Cult indie-rock band, The Subways are to play Lincoln as part of new club night, Propaganda at the Engine Shed on Saturday, September 29th.
Made up of singer and guitarist Billy Lunn, bassist and singer Charlotte Cooper, and drummer Josh Morgan, the band are known for their lively festival sets and party atmosphere at gigs.
But it wasn’t always such a rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle for the band. The Subways started off their career in a small homemade studio, releasing their debut album, “Young For Eternity,” in 2005.
Seven years and three studio albums later, it’s a world away from the band’s roots in Welwyn Garden City. Charlotte Cooper explained: “It’s amazing. I don’t think we could ever have hoped for this.”
She continued: “You have this dream of going on tour and people actually coming to watch you. We went to Romania for the first time this summer and not only were there people there, but they knew all the words.”
Cooper said performing is something The Subways have literally grown up with:“I don’t think any of us could imagine doing anything else. We’ve been on tour, on-stage, and had everything that goes with that. Meeting fans and seeing new places is what keeps us going.”
Although, she said life in a band could also be hard at times: “We did have to grow up quite quickly. Everyone who is 18 is going off to university or starting their first job, but for us we were going on the road. Everybody who experiences those things has to change!”
She continued: “We definitely have more of a cult following, with some very loyal fans that have been there right from the start.”
Just as The Subways started off on the local music scene, Cooper said the band helps support local, up-and-coming musicians: “It is really important to give as much encouragement as possible to young bands – it’s that enthusiasm that carried us.”
Fans will recognise songs such as “Rock and Roll Queen” and “We Don’t Need Money To Have A Good Time” – the band’s first song to be playlisted on BBC Radio 1.
Cooper said the band enjoys the festival atmosphere in particular: “There is something truly awesome when you go on stage to tens of thousands of people, all jumping up and down and moving at the same time – the sound when they all scream is just unreal!”
However, the group still has a passion for playing venues, as Cooper explains: “There’s something really cool about small indoor club shows. It’s really intense when the whole room is heaving and packed to the ceiling.”
When asked if she thinks there is a lack of girls in bands, she laughed and said: “Numbers wise maybe. Sometimes if you look at a festival line-up there’s just me, doing it for the girls! But if you look at things like Reading and Leads, it’s been great, with bands like Paramore and Florence and the Machine.
“There’s quite a good representation for girls in music. It’s becoming more acceptable now. It used to be that people saw girls in bands as a bit ridiculous, which was incredibly annoying!
The band is looking forward to performing in Lincoln. Charlotte said: “It’s going to be fun. We’re doing a run of Propaganda shows. It’s been a long time since we played Lincoln, maybe not since 2005, so it will be great to go back!
“It’s going to be a short sharp punk set and part of a club night so everyone’s going to be dancing. We’re going to come on and rock out for 30 or 40 minutes and play a mixture of our best songs. That’s what these nights are all about. It’s all about having fun and that’s what we’re going to do!”
Tickets are available at £4 each through the Engine Shed box office or online on the Propaganda website.