New Nervous Kind

For the lads who make up the New Nervous Kind Canterbury has been home for the last eight years, initially as university students.

In their own words “compared to university, life seemed quiet at first” but luckily the boys Terence, founder and songwriter, George, founder and bass player, Jack Drummer, who the band proudly brag of poaching from an 80s covers band and Jack Howe, referred to as the band’s “sex appeal disguised as the bass player” have really embraced the quieter post-uni life in Canterbury. Putting their lecture-free time to good use.  Last year, New Nervous Kind recorded a marvellous EP (Going Nowhere) that brought comparisons to the sound of the Arctic Monkeys and The Strokes.

CommunityAd had the chance to sit down with the band to find out a little more about them before their gig at the Penny Theatre on the 21st of February.

New Nervous Kind is a memorable name. What’s the origin behind that?

The name New Nervous Kind was taken from an indie band from Birmingham in the ’70s/80’s who went by the name “The Nervous Kind “. Being relatives of Terence (NNK frontman) we decided to adopt the name and carry it on in homage and respect for what The Nervous Kind had done and achieved as they were successful in their own right (touring with the likes of UB40 and The Beat). This was our way of taking the torch and seeing how far we could run with it.

The Penny Theatre describe your style as indie rock anthems with big choruses and mellow verses, would you go along with that? How would you describe the band to our readers, not in the know?

We certainly try to create songs that are as closely tied to the “anthem” title as possible, probably lively sing-along types in reality. We try to describe our music as indie rock as our songs vary to different reaches of the spectrum, but we’ve been described by our listeners as being of similar style to the likes of The Strokes, Kinks, the Hives,

The Kooks, and in some rare case. Oasis (don’t ask us why).

Do you recall the band’s first gig?

The first gig that featured some of our original songs was in the chapel in Broadstairs Folk Week, but the first-ever appearance by the New Nervous Kind was in the ballroom in Canterbury. And thus, the band was born!

I’ve interviewed a few musical-minded people in Kent and they are convinced it’s a thriving scene, would you agree?

Kent is a big place, so to the average Joe the music scene may seem a bit precarious, but from experience and discovering artists and bands on the circuit, we believe there is an abundance of talent keeping the scene very much alive. This being said, the scene wouldn’t be thriving without such venues as The Penny Theatre, Ramsgate Music Hall, The Forum in Tunbridge Wells, and also online music platforms such as Seaside Sessions. For these venues and die-hard fans of live original music to give artists the opportunity to showcase their own music is no less than spectacular. These guys are the unsung heroes and deserve more credit than they probably receive.

If you could have anyone else join the band who would you recruit (dead or alive) and why?

Cyndi Lauper. Why her? Why not. Ask us the same question and we will give you the same answer time after time (pun intended).

Desert Island discs time, if you could pick three singles to take with you on a desert Island?

1. Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen. For everyone needs a bit of opera in hard times. 2. Kiss From A Rose – Seal. This “take your clothes off” kind of chorus would serve us well in the hot sun. 3. This Is The End – The Doors. This speaks for itself.

What makes it such a lovely community to be a part of? Some great venues and pubs for venues?

Canterbury has managed to embrace change and keep up with modern times without losing its charm, this is due to having a strong sense of community. The university life brings many different kinds of people, arts and cultures, all of which are welcomed with open arms and fully supported by the public. This along with the nightlife, architecture and cobbled streets. What more would you want?

The Penny Theatre will host a cracking indie night where you can catch the New Nervous Kind on the 21st February and be sure to check out their social media pages for further updates including their second EP. @NewNervousKind

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