coin one, we all collectively love Led Zeppelin, Queens Of The Stone Age, Queen, Janes Addiction, Mclusky, The Black Crowes, Feist, PJ Harvey … and anything/ everything and whatever’s in between who is “giving it the Larry” as I like to say.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Lee: Seeing great bands, things you hear or great friends tell you, moments in time that feel poignant for whatever big or small reason.

Sorry: I’m answering these very broadly!

6. Where was your last gig?

Lee: Tuesday went we played 3 gigs in 3 venues in one night at Fat Tuesday in Hastings, it was amazing!

7. Where would you like to play?

Lee: Anywhere that’ll have us and has a music-loving populous within it.

8. Who would you like to support?

Lee: I can’t answer ‘anyone’ to every question can I…personally I’d love to support Bad Nerves, I reckon that would be a great night of balls to-the wall rock. 

9. Who not?

Lee: I can’t stand the 1975 but I’d still like to hack it out before em, never know who you’re gonna win over! I can’t imagine myself having any level of fun before or after a support slot with the 1975.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

Lee: If you are in a band with your best mates, do as much normal, funny things you’d do with your mates leading up to the gig I find this puts me in the best frame of mind. Don’t drink any more than you normally would either, fallen foul of that a few times.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Lee: Personally, seeing The Black Crowes back in 2005 changed my outlook on playing live forever. Same with Future Of The Left for intensity, Grandaddy for songwriting, and Mark Lanegan for consistency.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Lee: Not so much a fan but years ago someone followed me to the train station telling me how weird she thought my voice was, and with every subject change I offered she professionally diverted it back to my voice. Looking back it was an admirable skill really.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Lee: The fact anyone would, of their own volition, choose to listen to music we have lovingly created is the best, unfathomable bonus you can get from being in a band. So that being said - I like them very much! Whoever, whatever, or wherever they are.

14. What do you think of our site?

Lee: It’s been very nice being here thanks for inviting me in to mooch about!

15. Something to add?

Lee: Our single Reactor is out now on Hassle records - give it a try and see if you like it’s fit - https://youtu.be/HTDFdyyRNhQ . That and learn to love instant coffee, you’ll love a richer, easier life in doing so. For tour dates and more, see - https://linktr.ee/bluestragglers