Tall Ships have been fussing up a storm in the South East recently, with airplay on Radio 1 and touring with the likes of Tubelord and Men. I caught up with the Falmouth lads after their support slot for Minus the Bear at the London Scala.

You just played with Minus the Bear! How did it go for you?

Jamie: Fucking awesome.

Rick: Epic! Yeah, epic. Epic.

Were you nervous?

Rick: Very much so, yeah. I was shitting bricks!

You’ve done three dates with them, were you nervous every time?

Rick: Just tonight really, the first one was fine and quite casual!

You started in Edinburgh, Sheffield last night. But which was the best?

All: Tonight!

Rick: A thousand people! This is hands down our biggest gig.

Matt: Just wicked man, just wicked.

You’re also playing with Maps & Atlases next month. You must love your booking manager! But are there any other bands that you’re dying to play with?

Jamie: Well, Craig David.

Matt: Craig’s fucking awesome.

Rick: Craig. Err, a bit of Biffy?

Do you think she can pull it out of the hat?

Matt: Oh yeah, she’s a superstar. We love you Debbie!

Rick: Guns n Roses man!

You mentioned Biffy, what did you think of the last album?

Jamie: Hmm I wasn’t keen on Puzzle, but I’m quite keen on this.

I think it’s shit.

Matt: *really high voice* I like it! It’s good! It’s good stuff! I’m speaking a bit high.

(At this point, Rick got bombarded by fans, leaving me with the rhythm section)

OK. So that’s two American bands who it’s fair to say are legends in their own right. Can we expect to see Tall Ships break through in the USA anytime soon?

Matt: I bloody hope so.

Jamie: We’re still trying the South East!

Matt: Ha-ha! We haven’t really thought about it. We’re looking to go to Europe but we still haven’t played loads of places in England yet.

Jamie: Yeah, it’s a long process but one day yeah, hopefully.

The USA aside, how do you manage all this gigging in regards to family and work? You mentioned your European tour. You must work pretty hard to keep your bosses happy?

Jamie: If you want to do this you’ve really got to give up your life for it.

Matt: We’ve got friends, long-term girlfriends, family.

Do they come with you?

Matt: No. I’ve split up with my long-term girlfriend and am miles away from my family, but it’s worth it. It’s fine. I’m gonna’ have a cry now if that’s alright.

Ha, ok. Tell us about the EP.

Jamie: It’s called ‘There’s Nothing but Chemistry Here’, it’s out on Big Scary Monsters and Blood & Biscuits. It’s been pushed back a bit though to the 24th October. It’s 5 tracks, really brand new; we’ve only played two of them. And it has a really old track that’s been knocking around for a while. It’s a lot different from the last EP; it’s a bit more… mature? It’s quite a jump.

Brilliant. Lastly, what’s the story behind the name?

Jamie: Fuck it, I can’t remember!

Matt: We were at uni in Falmouth.

Jamie: There are ships everywhere.

Matt: Yeah. It means nothing, ha-ha!

I see. Were you in bands before then?

Matt: Yeah they’re all on MySpace but we don’t want to talk about them!

(Rick returns)

Rick: Yeah, so…

words John Bell

bottom photo Joe John

myspace.com/tallshipsfromfalmouth

This entry was tagged as craig david, falmouth, interview, minus the bear, MUSIC., tall ships, there's nothing but chemistry here.