Surely you’ve heard of Mike TV by now! No, not the chap who gets shrunk in the chocolate factory but the Petersfield based pop punk sickos that have been around for an absolute age. With an album out not so long ago called “Sausage Hospital” and earlier this year they toured the UK with Aussie legends Frenzal Rhomb, I managed to get guitarist and reality TV superstar Jhon to answer a few questions for us…
Hi chaps, welcome to Lights Go Out, so what is currently going on in the world of Mike TV?
Hi, thanks for having us. We’re currently on a hiatus. Only joking, we’re not cunts. We played some shows with Frenzal Rhomb and then the cricket season got in the way. Also, our drummer Glyn is in the USA at a band camp thing. He may or may not have a flute in his pussy. To conclude: not much right now but something will probably happen soon.
Your latest release is “Sausage Hospital” can you tell us a bit about that please, why should people check it out and where can they buy it?
It’s an album full of sick bangers. We only called it that to tie in with that shit joke. Tehe! It’s a very well-written collection of pop-punk songs in the vein of early Green Day mixed with a whole load of harmonies and some slightly more punk rock elements. Basically it sounds like McBusted. People can buy the CD from www.miketv.bigcartel.com for only five golden nuggets or you can download it via all the usual places.
You got it mastered by Bill Stevenson, pretty damn cool, so what did he think of the album?
He LOVED it! He hasn’t stop raving about it since he heard it for the first time. He’s flying us out to re-record all the old Descendents stuff but with three way harmonies and super-polished. It’s gonna be like Scouting For Girls covering Crass.
You seem to have been around for ages now back when you used to be called Pickled Dick, has the actually line up of the band changed much and when did you actually start out as a band?
We actually started way back in 1999. Domb and I have always been in the band and then it’s been am ever revolving door of drummers and guitarists. No one can stand the simmering sexual chemistry between Domb and I for too long. Pickled Dick is a far better name for a band than Mike TV. Are we allowed to change it back?
Which bands have been the biggest influence on you over the years?
Green Day, Frenzal Rhomb, Bracket, Weezer, NoFX, Mr.T Experience, Scouting For Girls, Crass – all that kind of stuff.
You toured with Frenzal Rhomb earlier this year, how was that? Were you all fans of the band before the tour and any stories you can share with us that haven’t yet been told?
We’re massive fans of Frenzal Rhomb. I even called my dog Frenzal. It was a pleasure to play some shows with them. They’re all in their late fifties now, so nothing too exciting happened really. Nothing ever exciting happens on tours, so don’t join a band. It’s all people sitting round saying how much they hate other bands and occasionally someone restrings a guitar.
Talking of bands you’ve played with, which have really stood out for you over the years?
The Dickies! What a band! We got to tour with them in 2008 and it was amazing. Very interesting people and so good to play with a band that started this whole pop mixed with punk thing. Uncommon Men From Mars are also another personal favourite. Definitely an underrated band that could’ve been much bigger if they’d eaten more.
And what one band would you dearly love to play on a bill with?
Black Veil Brides. Just coz they have long hair doesn’t mean they can automatically be brides. Dicks.
How about touring, what’s the best and worst things about it for you?
The best thing is not going on tour and just being an internet band. It’s much easier being in a band from the comfort of your own living room. The worst thing about going on tour is all the people you have to speak to. It’s much easier to hide behind the anonymity of the internet and just answer questions on here when you have time to think about the answers.
You’ve been able to go and play in China, how was that?
We were lucky enough to tour in China twice in 2009 & 2010. Both times were absolutely incredible life experiences as well as being completely bonkers. China is a social juxtaposition of a place. A mix of non-sensical and the absurd. Go there and play shows! It’s great.
How do you view the current scene here in the UK at the minute?
It needs more bands that sound like Bracket.
So Jhon, you seem to be turning into somewhat of a TV whore, how did you become part of the Tattoo Fixers show?
I’ve always been a whore, it’s just now I can occasionally offer my services via the idiot box. They found me on Twitter via one of my dumb tattoos.
What do you think about the Twitter comments that come about from your appearance?
I love the abuse! After I was on CDWM, I got death threats and some guy threatened to smash my face in with a bat. You have to love the nice people on the internet. The best part of any TV appearance is replying to all the hate. I got less hate on Tattoo Fixers because the show’s demographic was Geordie Shore fans – and they were all amused by the talking scarecrow.
Obviously you’re well known for being on Come Dine With Me, do you find people recognise you from being on the show? And are you still in touch with that boating chap, was it Anson?
Yes, people still recognise me for that. Unfortunately it’ll be my epitaph unless I can think of anything better to stain my life with? I’m open to suggestions. Anson is a lovely man. I saw him earlier this year. I went for a drink for his 70th birthday and he was cunted beyond belief.
Have you applied for any other shows over the years and if you could appear on any one show what would it be?
I applied to go on Countdown and I did a phone interview… my girlfriend helped me to use online anagram solvers to cheat but I didn’t wanna seem too clever and they said I didn’t get enough 8 letter words! Bastards. I did all the maths on my own though. Sometimes I like to pretend I’m Rachel Riley. I have a blonde wig, some tight dresses and a great imagination.
Ever considered the whole Big Brother thing?
Yes! I’ve been a big brother for 32 years now and I love it. My brother just had his first kid, so now I’m an uncle too. Big Uncle. Hooray.
Enough, let’s get back to the band again, so yeah, what have Mike TV got in the pipeline?
Domb is writing a new album. We won’t play loads of shows as we all have jobs (Coops is in a fantastic wedding troupe called Happy Hour) and we’ll record something fun at some stage. If anyone wants to release Sausage Hospital on vinyl, that’d be great.
How do you see the whole downloading of music issue and how does it affect you as a band?
Don’t mind as long as people tell us that they like the music / try and come to a show. Bands just need to be more creative with things like merch and vinyl these days…. times are a changing.
With the vinyl being back, are there any plans for an LP release of Sausage Hospital at all?
Yes – could you release it please? On sausage brown with white splatter for the meaty gristle
You’ve been doing this music lark for a while now, so what lessons has it taught you so far?
Don’t get sponsored by Jagermeister. It’ll only lead to daytime fights in Morrisons in Newcastle.
What advice would you be able to pass on to other bands out there?
Have fun, don’t take it so seriously. You’re only alive for a short time and soon you’ll have a baby and you’ll want to look after that, rather than play a gig to twenty people in Lincoln.
Right then I guess I should let you get back on with things, cheers for chatting to us. I like to leave an interview with one hard hitting question. Sometimes movie related, sometime not. But, I thought I might tailor this one especially for you. Now then Jhon, I happen to know you love your cricket a little bit. I’m sorry to tell you I am not a fan. So this is your chance to try and persuade me why I should take more interest in the sport of cricket. Go…..
Cricket is the only sport where you sit down for half of it and alcohol is a viewed as performance enhancing drug. It’s a game where no one actually knows the laws and pretty much anything can happen – it’s like chess with less Russians. It also brings together society’s weirdos as village cricket is full of all different types of people… and you don’t even have to be any good at it to play! I know this well. At the end of game, you get to shower with people you’ve just met and that normally costs me a lot of money to organise.
Make sure you check Mike TV out on the usual social media platforms:
@miketvupdates on Twitter
@pickledjhon Twitter
Cheers of course go out to Jhon for chatting with us!
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