Walthamstow four piece The Rifles are re-releasing a remastered version of their ten year old debut album No Love Lost on Cooking Vinyl this month, then, to celebrate, playing a three night residency at the Electric Ballroom in June. So we thought it would be an apt time to have their front man Joel Stoker to field our twenty questions:
Where are you and what’s the weather like?
In my garden, beautiful.
What’s your favourite record in the charts?
I honestly do know what’s in the charts.
What are your favourite films?
There’s a few but I have the movie poster of “Stand by Me” in my house so I’ll go with that.
What are your favourite books?
I’ve pretty much only ever read boxing autobiographies and I’ve enjoyed them all, I’m reading Mike Tyson’s at the moment but “Hands of Stone” the Roberto Duran book was one that springs to mind.
What are your favourite TV programmes?
Apart from box nation which is all that’s on my telly (when I’m on my own),I only ever watch box sets. I suppose “Breaking Bad” has to be up there. I’m watching “Better Call Saul “ at the moment and that’s really good.
What was the first record you bought and where did you buy it from?
Chaka Khan, ‘I Feel For You’ purchased in Walthamstow market.
What is your least favourite record that you have made, and why?
That’s a very harsh question. I like them all but I suppose the one that divided the audience the most was our 3rd “Freedom Run.”
Do you believe in God?
I’m not sure but I love the idea of him/her.
What is the strangest story you have read about yourself?
I’m not sure about story but a lot of people I speak to seem to think I’m in to scooters, but truth be known the only bike I’ve ever been on apart from a BMX is a pizza bike, once and I nearly stacked it.
Tell us a joke.
What do you call a donkey with 3 legs………. a wonky!! told to me by my 5 year old son. Legend.
Which football team do you support?
West Ham United.
Do you have any pets?
We had a couple of little sharks but they lasted about a month.
What’s the worst song lyric of all time?
I’m sure there’s been a few but the Razorlight song won’t leave my mind, “I met a girl, she asked me her name, I told her what it was”???
Who do you consider to be the most overrated musical act of all time?
I wouldn’t say they were overrated as there obviously brilliant at what they do, but I just can’t get on with Abba.
What car do you drive?
Land Rover Defender.
Who would you want to play you in the film of your life?
Someone handsome.
Vinyl, CD, Download or stream?
CD. So I can listen in my car. Maybe I need to update.
How will you vote in the election?
I’ve been meaning to investigate what everyone does or wants to do but I really haven’t got a clue at the moment.
When was the last time you cried?
The last time I had a hangover!
What’s the best cover version you have ever heard?
Jimi Hendrix, ‘All Along The Watchtower’
What’s the strangest thing that has ever happened at one of your own gigs?
Just before Christmas a man proposed to his girlfriend in between our set. That was pretty cool.
Have you ever been starstruck?
Yes. Mike Tyson. Starstruck/scared.
What is your culinary speciality?
I love cooking and have become good friends with Tom Kerridge so I make a lot of stuff from his book but I’m pretty mean at a bit of jerk chicken.
The Royal Family: should they stay or should they go?
I feel like they tapered out a bit with “The Prince of Persia.”
If you weren’t doing this, what would you like to be?
If it wasn’t so hard I’d love to be a boxer but failing that I would love to do producing/sound engineering.
What’s your poison?
Scotch.
Which decade would you have most liked to have lived in?
I really love the look and the romance of the Victorian era but I’m also quite partial to a power shower so maybe I’ll just stay where I am.
The Rifles are set to perform ‘No Love Lost’ in its entirety plus all the B-sides with three shows at the Electric Ballroom, Camden on Thursday 4th, Friday 5th and Saturday 6th June.
