Stereo Kicks, the cutest musical mob since Bugsy Malone, will be swarming the stage this weekend at G-A-Y. We caught up with mono-Kick Tom Mann to chat about X Factor judges, band best friends and why he’d avoid Sharon Osbourne!
Hey Tom! Tell me about the new single, ‘Love Me So’, you wrote it right?
Yeah, I wrote the song a while back, not necessarily with Stereo Kicks in mind but the boys really liked it. It’s easier writing our own songs because I know what everyone in the group likes, so rather than having a song from the label that a couple of people need convincing on, you can write something that fits everyone’s tastes.
That’s quite a task with so many of you though! It must be like Cheaper By the Dozen, do you all travel around in a van?
At the start we had a minibus and it was horrific. It was just a mess. Now we have a sleeper bus and it’s much easier. Even when it’s chaotic though, I always say I’d much rather be doing this with a group of friends than by myself.
A lot of solo artists say that travelling by themselves is really lonely.
Yeah, I mean obviously you have your road managers and drivers but those are more professional relationships. With a band I’ve got loads of other guys to talk to.
Yeah, it’s not even like a three-piece band where you’ll be sick of each other in a week’s time, you have quite a lot of friends to choose from.
Exactly, everybody’s got their little groups within the band. Not in a bad way, it’s just who you naturally connect with more, your best friends within the group. It’s great. Even when they’re all screaming and shouting, doing your head in, I’d still prefer this than being alone.
You guys were originally managed by Louis Walsh but you parted ways earlier this year. Tell me about that.
Well, technically we weren’t managed by him, but he was our mentor through the show. That’s really his only involvement. He took us through the shows and then that was it. Not much else.
So pretty hands off!
Pretty much. We already had a manager and we were doing our own thing.
You’re playing G-A-Y this weekend and you’ve got a pretty big gay fanbase, how do you feel about that?
You know, we haven’t had the chance to interact with them that much yet. But we pretty much love anyone who loves us, so they’re great! We performed at G-A-Y before, just after we came off X-Factor. We’re really looking forward to going back. It’s a great energy and vibe.
The new X-Factor judging line-up was announced recently: Cheryl, Simon Cowell, Nick Grimshaw and Rita Ora. What do you think of that?
I think that’s a pretty good line-up. Nick Grimshaw is the face of Radio One and Rita Ora was good on The Voice. Pretty fiery and opinionated. Obviously they’re trying to revamp the show and go a bit younger. That should work.
Personally I will miss Mel B; her and Cheryl together was the best.
Yeah, where is Mel B? She was lovely to us. I feel like she just disappeared.
“Even when it’s chaotic though, I always says I’d much rather be doing this with a group of friends than by myself.”
Let’s play a quick game of SNOG, MARRY, AVOID.
You’re going to get me into trouble!
Probably! Britney, Christina, Jessica Simpson?
Who do you choose out of that? I’d snog Christina, I’ve always had kind of a thing for her, marry Jessica Simpson and avoid Britney. I’m a pretty simple guy, I don’t need that kind of hassle. Britney is drama.
Leona Lewis, Alexandra Burke or Rylan?
I love Rylan. I can’t avoid him! I’d marry Rylan, snog Leona and avoid Alexandra Burke.
Cheryl Cole, Nicole Scherzinger, or Sharon Osbourne?
If I avoid Sharon she’s gonna kill me.
She won’t be happy. I’ve seen her chase people with buckets of water.
Oh my god. She is but…snog Nicole, marry Cheryl, avoid Sharon!
She’ll be coming for you now.
Oh god! Sorry Sharon!
• Stereo Kicks are at G-A-Y @ Heaven (Under the Arches, Villiers Street, Charing Cross, WC2N 6NG) on Saturday 20th June, 11pm-5am. Discount entry wristbands available at G-A-Y Bar.
