Since they burst onto the UK music scene in 2012, The Spitfires have established themselves as one of the most vibrant and socially relevant bands in independent music. Their lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Billy Sullivan, reflects on his time in the group with Jason Barnard.
Hi Billy – You’re shortly embarking on a new UK tour, how does headlining your own shows compare with supporting more established acts?
Both are similar if I’m honest! Except with supporting someone, you’re potentially playing to a room full of people that have never heard/seen the band. Also depending on how established they are, the room could be a lot bigger than we’d attempt to do our own.
With our own headline gigs it’s good that the audience know the songs e.t.c
The Spitfires seem to be part of a lineage of great British bands from The Who, The Jam and The Specials. How much have these artists inspired you and what are your influences?
They’ve all inspired us. I think we all grew up listening to those bands and we couldn’t separate those roots from our music, even if we wanted to. They also made us more disciplined when it comes to writing good songs and being a good live band and musicians.
Most new bands don’t seem to spend enough time on that side of things. I’ve seen people get record deals before they’ve even played a gig or have got the band together – how the fuck does that work?!
What do you think of the current music scene and are there any other artists around today who keep you on your toes?
There’s a few good bands about – Touts, Megative, Social Room. Emily Capell who sung on ‘By My Side’ on our latest album is great too.
But the majority of it is rubbish. I think people are so desperate for something to excite them that they’ll jump on anything. And most of the time these bands have got a shelf life of only one album anyway.
You’ve been often been badged under the ‘mod’ label. Has that been a help or hindrance?
It was a help to begin with. It meant we stood out and possibly helped build a crowd for us. However these days it’s a bit of hindrance – as some people can’t get past it. They see parkas and sideburns and The Jam. Whereas I think there’s so much more to our music and us as a band – it sells us short. The age group it attracts is an older generation too, which is fine but I’d like to see more kids and young people at gigs.
How did the band form?
Me, Sam and Matt met at a fancy dress party! Which is about as interesting as it gets unfortunately. George joined about a year and a half ago when I bumped into him in the pub one night.
Where are you all from and how has it influenced your music?
Three of us are from Watford and Sam’s from Rayners Lane/near Harrow. It has definitely influenced our music. Being in a band, you have that escape where you go into a studio or you jump in a van and drive off to play gigs and leave it behind.
What inspires you to write?
Anything really. If I feel strongly enough about something then I tend to write about it at some point.
On tracks like ‘Something Worth Fighting For’ and ‘On My Mind’ are your lyrics drawn from direct experience or from observing others?
They may start off from direct experience but I find myself too boring and predictable to write about. So I exaggerate and add things about different people in there.
Are there any lyrical themes you return to?
Well after we’d finish recording an album, I’d always listen back and think ‘Fuck me that’s a bit bleak!’ But I suppose the subject matters can be quite bleak sometimes.
One theme that returns is trying to leave or escape somewhere and I suppose that reflects my feelings about my home town.
Where and how do you record?
We’ve recorded all three albums at CDS studios in Chelmsford and on ‘Year Zero’ we recorded bits and pieces at a studio in Watford called Broadfields. We’ve been very traditional in our approach to recording up until now, it’s all about the playing.
‘4am’ is a favourite of mine. What tracks across your three albums are the ones you are most proud of and why?
‘4am’ I’m definitely proud of. That for me was my first track where I thought I’d done something special. On the second album I’d say ‘Day To Day’ but ‘Return To Me’ is pretty good too. And on this current album I have a few – ‘Front Line’, ‘Over And Over Again’ and ‘The New Age’ I all love.
What are your plans after the tour as we go into 2019 – more new material?
Can’t say too much at the moment but hopefully it won’t be long before we have some new material!
The Spitfires UK tour starts next month, ending in February 2019. The latest album ‘Year Zero’ is also available.
Further details can be found at: thespitfires.org
