I conducted an interview with the band Canterbury, these are the interview notes:
Luke Prebble (Bass and vocals) and Mike Sparks (Vocals and Guitar)
So what were your inspirations for making Canterbury?
All grew up together in Surrey, went to live gigs and saw musicians, all friends and saw how much passion other bands have, Luke: “And I was just like, Fuck I wanna do this” Luke was in a band called Lucky For Some, changed its name to Canterbury, Mike was in a band which disbanded. Both bands played together. Mike Joined Canterbury. Mike: “I guess what we thought was don’t get your hopes up”
What helped Canterbury this far, making an album and a headline tour?
All friends throughout school, everyone helped each other. Couldn’t play many gigs so focussed on writing songs. Main thing for them was music. Wrote thank you 2 years before it was released, recorded it after college. “We’re still proud of ‘Thank You’” worked hard, it wasn’t just snapped up a record deal like that and had their fame handed to them, they worked up towards bigger and bigger gigs
Who were your idols as the band was growing, influences?
Luke: Patrick Stump from Fall Out Boy, great voice, and one of the first good singers I sung along to. Brother’s driving lessons with their dad, would sit in the back of the car and sing along to FOB, Dad claims that is why Luke can sing so well.....Blink-182 and New Found Glory, Sugar cult (says Mike)
What was the best gig you’ve done and what makes the night enjoyable?
Luke: “It’s amazing to be able to say our most recent gig must be out best, having 500 hundred people singing the words back to you is just, manic” being an unsigned band, it’s like a reality check, and quite humbly. Southampton was a sell out gig, even weeks before the night the tickets had gone.
Plans For 2011?
Mike: “World Domination”Have around 40 songs, will release a new album. Possibly re launch Gloria and give it some justice, kind of unhappy with the reception compared to Calm Down, radio release with Fern Cotton. Luke: “it’s going to be a tough road, but we’ll try” possible record deal? Playing at Leeds and Reading, dream to be up there playing in front of so many people. Arenas, Luke: “Never say no. I mean 500 people in London was great, but now 1000? We’re content with smaller venues at this stage, but if we are still here in a year then I won’t be happy.” If you don’t believe in yourself, you won’t ever get there”
What was it like playing with ‘youmeatsix’?
Mike: “Fucking good at helping you. They are the kind of band who will help out smaller bands”. Luke: “Guaranteed fun, awesome guys. We’re all from Surrey and we got on really well, sometimes if we’re with a band from like Scotland we can sometimes clash or get on really well, but with these guys it was great”.
What would be your ideal tour?
Luke: “Jimmy Eat World with a tour in America. Like a 50 date tour in every state. They’re a fucking amazing band writing fucking good music.” Blink would be amazing, if a little daunting.
Support or Headlining?
Totally different. Headlining it’s like your show, people have come to see you while supporting you’re like warming up the crowd. Luke: “with like supporting you’re probably gonna be packed up by like 9, sound check at half 7, half an hour set from 8 to half 8, but with headlining you won’t get back til about 2. We’d get on about 10, which is usually like a wind down time, but it’s when we’re just starting. We get to the end and I’m like ‘Its like 11pm and I’m fucking buzzin’!”
Mike: “yeah it’s really tiring sometimes. You can’t even sleep in, you need to be out of travel lodges by midday.”
