Last Updated on January 7, 2024
Originally published in Beat Motel issue 2
After playing a blinder at the Ballistics album launch party at Ippo Steamboat we decided to ask people in the audience to come up with a few questions for the Big. Now we’re not so sure that was a good idea…
Is your band name a reference to anything that’s big in general? if not then what big thing, in particular, are you referring too?
Borin story- too hot (top devon ska band) used to be called hot 100, I thought a good name for a ska band would be big 100, then I thought fuck it, we’ll have it without the 100.
How the fuck do you all sleep in that van?! I mean, the gear must take up a fair bit of space, and the singer/guitarist guy is officially HUGE….where does all the space come from? or is it some kinda tardis?!?!
After that steamboat gig, we all slept in the van, and our organist actually had a breakdown when he saw how much space he had, we have emergency ouzo for band breakdowns, so it wasnít too bad. We only all sleep in the van in absolute emergencies, usually 3 of us in van and 2 on some kind person’s floor, or in the strangest hotel chain ever, formula 1.
Pies or pasties…
Pasties from gays creamery (honestly) in Dawlish, Devon.
Does the saxophone player sell more cds after the gig than the other band members?
Yes. Luckily we don’t work on commission
Do you have a problem with four-letter words?
Yes, as an ex-teacher my spelling is poor.
What are your musical influences given the range of songs played…and are you really train spotters
Personally, my musical influences are very different from my lyrical ones, however, Bobby Davro is key to nearly everything we do. I am the only rail enthusiast in the band, although Jim is wavering. Although I love them all, my favourite diesel engines are:
Diesel
- Class 52 western (2700 bhp) / diesel hydraulic transmission.
- Class 42 warships (2200 bhp (proto type 2000 bhp)) hydraulic trans.
- Class 42 warships (2200 bhp (proto type 2000 bhp)) hydraulic trans.
- Class 35 hymek (1700 bhp) hydraulic trans.
Electric
- Class 87/1 (4850 bhp) 87/0 (5000 bhp)
- Class 306 EMU
Steam
- Castle class, GWR.
- Brittania class, BR.
- V2 class, LNER.
Did you start out to be a ska band, or are you really all coal miners’ children who borrowed the colliery band’s instruments, and the result was a happy accident that you are proud to call the big?
We started as a folk and 2-tone crossover but we couldn’t get the backing of the miners union as there was no real room for a tuba.
Did you feel that Ed shitting himself in Billericay high street on the 2nd day of the tour has set the tone for the rest of the dates?
It wasn’t a full follow, I just trusted a fart that deceived me, Jim has also had to waddle to a toilet in bath.
How does it feel to constantly be in the shadow of the Rejects? does it affect your performance?
It’s hard, for example, J reject is unique, I spent last night in a karaoke bar with him because there was nowhere else open and I got him so pissed I convinced him to sing Iím too sexy by right said fred, hopfully he is scared this morn. The rejects definitely affect our performance, we will never use a cowbell.
Do you prefer playing on the road in the studio or with yourself?”
My aim in life has always been to do a tour of LIDLs those semi supermarket pro’s. Playing to all those people that appreciate their good quality meat and cheese. In addition, we haven’t been in a studio for 6 years because we record stuff in people’s houses. But, one album took 9 months coz we had no idea what the fuck we were doing on the road itís the strangest town the better for me.
