Weekly > Interviews
Former Bullies
Former Bullies are a two piece, Nick Ainsworth takes up vocals and guitar, while Tom Settle is on drums. So far in their relatively short career the have supported the likes of Nine Black Alps and Evan Dando and released the excellent World Ended single on High Voltage Records, which gained a glowing four star rating with us here at The Beat Surrender.
We caught up with Nick recently to find out how things were progressing with the next single, how the live dates had gone and all in all tired the poor lad out with our questions….these rock stars no stamina these days!
Firstly I’ve got to ask where the name of the group comes from. You look such nice, respectable rock n rollers surely you weren’t school bullies were you?
When choosing a name for the band we didn’t want it to be a really shitty, clichéd band name. Former Bullies is definitely a good band name, it must be if you’re interested to know about it. I hope it makes people think. But Tom & I weren’t bullies. I saw a programme a while ago in which a thirteen-year-old girl was forever tagged a ‘Former Bully’. I just thought that was funny. It’s pretty hard to recover from that, it seems very permanent.
Congratulations on the release of your debut single (World Ended on High Voltage Records) it must feel like a real landmark moment?
It does. But it’s what follows that might truly make it a landmark moment. We need to use this release and build on it. It’s a big step for us, and a step closer to achieving what we want. I want to release a lot more records. I want to do this for a long time.
I like the fact that it’s a limited release and only on vinyl, I’m a traditionalist with singles! High Voltage releases tend to be like this, is that a business decision or are we seeing a return to the more traditional ‘indie values’ that used to be so common in the more independent labels?
I think Rich (High Voltage’s One Man Empire) has a business direction but that is to return to more traditional ‘indie values’. He definitely has a passion and genuinely sees promise in the band’s he releases. High Voltage is run on a very small budget so this kind of release is the easiest and fastest way to get things out.
The b-sides are both very interesting tracks, I love the title Chorley Cemetery, it conjures up a real image in your head, is there a story behind that track?
Chorley. Chorley as a whole is the story. Chorley is the town nearest to where Tom & I grew up. You just have to visit to understand, it’s the truth. I guess the second verse (Venice) is trying to reflect & highlight the fact that wherever you come from, be it Chorley or Venice eventually becomes stale and grey. Speaking from experience Chorley can definitely bring you down.
You sound far angrier musically on that track as well, I imagine it’s a live favourite?
I know Tom & I love playing that song. We usually close out a show with it. It all ends in one last beautiful, sweaty, noisy hurrah. We toured earlier this year with Nine Black Alps, Sam & David from that band liked it so much that they become entangled in the afore mentioned hurrah, picking up their guitars and adding considerably to the noise.
All three tracks on the single are quite diverse, was that an important factor that you considered on your first EP, that you showed a diverse range of song writing?
For sure. If this is to become a landmark moment, I want it to be something I can always be proud of. It definitely shows where we are as a band at the moment. We aren’t limited to writing in a certain style, it’s better that way.
I see from your website that you’ve started work on your next single, are these brand new tracks or ones from your live set that you are now wanting to put to record?
Not quite yet actually but very soon. The songs I think we are going to use are newer songs (they’ve never been recorded in any form) but of late we have started playing them live. I’m excited to see what people will think.
Weblinks
Add to favouritesHave you got a release date in mind for the second single?
It looks like it will be October some time.
Do you feel any pressure in following up World Ended after the glowing reviews it’s received?
No. The reviews I’ve read do nothing but encourage me. It seems that it isn’t just Tom & I that think Former Bullies is a good idea. Some reviews especially (Beat Surrender included) really seemed to understand what makes our songs more interesting than a lot of guitar based music. Plus I really like reading about myself.
Have you got a deal in place for an album release?
I wish.
Despite having no musical talent I’ve always wanted to be a lead singer, this led to me thinking about a debut album title when I was younger, despite it being a distant dream…..Have you had anything in mind title wise for your debut or are you going to do what so many people seem to do and go down the eponymous route?
I’m sure we’ll think of something suitably witty and cutting when the moment arrives. Nothing as yet though.
You’re based in Manchester which obviously has a rich history of producing bands, has any of that history been an influence on you at all?
Not really. Sorry.
It’s unusual for the type of music you’re playing for there to be just two of you, how did you come to the decision to stay as a duo rather than expand to a more traditional three or four piece?
It’s a lot easier. To me it sounds better. I think the songs suit the sound and vice-versa.
You’ve opened up for a lot of bands and artists recently, how has that been for you?
Good. In the relatively short time we’ve been a band we’ve opened for some of my favourites. People/Bands like Evan Dando, Jeff Lewis, Giant Sand, Simon Joyner, Herman Dune. It tends to be the case that at these sort of shows people are more open to new music and therefore give the support act a chance. Also I’m pleased we’ve got to play at these shows on our own merits. We haven’t got anyone pushing us or representing us so our playing is directly down to the artist or the promoter liking our band.
Fans tend to have particular venues that they consider their favourites to watch a band in, I presume it’s the same from a musicians point of view?
For me, not really. We’ve played some of our best shows in the supposed worst venues. Former Bullies really play the same wherever we are.
Is there a dream venue that you’d like to headline at in the future?
My dream venue is where/when everyone in the audience thinks we are the best band ever. I don’t want to take over the world, I just want our music to be enjoyed by a lot of people.
Which has been the highlight for you gig wise so far, the one gig where you come off stage knowing you’ve nailed it and gone down a storm?
After our first London show opening for NBA at the Barfly we knew we’d played an awesome show. I guess that was a highlight for me. I couldn’t care less what the audience thought.
Thanks for talking to us and good luck with the single
Thank you. I hope the answers are ok. I was getting pretty tired by the end!
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