Interviews: The Hip Priests

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Garage Punk/Rock band, The Hip Priests from the UK. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that? 

Austin: People always assume it’s influenced by the band The Fall because they have a song with that name but it wasn’t at all. It was some kinda drug reference that Lee got it from.

2. Why did you want to play this genre? 

Austin: When we started the band we were all really into the garage/punk/rock scene and had been going to see all those bands live for quite a few years. Watching The Hellacopters, Zeke, Nashville Pussy, etc in tiny venues was amazing and it was a really exciting time. Punk rock had got pretty boring and that whole wave of bands gave it a real kick up the arse.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed? 

Austin: I knew Nathan cos he was in a band called The Grips that I used to go and see and then we both ended up in a band together called Gods Chosen Dealers with a couple of the guys from The X-Rays. It was a pretty small scene in the UK and even though Lee was living in London our paths had crossed when we played with his band The Divine Brown. He then moved up to the Midlands and we started hanging out a lot then I ended up joining The Hip Priests when they wanted a second guitarist.

4. Each band member's favorite band? 

Lee: The Stooges

Austin: Ramones

Ben: AC/DC

Nathan: The Cure

Des: Rage Against The Machine

5. Where was your last gig? 

Austin: It was actually in our hometown Nottingham. We played with Dion Lunadon’s solo band which was cool cos we were all big fans of his old band The D4. 

6. Where would you like to act? 

Lee: To play? It’d be great to get back to the USA – where we’ve been twice.. Or Australia as so many bands we love come from there.

Austin: Yeah Australia is the one place I desperately wanna play. Been a huge fan of Aussie punk for years so would be great to play at a legendary place like The Barwon Club in Geelong and hook up with some bands that we’ve played with before in Europe like Clowns or Grindhouse.

7. Whom would you like to feature with? 

Austin: The Hard-Ons are a band I’ve always wanted to play with and hopefully that will happen if they make it back over to Europe this year. I’d also love to support Gluecifer, we’ve played on the same festival bill as them but to play with them in a club would be pretty special.

8. Whom not? 

Austin: I don’t think there’s any particular band that I’d really have an issue playing with. We’ve played with a couple in the past where some of the members are arseholes so I’d always try and avoid those if possible.

9. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that? 

Lee: No stage fright really – or maybe just a small bit that very soon goes away - but a few beers certainly help. ‘Dutch Courage’ as we call it here.

Austin: No I’ve never really suffered from it, even when we’ve played some bigger festivals or opened for bands we love. I think if you’re rehearsed enough and are confident that you can play well and put on a good show then there’s no reason to worry. Just don’t drink too many beers beforehand cos then it can all go wrong haha.

10. What bands have inspired you the most? 

Lee: Probably lots of 70s UK and USA punk but lots of Australian bands too (BORED! Radio Birdman) then through those fantastic Garage bands (like the New Bomb Turks) and Scandirock bands (Gluecifer / Peepshows / Hellacopters, etc) of the 90s.

Austin: For me personally, the bands that had the biggest impact on me when I first heard them and influence the way I play would be Ramones, The Hard-Ons, The Hellacopters, and The Replacements.

11. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for? 

Lee: Someone once got a pair of Lee’s old (horrible leopard print) underpants and someone bought Nathans battered old n worn Vans trainers.

Austin: Probably advice on how to play guitar haha. My answer was that they should probably ask somebody that can play better than me.

12. What do you think of your fans? 

Austin: They’re the best and the reason that we are able to still do this. We have some really hardcore fans that travel around the world to see us and that’s always really flattering that they’re willing to spend a lot of money to come to see us.

13. What do you think of our site?

Lee: It looks great – and all the better for having us on it.

14. Something to add?

Austin: The new album ‘Roden House Blues’ is released in May and we can’t wait to get out on the road and start playing those songs to people. We think it’s easily our best album so far and can’t wait for everyone to hear it. We’ll be playing as many countries as possible and always encourage people to come up and say hello and hang out with us, it’s always great to have a beer with people after the show.