The Auxiliaries
rocking the area
They are a four piece from what they describe as “somewhere between the hills and dales of Derbyshire, and the broken down coal fields of Yorkshire“ (see below) and are rocking the area. The Auxiliaries are writing about the people and places they know and the environment they grew up in - and are doing so very eloquently and stylishly thank you very much.
They are: Lee Unwin - Vocals/Guitar/Synth/Piano
Tom "Millo" Millington - Guitar/Backing Vocals
Phay Burton - Bass/Backing Vocals
Paul Williams - Drums
With tunes such as “Giro Lane” and “Red Telephone Box” this four piece is alive with gritty observation and sharp social comment. They are well worth checking out at http://www.myspace.com/theauxiliariesmusic or the band's website www.theauxiliaries.co.uk .
Rob Massey caught up with them earlier this Summer - before their new ep was recorded - and put some questions to them.
Your website memorably describes you as coming from somewhere between the hills and dales of Derbyshire, and the broken down coal fields of Yorkshire. Where in particular do the band hail from - and what influence has it had on your sound?
We are from Chesterfield, What is around 9 Miles from Sheffield and Yorkshire, we gig mostly In Sheffield and further away more than in Chesterfield its self, The fact of us being quite close to Sheffield influences our music greatly, As it is a well known scene and one we all love we try to take our influences from bands a lot like us, Bands like Little Man Tate are a huge influence in music and live performance as for such a small band they are doing what every band sets out to 'Gatecrash the top 40'
How long have you been playing those tunes? Were you mates before you got the band together?
We have been writing original material around nine months, we have all been friends for years through school and have played in 'garage bands' basically to learn our instruments together for many years so it just seemed right to take it to a proper band scenario.
You quote a number of influences on your website - mod, ska, Britpop etc. Tell me a bit about which bands have influenced you especially.
First and foremost, The Jam, Weller's music although being around for a generation before us inspires us more than most if any bands these days. Bands like Madness for there ska features, To more recent band's like Radiohead in terms of lyrics and experimenting.
Describe the Auxiliaries sound.
Hmm... It was described to us (Our new songs in mind) as Indie Funk, with a touch of Disco and a touch of Blues, although we would like to think we have some post punk in us from bands such as The Clash
I've heard a lot about Giro Lane. Tell me about it. Which other songs should we look out for?
That's a good sign! Haven't even got it recorded yet, Giro Lane is about a road from where we live (what's name isn't too far off) where as a Child its a feared road, full of drug dealers, people out for fights and pre pubescent kids on there 8th can of XXXX before midday. Some people off the road used to give us hassle so we decided to write it all about them and what they get up too.
We've also been getting great response too two other new songs what are being recorded on the 16th with Giro Lane called There's a name for people like you, and Columbus Black and White,
Which of the gigs you've played stand out as especially important to you?
I think it has to be Derbyshires Band of the Year final, We had only been with the line up for around three months when we to our surprise made it to the semi finals, knocked out 6 bands with over a years experience to make it to the final, We played to a sell out crowd of I think 1000, and although we had problems with the sound for the entire set had a great time and came equal second
If you had to pick one life changing record by another artist what would it be?
For me, and I think for most of the band it would be 'Eton Rifle's' by The Jam, We grew up listening to it and it is such a good song, And it basically describes what we try to sing about, how life isn't all bad, but sometimes is
What next for The Auxiliaries?
We have been asked to support Little Man Tate by the band at there sell out hometown gig at The Leadmill on August 19th, apart from gig wise recording and writing more songs and hopefully get a fan base that will come to see us regularly even if just round Sheffield.