Bristol band The Longest Johns bring their The Ends of the Earth Tour to The Academy, Dublin on 8 May. We asked them the BIG questions . . .
Formed in 2012, their breakout moment came in 2021 when their rendition of Wellerman went viral on TikTok, sparking the 'Shanty Tok' craze that saw a resurgence in sea shanty music and saw the band sign to Decca Records.
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Earlier this year, they released their tenth album to round up the Pieces of Eight project - an EP a month for eight months culminating in the 24-track compilation.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
Jonathan "JD" Darley: Avid War Hammer player and painter.
Used to be terrified of singing on stage until forcing myself to play open mic.
JD has two cats called Max and Monty.
How would you describe your music?
Jonathan: Folk shanty rock.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Jonathan: Stan Rogers, Jack Johnson.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Robbie Sattin: Delirious in Manchester (The Glow Tour 1999).
What was the first record you ever bought?
Robbie: Smash by The Offspring.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Robbie: Pull Like A Dog - The Scratch.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Andy Yates: That first verse of All Along The Watchtower by Bob Dylan: "There must be some way out of here, Said the joker to the thief, There's too much confusion, I can't get no relief, Businessmen they drink my wine, Ploughmen dig my earth, None of them along the line, Know what any of it is worth". It's hard not to pick the whole song really.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Andy: Baby Please Don't Leave Me by Buddy Guy. It's got it all for me. Heaviness, blues, big low moody riff.
Where can people find your music/more information?
You can find our music in all the normal music places but if you really want to make a band happy go to our website and buy something physical or come to a live show.
Alan Corr
