Grandfather Time

Grandfather Birds
From: Newcastle, United Kingdom

Stuart, guitarist extraordinaire with Newcastle glitchelectrockers Grandfather Birds, has taken some time out from preparing to rock the free world at the summer festivals to tell the Devil about his secret Cotton Eyed Joe fetish, the bands rugged good looks and his pet cat's counselling skills.

The Devil: Why Grandfather Birds?

Stuart: The name is from a Terry Pratchett novel called "nation." Matt (guitar/vocals) took the name from characters that resemble giant vulture type birds. we just started using it and it stuck.

The Devil: What other names did you ponder before deciding it had to be Grandfather Birds?

Stuart: I'm not sure we did to be honest. I constantly say stupid things that think could be good band names. Awesome horses was my suggestion (I like it - The Devil)

The Devil: Who are the biggest influences in your life and on your music?

Stuart: Musically we're all massive Radiohead heads (isn't everyone?) We draw influence from all over. I'm a big Mogwai fan. Jim (Lead Bass) loves loads of weird eclectic prog, mixed with john williams' soundtracks. Mick (Drums/Vocals) loves Savage Garden. I think we're probably somewhere in between all that.

In Life, parents are always an influence, I wouldn't be doing half the things I do now if it wasn't for my dear ol' Mam saying "do what you want, and don't bloody regret anything" and there's some very special friends that I value the opinion of in what I do. And of course Lars Ulrich, from Metallica. The world's richest idiot. If he can do it, anyone can kids!

The Devil: What was the first record you owned and what was the first record you ever bought with your own money?

Stuart: Cotton Eye Joe and Cotton Eye Joe.

Really.

The Devil: What makes Grandfather Birds stand out from the millions of other bands across the world? What makes you unique?
Stuart: Our rugged good looks, of course.

I think uniqueness is impossible, especially if you're an unsigned band. people will constantly refer to you as "someone else-esque" but personally i think we've got a nice thing going on musically. it's all about the vibes, and ours are definitely vibrating.

The Devil: Which bands or artists on the current music scene make your spine tingle with joy?

Stuart: We're bang into the scene around us in newcastle. Everyone is amazing and gets along really well despite it not being genre specific. Its such a nice community to be dwelling in right now. John Edgar (aka Nately's Whore's Kid Sister) writes some sublimely dark music that just warms your soul. We're huge fans of Mammal Club, Holy Mammoth and Let's Buy Happiness, they're all making great sounds and deserve to be massive. my ol' faithful though is Baskin's Wish, who make beautiful pop that's like Burt Bacarach playing weezer songs. Best of both worlds in my opinion...

Further afield I'm very excited about The Safety Fire releasing their debut album. so much time and effort has goes into their music, and its simply mind blowing. check 'em out!

The Devil: Favourite song?

Stuart: Ever? Err, Cotton Eye Joe? Nah, probably "This Must Be The Place" by Talking Heads.

Currently I can't go a day without listening to "California Sunrise" by Dirty Gold.

The Devil: Favourite book?

Stuart: Catch 22.

The Devil: Favourite Movie?

Stuart: One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest.

The Devil: Favourite word?

Stuart: "Diabetes"

The Devil: Tell me something that you've never told anyone before.

Stuart: In times of need I refer to my cat for advice. He's not failed me yet.

The Devil: If you weren't in Grandfather Birds how would you keep yourself occupied?

Stuart: I'd probably be attempting to make music of some sorts, and generally complaining about how It's not working...and doing what I do now, which is work in a bar and try my best to chat up lasses. and I'd be on facebook ALL the time. standard.

The Devil: If you were interviewing yourself what would your killer question be and how would you answer it?

Stuart: Q. What would you like to drink? A. I'll have a diet IRN BRU please.

killer.

The Devil: Is there anything else you'd like to tell the Devil Has The Best Tuna readers?

Stuart: We've got a new single called "higher bridges" that we're launching in Newcastle on May 3rd, followed by a northern tour. It was recorded outdoors under several bridges in Newcastle with Little Comets' guitarist Micky Coles, in the dead of night over a few weeks. You can check out all our online dwellings such as facebook, tumblr and myspace (see links below) for details on where we're playing and how we look and that.

Oh, and keep reading "the devil has the best tuna", cos it's the bomb y'all.

Go Try

Fourteen Mile by grandfather_birds

The Woods by grandfather_birds

Go Visit

Grandfather Birds - Myspace : Tumblr: Last.FM : Facebook : Twitter

Go View

Grandfather Birds
Higher Bridges