The Sherlocks Q&A: "we want to produce music which makes people feel good."
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It would be elementary to say 2016 was a good year for The Sherlocks. Between selling out their hometown venue, the Sheffield Leadmill – the first unsigned band to do so since the Arctic Monkeys – and a coveted support slot with British rock titans The Libertines on their arena tour, the young indie four-piece have been steadily cultivating a name for themselves. As they gear up for their first Highland gig, frontman Kiaran Crook talks about visiting the region for the first time, surviving life on the road – and sharing pizza with Peter Doherty...
You’re coming to Inverness as the first date of a 35-date tour across the UK/Ireland – how excited are you to be back on the road?
“We are truly buzzing to get back on the road. Feels like it’s been way to long even though it’s only been a matter of months. Really excited to get up there and play to a new audience more than anything, we always enjoy having to win people over! Its going to be a long drive up from our hometown, we worked it out at around 10 hours+ with pit stops etc. We are really excited though to visit Inverness and play to the fans up there, it still blows us away people know who we are up there.”
Have you ever visited Inverness/the Highlands before? If so, any good/funny/embarrassing stories to share? And are you looking forward to playing up north?
“We’ve never been that far up unfortunately. However, you could say that just adds to the excitement to be honest. New place, new people – can’t wait. What we have found from playing in Scotland previously is that the Scottish people really know how to have a great time at gigs. They sing every word back at you! When we go to the merch stand after the gigs, the love from the fans is incredible. There is a fantastic vibe at all our gigs in Scotland and we are very thankful to them.”
What can we look forward to from your gig? How would you describe yourselves as a live act?
“As a live act I’d say we’re very refreshing. There hasn’t been a band like us in a while and it feels like everyone has to be ‘far out’ and ‘quirky’ to be recognised – but they all just seem to be merging into one. We’re just normal lads that appeal to the majority of people with great tunes and we buzz off the crowd. Everyone knows if they come to one of our gigs they’re going to be in for a great night – before we even come on stage the crowd are chanting our name, and it’s incredible to say we haven’t even put out an album yet. There really is a special atmosphere at our gigs, everyone feels a part of the same journey.”
How would you describe yourselves to somebody who hasn’t listened to your music yet?
“Our music is very uplifting and positive – we want to produce music which makes people feel good. The beauty about our music is that we have so many different styles of tracks. A lot of bands these days could be described as a one trick pony, but we have so much to offer in terms of musical style it’s incredible. I believe it’s down to being in the band for 6 years, we’ve taken our time and grown as musicians to craft our own sound.”
Being cramped up with the same people in a van for a month and a half – how on earth will you all cope? Or is it a breeze spending so much time together?
“It’s not as bad as it sounds, we’ve learnt how to live with each other. We keep busy and stay active when we can. We love being on the road – it’s home to us, it’s all we really know. We have been on the road solid now for the last six years and we love it all. It’s great meeting new people and hearing their story of how they discovered the band.”
Last year, you supported the Libertines during their arena tour. What was it like to play in some of the biggest venues across the country, with one of the biggest bands in the country? Any good stories?
“We’ve always dreamed of playing arenas and always believed we would. It was a great experience and a taste of what’s to come. We had a chat with all the band and bumped into Peter on our way out of the back door, he had two pizzas in his hand, offered me a slice and had a few photos. He was charming, polite and a good laugh. He was a true gentleman and it was a privilege to meet someone who we have grown up listening to his music.”
You’ve said before that the Arctic Monkeys are a big influence on your music. How did it feel to be the first unsigned band to sell out the Sheffield Leadmill – your hometown venue, as well – since they did?
“It felt great to share an achievement with such an iconic Sheffield band. It’s always a special night to come back home, and there was a good feeling in the air that night. We’ve sold it out twice now, which is an incredible achievement – I’m not sure if that’s a history made to be honest, an unsigned band selling out the Leadmill twice? The fans behind us in Sheffield are just on another level, when we come back and play they tear the roof off the venue.”
If you could pick just one track/video by yourselves as an introduction for listeners, which one would it be and why?
“It would probably have to be Will You Be There? because I feel it is our biggest leap forward so far and is a bookmark for our progress as musicians. Sonically it was a massive step forward everyone is digging the progression in sound. We feel like we are in a great place at the moment in terms of writing new tracks. I believe this track captures what The Sherlocks are all about, upbeat, pumping, feel good music that makes you want to get up and go!”
The Sherlocks play Mad Hatters on Wednesday, February 1. Doors open at 7.30pm and tickets are £11. Visit www.hootanannyinverness.co.uk
