Tell us about yourselves and what you do?
We are Henrys Funeral Shoe and we play rock ‘n’ roll. Although, we've been described as garage, blues punk. To us its just good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll.
How did you start out?
We're brothers, so we've been together since Brennig (younger by 9 and a half years) came along and disturbed my sleep. The band started after I returned from doing session work with a pop band in London. It wasn't really my thing so I decided to come home and have some time away from music. After 10 years of struggling for the" big break", numerous bands, failed record and development deals and seeing the bad side of the business I just wanted to lay back a bit, the fun had gone. Brennig’s band had ended and he pestered me to start jamming with him. I was reluctant, as I was happy doing the odd solo acoustic gig. I finally submitted and when we plugged in it felt amazing and more importantly, fun.
What is your current release?
Our current release is our second album, Donkey Jacket.
What is the best part of being in a band?
There is so much good about being in a band. The biggest thrill is having your songs released, especially on vinyl and playing live is the icing on the cake. We love that part of it. It doesn't sound very ambitious for a band to say this but the small places are the best, it’s like a party atmosphere and everyone is in it together.
What is your most significant moment yet?
Releasing our 2nd album. I've never made it this far with any band. Also, touring. We've done a number of tours and it’s vital for anyone in a band to be able to tour.
What are your biggest musical influences?
Despite my brother being an amazing drummer he doesn't listen to music. He loves the Who, that's it. If he's not behind the kit he's behind a Play Station. I'm a music nut, I love everything. I wish I would win the lottery so I could buy every album. I started off listening to Robert Johnson, Ry Cooder and Nirvana. I'm mostly listening to Hip Hop and the Carter Family at the moment.
What venue/gig do you most want to play?
Jools Holland then off to the Albert Hall. They're not to far away from each other. Keep the carbon footprint down.
What is your best/favourite song you have written?
Pretty impossible to answer. There's plenty I wish we had.
What’s your favourite album of this year?
Tom Waits, ‘Bad As Me’ and Ry Cooder, ‘Pull Up Some Dust and Sit Down’.
What does the next six months have in store for you?
More gigs, hopefully some tours. Our song ‘Dog Scratched Ear’ has been short-listed for a BBC show, I'm hoping that comes off to help raise our profile.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Jools Holland then over the road to the Albert Hall.
What’s the best thing about Americana-UK?
It’s the quality of the music being focused on, not just the more commercially viable bands. A-UK incorporates more than just its title and a whole spectrum of what surrounds alt. country music.
