The Barnacles

The Barnacles are not so much a band, more of a naughty nautical musical movement. I have certainly been carried away on the waves of their enthusiasm; I am sure you would be too.

Three of the band members, Stu, Dan and Becky, meet me for the interview in one of their homes. It is a traditional Sheffield terrace, but I know I've got the right place because the doormat has a picture of an anchor on it, and the words 'welcome aboard'. In case I should ever forget where I am, Stu kindly breaks out into a rousing sea shanty every few minutes.

Sea shanties are work songs, traditionally used on the great sailing ships of the nineteenth century, to co-ordinate the actions of the crew. In a lesser-known usage, they form the basis of the music and songs of Sheffield's own Barnacles. So why the sea shanty? 'Why not?' chirps Becky. Yes, but there must be something behind your choice of musical form? Stu mentions how a few of the founding members of the Barnacles went to Ladybower one day, and imagined floating around in barrels singing shanties and calling themselves the Barnacles. They like the sea shanty. It is a very versatile type of song, rooted in history but open to modern interpretation.

The nautical theme also allows the band to dress up in sailor's uniforms on stage, and that can't be a bad thing can it? In fact, at the heart of The Barnacles there is a desire to include the audience in all their live shows, to encourage people to sing along, dress up, and be part of it. A good gig said Stu, is when the line between audience and band becomes blurred. Music is about transference of energy and having a good time. One of the best gigs they did involved a load of pirates storming the stage and taking over, devouring all the spinach the band had brought along, and generally causing mayhem. Sounds fun.

Things start getting a bit tricky when I ask how many there are in The Barnacles. Three blank faces look back at me. 'I dunno' mumbles Dan. 'It's a bit of a moveable feast' suggests Stu. 'One gig there were 20 of us on stage, plus the Samba band so that was over 30'. 'I don't even know everyone's name's in the band!' declares Becky as if that is somehow cool. 'What's the drummer called again? Dave or Rob?' 'Both' clarifies Dan. 'We have three drummers altogether. In fact, we have never turned anyone down who wanted to join. We have just picked people up along the way really'.

They have a system of encouragement, whereby everyone is able to express themselves, and the band morphs and moves organically. One thing is sure in these conditions: no two Barnacles gigs would ever be the same.

'I played in normal bands,' adds Dan, 'where we rehearsed and had set lists and everything, and it was like playing by rote. I can't remember half the gigs because they all sounded identical'. This democratic communal approach reminds me of Belle and Sebastian, who began as an open music workshop in Glasgow. 'You mean like care in the community for nervous musicians' quips Stu. There is a constant air of mischief surrounding these Barnacles.

The band are currently working on their first album, recording it at home, and hope to release it around Christmas. Apart from their trademark shanties, the album will include a Billy Ocean cover (Ocean, gettit?), an arrangement of a Tennyson poem, and some Shakespearean ditties as well. They like the contrast between recordings and live shows, says Stu, because a recording gives a little snapshot in time of a particular sound on a particular day and keeps it, like a photograph. In order to try and reproduce the energy and vitality of their gigs as well, they are doing a couple of live tracks, cramming as many of the band as they can into a local studio.

When I ask them about other local bands they like, Stu Dan and Becky get a bit vague again. They mention SWON (no longer with us), Poke, Babylonglegs, The Yell, Bon Voyage… and then realise all those listed include musicians who play with The Barnacles anyway!

'But we are not a supergroup' insists Stuart. 'We're not aiming for superstar status. Everyone's a superstar in our world'. He has a twinkle in his eye when he says this, but I believe him. The Barnacles are a breath of fresh sea air in the land-lubbing pop industry. Long may they sail.

Interview by Elly Tams
Photoshoot by Mark Tighe

www.myspace.com/wearethebarnacles