From South East Essex comes the formidable hard rock/hard brit-pop quartet Strangers. Formally George Sanders and The Parallels, this line up is led by front man George, bassist Matthew Latter, Tom Carey on rhythm guitar, with Dylan Stubbings holding the rhythm down on drums.
Inspired by the tones and riffs of British rock icons of yesteryear, Strangers are putting loud, unapologetic guitar sounds at the fore of their sound. With the aim of reviving guitar music for all ages, debut single 'On The Outside' is sure to be the first in a long line of big indie hitters.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I’ve always loved music from such a young age. I suppose when I wanted to learn how to play music I naturally gravitated towards the guitar as I’d already spent 10 years idolising Justin Hawkins.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I got the majority of my music taste off my dad and my uncle, they were big on rock music so I ended up listening to the same. My first musical love was Oasis, being a 90's baby it was the “mainstream” thing at the time so they we’re everywhere. As the years went on I completely fell in love with The Darkness in the early 2000’s after my uncle bought me ‘Permission To Land’. Then I discovered The Beatles, and musically for me everything changed.
What was the first album you remember owning?
As I mentioned before my uncle bought me ‘Permission To Land’ when I was like 5 or 6, although I’d always go through my dad’s rock CD’s I’ll always remember that Darkness album as being “mine”, like that wasn’t one I’d nicked out the cupboard, that one was explicitly mine.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
This is a hard one, there’s so many iconic songs. Strawberry Fields Forever comes to mind for it’s sentimental reasons for me (and its an iconic tune), Bohemian Rhapsody is on the list of course, I think that’d be on everyone’s list. But for me right now, I’d take Don’t Look Back In Anger. It’s not the most musically complex, but it defined a generation. And even today it resonates with everyone. Id have a bit of that.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Not particularly, for me I suppose it sounds a bit pretentious, but it’s just whatever I’m feeling in the moment. I’ll jump on a guitar and just noodle chords. I think the song subconsciously writes itself depending on how i’m feeling; happy or sad or whatever. After 10-15 minutes of noodling you could have an entire song and a vocal melody, all you’ve got to do is put some actual lyrics down. Other times I’ll have nothing for a month.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I’m a bit stuck in my ways with music. I like what I like, there’s no new artists now I’m really into. More so waiting on my favourite artists to release stuff. I’m looking forward to Catfish And The Bottlemens new stuff, The Darkness have an album in the works apparently so I can’t wait for that. A Noel Gallagher album it’s always a good hit too.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
The Darkness, because I asked Justin when I met him in London and he said no so I want to prove him wrong!
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
I love seeing people enjoying my music. For me, and us as a band we don’t use fancy gear, no loop pedals, no special computer generated effects. It’s all live, and when we gig and people are into it I feel a sense of joy that there’s still people out there who can get up for 4 losers playing rock tunes. Rock won’t die anytime soon.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Sound engineers asking us to be in the heart of London for a 2pm midweek sound check! Like come on pal, grow up.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Don’t let anyone dictate what you do or how you feel. For me this was so important. Before I started playing music I was always the shy kid, self conscious of what people thought of me, never wanted to speak in front of people, always worried about how what I did would be perceived. And a wise old owl once told me, quite simply, who gives a fuck what they think. And i'll never forget it.
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Strangers' debut single 'On The Outside' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.