Interview; Billy Sullivan (The Spitfires)

With their latest single "Enough Is Enough" out today, Watford trio The Spitfires are back and better than ever. I had a chat with vocalist Billy Sullivan about the band's new direction, songwriting and their upcoming UK tour.

Hi Billy! Can you introduce yourself for our readers and tell us a bit about yourself and your position within the band?

My name is Billy Sullivan, I’m from Watford and I’m the lead singer and guitarist with the band The Spitfires.

What inspired the change of direction within your music? Were there any particular artists you were listening to at the time who inspired you to take a different path?

Nothing in particular. I think there’s always been a mix of influences in our music - it just depends on how deep the listener wants to indulge. We went back to being a three piece recently, for the first time in about 5 years and it was almost like a weight lifted off our shoulders. The heart of the band has always been me, Matt and Sam but this time round we were much more experienced, much better players and much more open minded.

How did the new sound come about? Did it come naturally or was it more of a conscious choice?

I was meeting/working with our new producer Simon Dine that really sparked it. He was able to hear things in a different way and enabled us to explore different avenues that we hadn’t tried before. I suppose we became sick of being stuck in this ‘mod’ thing as well - I think people struggle to see beyond it. We feel we have so much more to offer as a band without being tied down to a certain sound. We’re 24 as well, and we don’t particularly wish to be associated with something that happened long before any of us were born, as much as it may have/still influences us.

Do you have a new approach to songwriting now that you’re experimenting with different sounds? If so, how are you finding it compared to previous writing experiences?

I suppose I do yes. I’ve sort of opened my eyes to home recording in a very amateurish way, which means my ideas can go back and forth with Simon. It also means that by the time we get in to record, we’ve got definite ideas, and Simon can sift through and take out bits that don’t work and introduce new bits that do. It’s made it a far more creative process for me I suppose and to just go with whatever sounds good rather than what we can do live. “If that synth sounds good then it’s fucking going in man!”

Are you going to continually develop the newer direction, or are you hoping to find a sound you’re happy with and stick with that?

I want to constantly push onto new things. Try as much as possible. I don’t believe in these bands sticking to formulas - the likes of these second-rate indie bands that write a song around a chorus that can be sung at a festival. Every song builds in the same way and it’s fucking boring. The general standard in music now is so low and I think people are desperate to latch onto anything cos we’ve not had a really decent young band for years.

You’re going to be embarking on a UK tour throughout October. How do you usually prepare for shows?

Rehearse as much as we can. Try to involve as many new songs as possible and shake up the setlist. We tour quite a lot so it’s important people ain’t seeing the same show every time.

Do you have anything special planned for the upcoming tour?

Not particularly. Just good nights out with a good band playing good songs. Come down, get pissed and have a dance!

The Spitfires' new single "Enough Is Enough" is out today. Give it a listen here.

Words by Alex Vickers