Push to Fire Q&A: The Suzukis by Henry Raby We spoke to Chris, vocalist with the band, earlier this month. Also in The Suzukis are Adam (guitar), Robert (bass) and Stuart (drummer). Tell us about The Suzukis... We started about 8 or 9 years ago in Wigan, I went to school with Stu and used to watch his old band practice. The other two were in another band who practiced at the same place and when their bands had gone home we used to use all their equipment and play our own stuff. Then they all split up. Are there any bands you try and be as far away from on the musical spectrum as possible? Not consciously. What can new audiences expect from your live shows? Commitment. What's it like growing up in Wigan? How does it feed into your music? It’s not bad. The only thing Wigan feeds into is national heart attack statistics. Music-wise the only thing that springs to mind about Wigan, is the Northern Soul scene in the '70s and The Verve. What's Wigan like for bands and gig venues? Have you found willing audiences or had to look to other cities? There are loads and loads of bands in Wigan, nearly as many bands as there are promoters. John Robb (of Goldblade fame) has written you a biography seeped on praise. Have you caught the attention of any other mainstays of the punk rock scene or famous music celebrities? No, Mark E Smith once blew smoke in our drummers face after he’d told him that he’d enjoyed his gig. Robb says "These songs will start riots." Do you think music can inflame people into political action? Absolutely not. That’s an idea that has been disproved again and again. Pop music historians like saying so because it makes their job seem less like that of model railway aficionados. Do you feel there haven't been any or enough bands recently actively engaging with politics or the state of Great Britain? Musicians generally shouldn’t try to actively engage in politics because they’re too stupid, and shouldn’t try to engage with the state because it is too stupid. A few years ago Gallows and The Enemy were bands getting marginal mainstream attention but singing about a grey Britain, unemployment and the general griminess associated with 21st century life. Do you think critical songs about British life can ever be radio-friendly hits? There’s been a few, ‘Ghost Town’ for example, but it doesn’t matter. What does the future hold for The Suzukis, and do you have an ultimate goal? Just carrying on regardless.

Much thanks to Chris for taking the time to answer our questions. Find more info on the band's website: http://www.thesuzukis.com/.