I’m generally not one for bands tipped as “the next Arctic Monkeys’” for obvious reasons. British indie music has been in the doldrums for some time now, with rehash after rehash of the post-Libertines sound (sorry if I sound like a miserable sod). But there was something about The Brightlights new single “Inspired By” that flicked my switch. Hailing from Grimsby, birthplace of The Verve, this four-piece deliver their ballsy sound with so much panache, it’s quite difficult not to fall for it.

1. Describe your sound in 3 words.
Being from Grimsby…Northern tinged ‘Sole’ touched by the hand of ‘Cod’.
2. What would be your ideal holiday?
Playing every continent! From penguins in the snow to gorillas in trees.
3. What’s the best cure for a hangover?
Water, but not the water from the toilet that you are bent over. Failing that another can always works…
4. What’s on your rider?
Part of our rider is a request for a crate of 24 beers. It’s hilarious as we have now tried a variety of cheap badly named beer from many unknown locations.
5. How do you get ready for a live show?
Sometimes we sit and discuss the effects of global warming on the weather but most of the time we watch the support bands, get overly excited, dance and jump around whilst suffering the taste of warm Rola Beer from the depths of the Sahara Desert.
6. What’s your favourite song to play live?
We all have a favourite song which constantly changes…
7. When was the last time you told a lie?
Last question.
8. Who would win in a fight, a stoat or a goat and why?
If it was a ‘Billy’ it would be a bit silly. If it was a ‘Nanny’ it would be a bit of a fanny so I’d definitely put money on the stoat. In fact if you go to the local betting shop in Kazakhstan you can bet on it.
9. What was the last album you bought?
Radiohead – In Rainbows, and Lou Reed – Transformer
10. If you could rid the world of one song - what would it be?
Peter Andre – Insania
11. Who would play you in a film based upon your life?
Ricky Gervais
12. Dead or alive. What 5 acts would you have play with you at a festival.
1. Coldplay
2. Oasis
3. Radiohead
4. The Rolling Stones
5. The Killers
13. Desert Island Disc? Pick only one.
Definitely Maybe.
14. What’s your most memorable on the road story?
Many. We have such a great time on the road together that we could mention a million. The funniest moments are when we are in the van on the way to a gig. Luke once rang the Volvic Water 24 hour helpline to request advice on opening the cap, you had to be there…
15. If your life flashed before your eyes, what would be the highlights?
Being on the road with the band and playing the V Festival Channel 4 stage.
16. File sharing and Myspace - Sign me up or cold shoulder?
Myspace is a great thing as it allows you to interact directly with your fans. We have discovered many great through people trough Myspace – if anybody has Gemma Atkinson’s details be sure to tell her I was only joking.
17. If you had to leave a body part to science, what would it be?
Eyelash.
18. What’s the best book you’ve read and film you’ve seen in the last 6 months?
‘This Is England’ is the best film we have seen in the past 6 months and we have been reading books by Chris Moyles and Radiohead.
19. What three things could you not live without?
Oxygen, water and the correct nutritional requirements.
20. Tell us a fact about yourself we probably don’t already know.
We have all lived within a mile of each other since birth.

Links
The Brightlights [official site] [myspace]