Interview with M.O.T's Phil McGuirk

On Sunday 10th July I went to a M.O.T gig at Barfly in Camden.   M.O.T?   Who?   I will tell you.   They are the newest and coolest Brit-Pop/Indie band you probably haven't heard yet.   Have a look and listen here and here.   This particular gig drummed up, as one spectator commented, 'an amazing turn out for a Sunday night.'   Their upbeat rhythms mixed with fun lyrics provide catchy tunes that, with only a few hearings, are memorable enough to sing along to.   I particularly like 'I Must Be Paranoid' - whose chorus had me, and the whole Sunday night crowd, singing and jumping along to.   

The thing I particularly like about M.O.T is that their sound is entirely uncontrived: I hate listening to bands who, perhaps without trying, and perhaps without realising it (which I think is terrifying), try to be someone else (Arctic Monkeys tribute band anyone? Yuck!):   M.O.T's sound is fresh and unique, and they should certainly go far.  

The band is made up of five guys:  Ryan O'Donovan (vocals), Phil McGuirk (lead guitar), Sam O'Donovan (rhythm guitar), Lan Gaglione (bass) and Nick Cooper (drums).   All lovely lads and talented musicians who, by day, work in all areas of the mundane, but by night turn into rock stars.   Phil, the guitarist, very kindly agreed to an interview, to tell me how he came to M.O.T and his hopes for the future:

How long have you been playing guitar?

I started playing guitar when I was about 14.   I was one of those kids at school who got free school dinners because my mum and dad were divorced, so my music teacher told me that I was entitled to free guitar lessons because of my "circumstances"!    It also meant that I got out of French class which was probably what swung it for me...

How did you meet the other guys in the band?

Well, Ryan and I are best mates and went to school together.   We weren't really friends at school until our final year when we started hanging out in the same circles, and by the time we left school we had really hit it off (that sounds pretty gay right? it wasn't like that.... honest!)   We shared a similar taste in music.    This was around the time that Brit-Pop exploded onto the scene.    We both had a passion for British guitar bands like The Jam, The Kinks, The Beatles and then Oasis and Blur came along and made us realise that we could give it a go too.   Ryan was constantly writing lyrics in his spare time and I was probably the best guitarist (out of a bad bunch) at school so we thought we'd have a crack at starting a band.   Sam is Ryan's younger brother and Lan was in the same year as Sam, so it all came together nicely.   We've had quite a few drummers over the years.   Nick, our current drummer, is someone we met through a friend.   He digs our tunes and we dig his drumming, so it was an easy decision to get him on board.

Have you been in any other bands other than M.O.T?

M.O.T is the only 'proper' band I've been in.   I messed around with a few other bands in school but it was never serious.   While most of the 'cool' kids were playing football during lunch break I was in the music department playing drums and guitar with some mates, mainly doing very bad covers of Metallica and Pearl Jam songs. 

What do you enjoy most about performing and do you get nervous before going on stage?

I don't really get nervous before a gig.   I used to, but these days, as soon as I play a few chords from the first song, the nerves go away.   I could never get on stage on my own.   I would completely crumble.   Solo musicians and stand up comics must have different ingredients in their blood.   I can get on stage, hide behind my guitar and my four mates and have a blast, but if you were to put me on stage on my own, I would freeze up. 

You seem to have a fair few die-hard M.O.T groupies. Tell me, what three qualities do I need in order to join those dizzy heights?

Well, you need to come to more than 2 gigs!! (this is in reference to my 'slight' crappiness at coming to the gigs - I am busy, OK?!)

You need to be telling your friends about M.O.T and spreading the love.

You need to buy me a drink. 

If you could meet one musician who has influenced you, living or dead, who would it be, and why?

A very difficult question to answer, this one!   The obvious choice would be John Lennon because I've been a big Beatles fan since I was a kid.   A less obvious choice would be Neil Finn of Crowded House and Split Enz.   He's arguably my favourite songwriter and has an amazing voice.   I'd like to know his songwriting methods, but mainly I'd like to just have a jam and a beer with him.

What are your hopes for the future of M.O.T?

Just to keep releasing songs, making videos and playing great gigs.   I guess the next step for us would be to secure a support slot for an established band and go on tour with them.   Failing that I hope we can get our own little European tour going.   I'd love to do a gig in Amsterdam.   I hear they have amazing museums ...

When you are living the dream as a massive star - what five things will be on your rider?

XL Cheese crisps (they're only available in Cumbria - they're the best crisps in the world)

A selection of pies. I love pies.

A bottle of Lagavulin - a lovely Islay whisky.

Tunnocks tea cakes - at least 5 boxes

Iced Tea - peach flavour.

And with that, Phil dashed off to re-string his guitar.   Or something.   I urge you, go and see M.O.T - they are great.