Interview: Miles Hunt out of the Wonder Stuff

Hard to believe but it’s been thirty years since The Wonder Stuff  first burst out of the black country and since then they’ve circled the world playing their tunes and selling a shedload of albums. They’re about to release their eighth album via Pledgemusic and they bring their anniversary tour to The 02 Academy on Thursday 17th March. Chief Stuffie Miles Hunt took the time to answer a few questions for us – a few quick fire throwaways and then some meatier propositions.

Star Trek or Star Wars? Star Trek. Big Sunny Festivals or Small Sweaty Clubs? Either are good with me, I like a bit of variety in my life. Judge Dredd or the Batman? Batman. Slade or the Sweet? Slade obviously.

Glad you’re back in Bristol, how have we treated you in the past?

Bristol is always a great gig for us, whether that’s Erica Nockalls and I playing one of our acoustic shows at The Thunderbolt or a full band gig at the O2 Academy, we’re always happy to be in Bristol. I guess we must’ve done something agreeable to Bristolians way back when.

What are the bands that you are all collectively happy to listen to on the road, and what bands drive massive wedges between you?

I honestly can’t imagine that there is one band that we would all be happy to listen to together. Recently Mark our bass player, Dan our guitarist and I were all in the same room listening to R.E.M’s Document and no punches were thrown.

Looking back, what were both the best and worst things about being a musician thirty years ago?

When we first starting touring, back in 1987, the audiences in some towns and cities in the UK still spat on the support bands, that has to be the worst. And the best…? I think there were more venues back then and they all had a bit more character than the homogenised venues of today.

And by contrast what are the best and worst things about being a musician in the 21st century?

Best thing… nobody spits on us anymore and worst… I’d like to be able to have a cigarette in the comfort of our dressing rooms after our shows rather than be made to stand outside in the pissing rain or freezing cold when I’ve just come off stage.

How important do you think artwork is for bands in these digital days?

I think everything about the digitising of music has only made matters worse. From CDs to those blessed mp3’s… I was happy with vinyl and great big chunks of artwork 40 years ago and I’m happy with that same combination today, it didn’t need messing with.

The NME, Kerrang! Mojo, Classic Rock – how important is print media to a working band in the age of social media?

I would imagine they are of little importance at all these days. I for one miss the combative nature of the old NME, Melody Maker and Sounds days. But then I do see the benefits of social media. If it came down to an actual fight, I’d go back to how things were before the internet

What’s the best new music you’ve heard in the past few months – any up and coming bands that you’d like to mention?

I very much enjoy the work of Future Islands, rarely have I seen or heard a vocalist that performs with such passion.

If you could hop back in time, is there any single key choice you’ve made that you’d like to change, and if so, what & why?

Yeah… there was a flat that I owned in that hip part of East London, before it became that hip part of East London, that had I hung onto it for a few more years I would’ve made an absolute killing on. Ah well… you live, you learn…

The Meltdown Festival enables artists to create a festival with an eclectic mix of artists & bands with some unlikely combinations and collaborations; given the opportunity who would you guys bring together at Meltdown?

I really couldn’t be arsed.

A duo from Brighton have recently been anointed by the fashion police as the saviour of guitar-based rock, the media regularly seem to think guitar based rock needs saving but I’ve certainly never seen it anywhere near death’s door over the past three decades – what’s your take?

I honestly don’t care what other people are up to musically, I keep myself entertained in that department. And as for the media’s opinions of what I, my friends or indeed musicians as yet unknown to me are up to… I gave up caring about that a long, long time ago.

During their time Elvis, the Stones, the Tubes, the Pistols, NWA, Lady Gaga and others have all shocked the mainstream and their fan’s parents…is there any way that a mere band can cause the same level of outrage and shock in the 21st century – especially given what can be found on the internet?

On stage suicide…?

In fact, should rock bands even be deliberately trying to shock anymore? If not, what is their purpose…?

Again, I really couldn’t care less.

Finally, what’s the most important piece of advice you’d give to a musician starting out right here, right now?

Don’t let technology do all the work for you. Familiarise yourselves with the lyrics of Bob Dylan and John Lydon; own everything ever released by David Bowie. And above all, remember, wherever your life in music ends up taking you, it was never about the destination so make sure you enjoy the ride.