All night partying and schmoozing with Melvyn Benn are just some of the band's recent festival experiences. So are they looking forward to Leeds/Reading and their stint on the BBC Introducing Stage?
Martha talks to front man James Waudby about Horse Guards Parade, who have been together no time at all but have a musical pedigree most bands would die for.
JAMES: We came together when Archie and I started writing some songs in his bedroom in the summer of 2008. We had worked together a few times over the last five years or so but it seemed to come together instantly this time. When we had an album of songs we started recruiting other members, Carl on keyboards, who both Archie and myself had worked with before, Chris on bass and Sheik (former Last People On Earth keyboard player) on drums who we both knew.
RT: You have been described as a ‘Northern band with a country soul’, and we can definately hear the Neil Young influence in your music, is that fair to say?
JAMES: Ha,ha, I’m listening to Neil Young as I write this (Tonight’s the Night), so I suppose you could say he is a little bit of an influence! I’m not sure what we sound like, people say a bit Psychedelic, a bit folk. I’m sure there is some country in there too, Gram Parsons probably. I just like music which has a bit of soul to it.
RT: How is the band coping, it seems like it’s been a whirlwind from forming, releasing EP and then to hit the summer festivals, did you expect it?
JAMES: We’re coping well. We’ve all been in bands before which have had some degree of success ( James was the driving force behind Adelphi favourites Salako a few years back) but never really made it, so we’re just seeing what happens. People seem to like what we’re doing though and we do seem to be getting some positive feedback so we’re pleased.
James in practice for one man tent living at Leeds
RT: How did Leeds Festival come about for the band and was there much whooping and hollering when you found out?
JAMES: Well you guys put us up for it and then Claire Thomas from BBC introducing asked us to do it. That’s as much as I know. Whatever happened, I’m just going with it. Don’t want to ask too many questions as they might realise they’ve made a mistake!
RT: Have you got a set list down, new material, more rehearsals, costumes? What are your preparations?
JAMES: We are only allowed to play a twenty-five minute set, so we’ve been working out the best songs to play. I think we’ll play four or five songs. I suppose the set will have to be quite up beat as well. That’s not our normal style, but we’ll see.
RT: Tell us about the press day for Leeds and meeting with Melvyn Benn (head of Festival Republic who run Leeds/Reading).
JAMES: The press day was funny. We went along, drank their beer, gave out our cds and met some nice people. Melvyn Benn was really nice, someone told us he was from Hull so we just went up to him and said: “Are you from Hull?” It turns out that he went to the same school as me, Andrew Marvell! He was also pretty down to earth, although he has a bit of a posh accent now, especially for someone who grew up on Bilton Grange Estate!
We also met Nick Lane Fox and his wife who own Bramham Park (the Leeds festival location). He came up to us and said he used to be in the Horse Guards – he wasn’t lying, there are pictures of him on horse back wearing a daft hat in his toilet. He was a really nice guy, and he had listened to our MySpace! So we had our photos taken with him and decided it would be best if we didn’t mention that we are staunch anti-monarchists.
RT: You will be a Raw Talent blogger during Leeds festival. Can we expect a a warts and all account of your experience?
JAMES: Absolutely, I write it just like I drink my coffee, black and sour.
RT: Although there are fantastic bands and music on the BBC Introducing stage, looking at the line up as a whole who would you fight through mud and seas of people to catch live?
JAMES: There doesn’t seem to be any bands playing the same days as us that I would particularly want to see. Sorry. Of the other days I’d watch Radiohead, The Horrors, Titus Andronicus. That’s about it I think.
RT: Pulled Apart By Horse’s drummer played so hard on the stage last year he was sick – can we expect the same commitment from HGP?
JAMES: You can expect the same commitment, but I think our injuries will be more mental than physical. As will the audiences.
RT: You've played many festivals before, have you any bizarre festival memories?
JAMES: Lots. Arguing with Coldplay at an Italian festival. Drinking in the backstage bar at Benicasim festival in Spain. I could go on..
The band live in session on Raw Talent
RT: Who will be last up at night and who will be first out of the tent in the morning?
JAMES: Well we just played The Big Chill festival and Carl our keyboard player didn’t go to sleep at all during the weekend. I got up about 8:00 on the Sunday morning and saw him staggering towards the tent, so Carl and me respectively.
RT: Playing Leeds Friday then Reading Saturday, are HGP travelling in style from North to South? Train, plane, white transit van?
JAMES: No, two cars. A bit boring really.
RT: HGP are sitting around in the campsite having a late-night, messing about and making sweet music. What is the one song guaranteed to make you get your guitar out and serenade the neighbours?
JAMES: Rocky Racoon from the white album. We’ll be the ones playing air piano.
Horse Guards Parade play Reading Festival on Saturday night at 7.15pm and Leeds Festival on Friday at 6.35pm. Follow James' blog on the Raw Talent website and listen to their set in Raw Talent's live show from the festival on Sunday night.
