The Everly Pregnant Brothers’ frontman talks Christmas gigs, other projects and what makes Sheffield so special…
First of all Shaun, how are you? What’ve you been up to?
Ayup, I’m really good at the moment, I’ve had a month of ‘holiday’ between day jobs but I’m about to start a new job which is right up my street. Obviously I’ve been gigging with the Brothers, but also doing a lot of DJ gigs, MC, hosting and compere gigs and a bit of stand up comedy, as well as writing new songs with my other band, Tiny Barbara’s Surf Club, which features old mate Toby Foster and Tim McNeill from the band Fear Lies.
It’s been another great year for the Brothers, (Tramlines, two Crimbo gigs coming up), how are you all?
Well, we’re fast getting the title of the illest band in the world, not in a hip hop sense, more in the fact that we’re a bunch of crocks! Bails has a back injury, Pete is back to almost 100% after his liver transplant, Dave has had ticker troubles and I’m still a big fat lad with diabetes! Other than that we’re all doing well, and it’s been a fantastic year.
What can we expect from those Christmas gigs? Any surprises in store?
The Christmas gigs are always special, the atmosphere is always a big party, the crowd are always amazing and the guests just get better and better. No spoilers but once again we do have some fabulous guests this year, some old faces, some new, and one thing is certain, Nick (Banks) is going to be a very busy lad over the two nights!
Look forward to it then! It was the 10th anniversary of the EPB first gigs last month, could you pick out a couple of highlights from this year?
Tramlines obviously, to play on the main stage for the second year running alongside the likes of Reverend & The Makers, Johnny Marr, the Courteeners was great, but what made it really awesome was the crowd, over 30,000 of them, all singing along, waving, bouncing and generally giving us the love that spurs us on. We have an amazing following, any band would love to have fans like ours. Other highlights have been Holmfirth Picturedrome, Woodseats Club, Islington O2, and the little intimate gigs that we’ve done along the way too.
Any plans for 2020? A return to the Fat Cat roof perhaps?
Sadly, due to the increase in residential properties around Kelham Island, the Fat Cat bog roof is now out of bounds, but we are doing a couple of special gigs throughout next year, some smaller, and a couple of big gigs that I hope the fans will be really up for. Expect a couple of surprises as well. Also we’ll be starting work on a new album to follow up the latest album Biffin’s Bridge which is out now! Also, our full back catalogue is going to be available to buy from HMV in Sheffield and Meadowhall.
What else have you been up to this year? Any other projects?
So, there’s the other band, which we’ve opened Wentworth Festival with for the last three years. We’ve played covers up to now but now we’re writing our own songs, and we’ve got a new name ‘Tiny Barbara’s Surf Club’. That’s going really well.
I’m doing a lot of DJ gigs, some regular slots at Annie Murray’s Irish Bar in Barnsley, as well as parties, and pub gigs. I’m doing a lot of work as a host/compere/MC for various events, and I’ve done a few spots at the Last Laugh Comedy Club at the Lescar. Also in back March I returned to my first love, acting, I appeared in a play called ‘Me Brother Dan’ set during the first world war, and written by an amazing young woman called Molly Meleady. I’m looking at more acting in the New Year and maybe even writing a play of my own. I like to be busy!
You’re known to be a fan of the Old Horns up in Bradfield, what is it about the place you love?
The Old Horns, apart from being a great pub with great food, is situated in one of the most beautiful spots in the whole of the area, if not the north. It’s a place where I can go, sit, and just collect my thoughts, relax, and recharge my batteries, it’s like therapy, you always walk away feeling uplifted.
Agreed! Any other spots up in the Great North (Sheffield) that have a special place in your heart?
I’d have to say Our Cow Molly up at Dungworth, for the same reason, it’s a lovely place run by lovely people, and has a breath-taking view over Sheffield.
Great shout! Can you sum up Sheffield in a sentence?
Sheffield is the hidden jewel in the crown of the north, once discovered, always loved.
Love that. Last but certainly not least, what would be worse: running out of Hendo’s, or having to go to Rotherham?
Going to Rotherham is something I do a lot, TBSC practice in Rotherham, and I like the place a lot. Running out of Relish, that’s something I can’t even bring myself to think too much about, there’s always at least two bottles in our pantry at any time, I’ve been and bought Henderson’s just because I sensed we might be running low!
Keep up to date with Big Shaun on facebook.com/BigShaunEPB