Don’t call it a comeback… well, actually… After imploding post reality TV fame, The Ordinary Boys reunited in August with a low key show in London. With Q premiering the band’s new single Awkward (below), frontman Preston explains how the band have found a new lease of life.
In a busy world you probably didn’t notice that The Ordinary Boys had gone anywhere. Nevermind, we’re back(!). Awkward is the first song from the Ordinary Boys since we teamed-up with Louis Jones from celebrated power-pop band Spectrals. I met Louis stage-diving at a Cribs gig when Spectrals were supporting and knew immediately I wanted him to be my new best friend/collaborator.
I had been songwriting with John Newman and Chloe Howl and had even had a number one with Heart Skips A Beat for Olly Murs but hanging out with Louis, all we wanted to talk about were the punk and hardcore bands that had made us pick up guitars and form bands in the first place.
Admittedly, The Ordinary Boys had wandered pretty far from the sound, energy and ethos that had garnered respect for of our debut album Over The Counter Culture and earned us our still-loyal fanbase. So… I made Spinal Tap-esque phone calls to bassist James Gregory and drummer Charlie Stanley who I hadn’t played with since that record. After promising several times that it wouldn’t sound anything like the questionable third album, we met for some beers and started rehearsing. We were 15 again.
After a last minute sweaty, show at Birthdays in London in the summer we went into Lighthouse95 studio with Rory Atwell who produced The Vaccines, Veronica Falls and Palma Violets. Awkward, and its B-side Four Letter Word, are the first songs to emerge from those sessions. We’re now in the studio with MJ from Hookworms recording more songs for an album to be released early next year. Our UK tour begins next month in Manchester where we will be showcasing the new material and playing some old favourites.
Awkward, on which Louis and I share vocal duties, is a taster of things to come. It’s a glorious hymn to saying the right thing in the wrong way, a bittersweet pop punk paean to messing things up. We think it’s pretty special.
Preston@samuelpreston
For more, including the band’s full tour dates, head to Facebook.com/TheOrdinaryBoysOfficial.
