Check out the new album by Pet Needs. They are on tour too. Here’s a Q and A.
Hello Pet Needs………..welcome to the DeClunk universe
Please describe your surroundings so that we can all settle down together.
I am currently sitting in a flat in Austin, watching the sun emerge over a backdrop of high rise buildings.
Please introduce the band and tell us what each person brings to Pet Needs.
Johnny – vocals. Songwriter, show off. Terrible dancer.
George – guitarist. Arranger. Two finger solo wonder.
Ryan – bassist. The proper musician in the band.
Jack – drummer. Driver. YouTuber!
How did you all meet and get the band together?
The band started when my brother George moved from our hometown of Derby to sleep on my sofa in Colchester, Essex. We didn’t mean to form a band, but both had guitars and started kicking tunes about together… That was over seven years ago now!
How did the name Pet Needs come about? We want to know whether there were any other names in the hat and what they were.
We were offered a show so needed a name. I stumbled home after a night out and went to feed my cat. On the side of the cat food it said, “Your PET NEEDS to be fed twice a day”. I thought, that’ll do for now! And it stuck!
We kicked about some other names both they were absolutely awful, too bad to remember!
The album ‘Intermittent Fast Living’ is out and it’s ace. We are going to splash out some cash and get the vinyl. Tell us all about it. What inspired the lyrics and music? Is there a thread running through it?
This album is a love letter to living small through the lens of the chaos of the road. The lyrics were inspired by celebrating normality. Since being thrown into touring the world I’ve found an even deeper appreciation for my life at home. So that was the catalyst, then the songs ran off in multiple directions!
Is there a tour? Are you coming anywhere near Carlisle?
For now I think Manchester is the closest. We are doing a short 10-date tour in April, then hopefully some more UK dates in the latter half of the year!
For a future video for you I was thinking about an old man, sitting in a rocking chair, next to a lake, smoking a pipe, clutching his ironing board. Fancy it? I am available to play that old man for a couple of pints.
Ha! Sounds gloriously bizarre. Let’s make it happen!
A couple of times a year me and my mate go fishing. It involves a vast amount of beer and music. Usually by around 11 at night we have our own little disco. Luckily nobody has ever witnessed these 2 old men in wellies doing their thing. Yes, you are invited. What would be your drunken bankside disco playlist be?
Well, firstly, this sounds absolutely perfect. I’d be blast out Art Brut, PULP, Random Hand, Against Me!, Sex Pistols and maybe a bit of Beyoncé!
If we were to come to your neck of the woods for a weekend where would you take us? You are the Entertainment Committee!
I 100% would take you to A House For Essex. It was a house designed by Grayson Perry in tribute to a fictional lady named Julie. It’s incredible architecture with an amazingly creative story. Unfortunately it costs thousands to stay there, but if you’re lucky and you go as the sun is setting, sometimes the lights are left on and you can see some of Grayson’s massive, vibrant tapestries through the window.
Could you give us the names of a few bands we should check out?
Generation Feral, Dingus Khan, Gaffa Tape Sandy and Bridget! Especially Generation Feral as she is our tour support in the UK!
Thanks for taking the time with DeClunk. We look forward to seeing you in action!
Cheers!
DeClunk 