Having released their seventh studio album back in December 2012, The Wonder Stuff certainly made a huge impression on long term fan Dave Prince with ‘Oh No it’s…The Wonder Stuff’, so much so in fact that when he caught the band live in Port Talbot recently our man with no plan cornered the band’s frontman and mouthpiece Miles Hunt for a long overdue chat.

 

Hi Miles, with the new album ‘Oh No it’s…The Wonder Stuff’ selling pretty well (most of the record shops in Cardiff had sold out on day of release). What do you think that the recent resurgence in the popularity of The Wonder Stuff is down to?

 

To be honest I don’t notice a resurgence, the band is always pretty popular in my house. The only time I’m out and about is usually gigging, so in my eyes, wherever I go, there are people into the band. Great to get so many good reviews for the album though, that has been really sweet.

 

With the new line-up of The Wonder Stuff, I guess that most of the songs (old and new) sound fresh to your seasoned ears, do you still relish the chance to play these songs live?

 

Playing live is the whole point of the band; I would never play a song I didn’t enjoy playing or hearing. I would have thought that was obvious.

 

Having seen you a couple of times in Wales recently as Miles & Erica, it is about time that you brought the main band to this country, were you disappointed in having to cancel the Cardiff Coopers Field gig back in 2010?

 

We didn’t cancel it, the promoter did. You take the rough with the smooth.

 

I love the new album, especially the rawness and willingness to take risks. That I feel was been missing from your last album 2006’s Suspended By Stars. Coupled with the second CD ‘From The Midlands With Love’ recordings. Was it a conscious effort to take more risks?

 

Not really, I just wanted to make something for our audience, as opposed to writing and recording something that I needed to get off my chest. I can now save the middle aged whining for the Miles & Erica records and as far as more new Wonder Stuff material goes, I just want to uphold the good name of the band.

 

Sleigh The UK 2012 was a great tour that included Pop Will Itself, Jesus Jones and yourselves. So much so in fact that you are doing it all over again this year in December. Will this be a regular thing or will you be looking to change the line up over the coming years?

 

It’s all in the hands of the 02 Academy group, I loved what we did together in December last year and look forward to doing it again this December. If the 02 guys think it’s something we can keep doing in future years, and assuming that PWEI & Jesus Jones would be up for it, I’m happy to do as many as we can. In saying that, if PWEI or Jesus Jones had other plans then yes, a change of the line up would also suit me.

 

With regards to your ‘Shared’ project, is there a ‘Shared 3’ album/showcase on the cards?

 

I wanna get down to work on new Wonder Stuff toons this year, for another album in 2014, Erica is also writing and demoing new material for her second solo album, so there just won’t be time for a ‘Shared 3’ in the near future, but I always have it on the back burner.

 

Having seen you interact with your fans over social networking sites. Do you feel obliged to keep in touch (out of respect for them) or is it, simply a case of a publicity needs?

 

Not at all, I thoroughly enjoy the banter that goes on between us, they’re a great bunch of people and I think we all get a kick out of the interaction. If it also helps promote releases and gigs, then nobody loses.

 

 

Seeing as you done five gigs in five towns for last years Record Store Day. Are planning anything like this for the future, also would you ever consider doing it again but maybe say ten gigs in ten cities?

 

I would certainly do something similar again for Record Store Day; it just wasn’t possible to arrange this year.

 

2013 seems like it will be a busy year for you, Erica and the band. Are you now done with the Anniversary thing of recording your classic albums live now?

 

Indeed we are. It was fun to do for a while and rerecording those first two albums certainly help when it came to recording an album of new material, having a close look at the old stuff taught me a bit of a lesson in terms of understanding what it is that our audience wants from us.

 

Just to finish Miles If you were able to say one thing to an 18 year old of yourself, what would it be?

 

There is no destination kid, just try and enjoy the ride a little more.

 

http://www.thewonderstuff.com/

 

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