BSI - The World's Greatest support act

Three months ago, The Baker Street Irregulars came fourth out of 42 bands to enter The Mill’s annual Battle Of The Bands, having been one of the favourites throughout the competition. After having a quiet few months the band meet Listen Up at The Mitre Tavern during their sound check for that evening’s gig.

The walls of The Mitre display flyers for some of Preston’s lesser known bands and the bar currently houses 12 people, including band and bar staff, and it is fair to say the venue will probably not get a whole lot busier before the night is out. So why is it that a band who last month played Avenham Park in front of around 200 people are back playing one of Preston’s smallest venues?

“It’s nice to have a close atmosphere,” explains Clippy, the band’s drummer, only to be interrupted by front man Fil.

“We’re one of those bands that people like but never come to see, we get a lot of regulars but never advertise enough to attract others.”

“In fact we’re the Worlds’ Greatest support act,” quips Clippy.

Introverts and extroverts

After barely a few minutes it becomes evident that this is one of those interviews it is going to be hard to control, let alone get a word in edgeways…..

There is a clear split in the band between introverts and extroverts. Clippy and Fil do 95% of any talking and usually have conflicting attitudes and opinions. The band refuses to disclose ages, claiming only that ‘we are all between 16 and 35, and none of us are 16 or 35.’

Fil is exuberant and enthusiastic about ‘his’ band, having assembled it two years ago after returning from university, making him at least 25, and has recently died his hair blonde to conceal the threat of oncoming baldness. It either works a treat, or he’s just not going bald at all. Clippy is more laid back and open, telling things as they are and always endeavouring to be realistic about the band.

Clippy: “The Battle of the Bands was too much too fast. We overplayed a bit really, four big gigs in the space of two months, we’ve not done too much since, we just want to get our album finished, it’s taken about six months but should be ready in the next few weeks.

Improved

Fil: “We improved so much because of The Battle of the Bands, the final was a disappointment because we thought we were better than fourth. Clip broke his foot 2 weeks before the final as well, which caused a problem. The semi-finals were awesome though.”

Clippy: “ Yeah we did move on as a band thanks to the BOTB, we’re looking to get gigs all round now and expand from Preston. We played at the Liverpool Barfly a while back and got ourselves on Lancaster student radio.

Fil: “We were in NME too. Nothing special just in the gigs section because we were playing at the Barfly, but we’ve still got a copy of it somewhere.”

One of the main problems The Baker Street Irregulars have is trying to get people to take them seriously as a band. They seem to enjoy all of what they do but under no circumstances do they want it to become a burden.

Clippy: “We don’t have the drive to really push it at the moment.”

Fil: “We don’t not have the drive, we just don’t advertise enough, and a lot of people see us as a joke band.”

Clippy: “Yeah, but its enthusiasm before talent, you can be really talented and not make it because you’re really boring. We don’t do it like others, we don’t take it too seriously, but we are still making progress. We’ve got singles and albums which we’re going to send off to companies and hopefully sell at Action Records.

University tour

“We gave our CD to the road manager when we supported The Bluetones at The Mill, and Im looking to organise a University tour next year sometime. The Preston scene is getting quite introverted, it would be nice to be one of the first bands to get out.”

Fil: “There’s a few good bands about here now, when one makes it, like The Clones or The KBC, or us, then others will follow.”

The band have a new website. The clock is wrong, which they are quite aware of and claim ‘it was fine yesterday’, but other than that it
is a comprehensive site, giving the impression that, despite not advertising enough, the band know the importance of using new media to its potential.

Fil: “Absolutely, it’s a great way to get stuff across to people quickly.”

Clippy: “No it’s not, it limits too many people..

Fil: “Well what would we be doing if it were not for the internet then. It’s a good way to organise gigs, you can reschedule a gig, or throw an unexpected show and still be assured that people will know because the news sweeps the messages boards and internet faster that word of mouth. It’s word of mouse, haha. Make sure you write that and attribute it to me, I’ve not heard it before.”

The Baker Street Irregulars’ have two more gigs lined up before the completion of their album, of which they intend to compile a demo from the best four tracks and send it to record companies by November at the latest. Until then you can see them performing at:
The 12 Bar on 2nd September and Strettles bar on the 17th.

Written by Dan Jeoffroy

Photography: Dan Jeoffroy