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› Interview with Rob Crebbin from 4ft Fingers
(Photograph by Rosa Fanning; from left to right: Dave Humphries, Jon Priestley, Dougie and Rob Crebbin)
4ft Fingers are a Ska/Punk rock band from Cheltenham and Gloucester, originally making music together back in their early teens. They have certainly come along way since playing their local public houses and practising during their summer holidays. Following the release of their fourth album "New beginnings of Old Stories", and current tour; I catch up with a fellow 'Cheltonian' between his very hectic tour schedule; 'Rob Crebbin' from '4ft Fingers'.
So Rob; Tell me about your new album, what did you do different on this album compared to your previous releases?
We have just had longer to write this album and put more work into the songs. I demo all of them at my house then pass it around to each member making changes if needed, then practice it all together.
How did you decide on the title of the new album?
'Dougie' came up with it in the end, but it sums up exactly how it is for us doing the same; thing that we do best; but a new fresh feel and vibe to it all.
When you are playing songs out on the road, do you take notice of previous audience's reactions or do you just play your favourite songs?
A bit of both; we play the songs day in, day out; so we pick what we like and what goes down well with the crowds and fans
You have some pretty crazy fans; do you have any outlandish stories?
Too many stories to tell, but one that we love and that aint too crazy and rude; is when a fan flew to America to meet up with us and found this German fan sat in a bar in California with a 4ft fingers T-shirt on... Pretty weird! He's actually a close friend of ours now.
How about a crazy story about 4ft Fingers!? What do you get up to on the road?
We once had a hot tub and pool opened up just for us at 3am at a Vegas hotel. We sat drinking and partying with some dancing girls then carried on to clubs till like midday the next day....(how we stayed awake is beyond me!) The rest you can guess....
You've toured more in the last 7-8 years that most bands do in their careers, what do you enjoy most? Hometown gigs, or new places? Where do you enjoy playing the most?
We love seeing what's out there, there's a lot of ace people and nice towns, but nothing beats playing your hometown and having so much support!
Do you have any pre concert rituals?
I go quiet for like 15 mins before we go on... "the quiet before the storm" as I say, but not really... Dougie no doubt; will need a p**s like 1 min before we go on. You can set your watch by it. But generally we just do our thing and love it!
So what music do you guys listen to now and does the music you listen to influence you in any way for future songs written?
Bit of both, we love our punk but we all like so many things and types of music we think its better like that, every thing is an influence but never think too much, we just write and what we get, is what we get...
You can invite a celebrity to dinner, dead or alive; who would you invite and why?
I think I'd invite Johnny Cash, because well... it's Johnny Cash! He was more Rock 'n' Roll than most; I bet he has so many stories to tell!
What was the first concert you attended, as a fan?
We used to watch a few local bands when we were 14 who had a real big influence in the fact of opening the doors to punk rock.
What is the biggest lesson you have learnt that you would pass onto other bands?
It's not always how good you are in this game, it's unfortunately 'who you know in the business' so; play as much as possible to get your name about, make a network to make contacts. You never know when you'll need a favour!
So, I know a couple of you used to have full time jobs, do you still work, if so, what do you guys do?
We all have full time jobs, houses and most have girlfriends; so busy balancing everything! One of us is an Educational Adviser, one a Pest Controller, another one a Bus Driver and we even have a Housing Officer for homeless people! I'll let you guess who does what! (I leave our HB readers to guess who does what and all I say is "You can't miss the Bus Driver!")
Are there any other bands out there that you haven't toured with yet, but think you might like to?
Loads...... I'd like to play with Social Distortion, NOFX, Bouncing Souls, Dropkick and any others we aint had a chance to play with yet.
Do you have any plans for a DVD?
We have been talking and there are hours and hours of footage knocking about so; keep ya eyes peeled people for any news...(I'm sure HB will pass on the message!)
Fan questions:
Craig from Cardiff saw your show at the Barfly in Cardiff on 9 March 2008 and would like to say he thinks "You are immense!" He would like to know:
"What do you think of the other UK bands in the same sort of genre i.e.: Spunge, Uncle Brian etc and would you ever do a tour with them all?"
Yeah, we get on and know most of the British bands, and are friends with most bands we meet. I'd play with any of them just for the good time we'd all have!
Tom from Merseyside asks:
"With the changing times, particularly with the assertion of 'Emo' and 'Metalcore' taking the forefront of the current alternative scene, how do you see the future of 'UK Ska' taking us?
'Good luck', its all just one big cycle, music scenes come and go it'll be back, it's just knowing the time it'll rise again. As soon as the magazines start talking about it again, all the kids will be back. It's all quite sad in the fact people now seem to go with what's hot and being talked about. You get the core groups who keep it running but... we'll see.
4ft Foot Fingers are currently on tour at the following venues:
3rd May 2008 Arts Centre, Salisbury
4th May 2008 Academy in the UK, Birmingham Bar Fly
24th May 2008 Evolution, Southend
25th May 2008 Bivouacfri, Lincoln
30th May 2008 Queens Hotel, Weymouth
31st May 2008 Hobbits, Weston Super Mare
5th August 2008 Fleece & Furkin, Bristol
7-11th August 2008 Wintergardens Rebellion Festival, Blackpool
16th August 2008 Black Swan Festival, Witney
23rd August 2008 Academy in the UK, Bristol Bar Fly
24th August 2008 Academy in the UK, Newcastle Bar Fly
Buy your merchandise, CD's and check out recent tour photos on 4ft's official internet site: http://www.4ftfingers.com/ or check out their myspace page www.myspace.com/4ftfingers
Natasha
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