Miles Hunt of The Wonder Stuff talks to eFestivals

From no longer having to mime on TOTP to 'bread heads' in the original line-up... Miles Hunt is now happier than ever with The Wonder Stuff. It's no wonder since their latest album has been described by the music press as the "greatest comeback record of all time."

I caught up with him before they embark on the 2013 festival season where they will play Willowman Festival, Beautiful Days & Bestival, amongst others...

How does it feel to be 27 years old this year?
I had to take a breathe there for a minute; I thought you were referring to me personally! That would mean I was still hanging around with those deadbeats in the 90's line up of the band, what a nightmare that would be.

You are of course referring to The Wonder Stuff. It's wonderful to think I've kept it going all these years and people still wanna come and hear what we're noises we're making. Songs new and old stand together well on the current tour and the audiences seem to dig it. I'm a happy man, mainly 'cos the line-up of the band is the best we've ever had. No whiners, no shirkers, no bread heads, just a gang of musicians that are doing it 'cos they need to make a noise.

What did chart success mean to you back then and what did that success mean to you personally?
Absolutely nothing at all. The only thing that I cared about was that people came to the gigs. Miming on something like Top of the Pops was a shameful experience, but one we had to keep doing in order to placate our record company, who were, lest we forget, funding our endeavours.

How did the band handle it?
The other members didn't seem to care too much and boozing helped me through the embarrassment.

Looking back would you have done anything differently?
What's the point?

Which of today's bands do you listen to?
Damien Dempsey, AlascA, a bit of Frank Turner. There's little the kids are doing for me right now, part of the reason I keep doing it I suppose, I need new stuff to enjoy.

What music influences you now?
Same stuff that always did, The Waterboys, PiL, Bowie, The Clash... you know the drill.

Who's in your CD player/on your iPod just now?
The Walkmen.

You're playing Willowman this year, are you looking forward to it?
Always look forward to strapping it on and letting it rip. First time at Willowman for us, so yeah, definitely looking forward to it.

Have you spent much time in Yorkshire before?
Indeed, I think it's an area of the country that we play in the most to be honest.

What do you enjoy most about the festival circuit?
There's very little to think about, for me at least. No sound checks, not being the centre of attention, it's all good. We rely heavily on our amazing stage crew, who have NEVER let us down, but just turning up and hitting the stage with no hanging about is great. Plus you never have to walk far to get great food and you might even get to hear some great music too.

Has performing at festivals changed over the years?
Not that I've noticed. Other than a couple of them have got too big and for all the wrong reasons.

What do you think is the future of UK festivals?
Long may they continue, it's something that we do very well here in the UK.

Do you feel you have any challenges left?
Life...?

What's next?
More of the same I hope.


For full tour details for The Wonder Stuff head to www.thewonderstuff.com/tourdates.

Willowman Festival takes place near Thirsk in North Yorkshire over summer solstice weekend (20-23 June 2013). This year's festival promises to be a great one with headline slots by New Model Army, The Wonder Stuff, Space, and The Orb Sound System all set within a festival that offers so much more than just great music.

Early bird tickets are priced at £50 for a full weekend including camping (live in vehicles are £15 per vehicle). Young Persons (aged 12 – 17 years old) weekend ticket is priced at £35. A live in vehicle pass is £15, or £20 for caravans. Children aged under 12 years go free, with car parking and camping also free. Family tickets are also available priced at £160.

To buy tickets to Willowman now, click here.

Beautiful Days is the Levellers own festival, the dates for the eleventh year are confirmed as from Friday 16th to Sunday 18th August 2013 at Escot Park, near Fairmile, Devon. Headlined by Primal Scream, Ocean Colour Scene, and festival founders Levellers who close the celebrations on the Sunday night, as is traditional. Also confirmed are Sinead O' Connor, Arrested Development, Roy Harper, Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, Imelda May, The Selecter, Skatalites, The Wonder Stuff, Clannad, and more.

There will be no day tickets available. An adult weekend camping ticket is priced at £120, child (10 to under 16 years of age) weekend camping tickets is £60, children aged 5 to under 10's weekend camping tickets is £30 and under 5's weekend camping tickets is £5. Campervan passes are priced at £40 and car routing/parking passes are £15.

To buy tickets to Beautifuls Day now, click here.

Offering a line-up of big music names and scene setters in a nautical themed fancy dress world, packed full of surprises, secret stages, colour and fun. The dates for the tenth Bestival, held at Robin Hill Country Park on the Isle of Wight, are Thursday 5th until Sunday 8th September 2013. Sunday is headlined by Elton John, and on Saturday it's Snoop Dogg, Friday's headliner is yet to revealed. Also onboard the HMS Bestival is MIA, Franz Ferdinand, The Flaming Lips, Tom Odell, The Knife, Bombay Bicycle Club, Sinead O' Connor, Chic Featuring Nile Rodgers, Squarepusher, Hot Natured, Angel Haze, The Polyphonic Spree, Johnny Marr, Bastille, Peace, Dexys, The Wonder Stuff, Richie Hawtin, Carl Cox, A-Yo! (Mark Ronson Vs. Zane Lowe), Annie Mac, Seth Troxler, Julio Bashmore, Maya Jane Coles, David Rodigan presents Ram Jam, Dixon, Kerri Chandler, Eats Everything, Jackmaster, Spencer, Redinho, Sophie, Rustie, Joy Orbison, Fabio & Grooverider, Hospitality with High Contrast, Danny Byrd, Nu:Logic, Fred V And Grafix, and MC Wrec & Dynamite MC, Marcel Dettmann, DJ Yoda, The Daft Punk Tribute Night in the Hidden Disco, and more.

Tickets including entry from Thursday 4th September are priced at £190 for Adult Tickets and £127 for Teen (age 13-17) Tickets. For those arriving on or after Friday 5th September adult tickets are priced at £180. Tickets for children (age 12 & under) are free (but must have a ticket). A campervan ticket is priced at £90 (per vehicle), and car parking is priced at £11 advance (or £15 cash on arrival).

To buy tickets to Bestival now, click here.

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