News / / 05.02.15

Ryan Jarman

Shit, it’s been 11 years since The Cribs released their first album! From the beginning, the brotherly trio from Wakefield were an appealing prospect: catchy-as-hell pop songs delivered with lo-fi punk grit, a keep-it-real attitude (they used to play anywhere for petrol money and a slab of beers) and an encyclopedic knowledge of the best DIY guitar bands that has always elevated them way above the landfill indie which surrounded them. Ahead of the release of their sixth studio album, we woke up their crowdsurfing, dodgy haircut- championing riff machine at 1pm to hassle him with a bunch of silly questions.

What was your favourite cartoon when you were a kid?

Thundercats.

Who’s your favourite member of Slipknot?

Any of them apart from the clown. I remember reading an interview where he was talking about groupies and he was being a total douchebag. There’s one who’s got nails coming out his face, right?

Yeah that’s Craig, he does the samples.

Maybe him. But none of them are as cool as Marilyn Manson.

Do you support a sports team?

I don’t like any sports at all, but Gary’s really into boxing so I’ve started watching that. There’s a few people I get behind. There’s a guy called Andy Lee who’s just won the middleweight championship, and he’s a Cribs fan.

Most overrated album of all time?

Maybe What’s The Story (Morning Glory).

What’s the worst hotel you’ve ever stayed in?

The Marco Polo in Seattle. It’s super scummy and it’s smelly and it’s cold. But whenever I got to Seattle, I always stay there. I like it, it’s kind of creepy.

Who’s the most famous person that you’ve ever met?

Johnny Depp. I think I met him in some kind of VIP section at a premiere of a movie. He seemed like a nice guy, but he did seem really famous.

What’s your favourite gameshow?

Brett Michael’s Rock of Love

If you could pick a surrogate grandparent, who would it be?

Charlie Manson. He’s just cool. Not everything about him is cool, but I’ve read a lot of interviews with him and the things he says really make a lot of sense. Some of the things he did were senseless, but I can look through that.

Interesting choice. When was the last time you ran as fast as you possibly can?

Quite recently, I think it was in an airport.

Would you go for a pint with Kanye West?

I probably owe him a pint. In 2004, he actually supported us in Amsterdam and his name on the poster was spelled ‘Kayne West’. He showed up with loads of security and they were acting, like, gangster or whatever. So when he was onstage, we went into his dressing room and stole his champagne because he was kind of acting like a jerk. So yeah, why not? It’d be nice to put the past behind us.

Do you ever send post second class?

Never. I had a bad experience with it once. Generally if I send stuff now, I go for recorded delivery.

What’s the most treasured possession that you’ve broken or lost?

A 70s Fender Mustang guitar. I tried to do that pop-punk thing of throwing behind your body and making it swing back round. It immediately hit the floor and broke the neck right down the middle.

Rate these actors in order of how much you like them: Danny DeVito, Danny Dyer, Daniel Day-Lewis?

I’d put Danny DeVito at the top, he’s that 80s guy right? Then Danny Dyer at number two, purely because I don’t know who Daniel Day-Lewis is.

Have you ever been arrested?

I’ve talked my way out of a few situations, they haven’t got me yet.

Have you ever taken acid?

I used to take it quite a bit when I was a teenager, I don’t think I’d take it now though.

Why, you think it would mess with you too much?

I feel like I got what I needed out of it.

And finally, what would you want written on your tombstone?

https://www.itunes.com/thecribs

For All My Sisters will be released 23 March via Sonic Blew/Sony Red

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