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Get To Know: Chubby and the Gang

Rock'n'roll ain't dead with Chubby and the Gang on the scene...

Punk West London five-piece, Chubby and The Gang, named after frontman Charlie ‘Chubby’ Manning, are proving rock ‘n’ roll is definitely not dead!

Charlie says he was very much influenced by the DIY punk and hardcore scene in London growing up, but the band’s debut album (released last year) definitely has elements of rock ‘n’ roll, glam and pub rock and even blues in there too! At the start of 2020, the band were out touring America, and then we all know what happened… BUT not all was bad in 2020 as the band signed a record deal with Partisan Records (home to fellow rockers IDLES and Fontaines D.C. – a perfect fit right?!) and re-released their debut record 'Speed Kills 'towards the end of last year.

And although the pandemic has put a hold on live music, it has meant so many artists have had time to work on new music, something Chubby and the Gang have definitely been doing. Speaking to 'Clash' magazine, lead singer Charlie said that the band has recorded their second album 'The Mutt's Nuts'in lockdown and it's out August 27th! We tell you now, we’ll be in the middle of the mosh pit at a Chubby and the Gang gig when we’re all allowed to!

Get To Know - Chubby and the Gang

Credit: Pooneh Ghana

Get To Know - Chubby and the Gang

1. For those who don’t know about you and your music, tell us a little bit about who you are and where you’re from…

My name's Chubby Charlie, I'm from London. Sing in the band Chubby and the Gang.

2. Who/what inspired you to start a career in music?

I wouldn't consider this a career. I've been playing in punk and hardcore bands since I was a child. Always for the love of it. Ramones were the first band I really cared about.

3. Who are your biggest musical influences?

I like a lot of different things. Cajun music. New York hardcore. UK82. Happy hardcore. Not that I would say I put all of these things in Chubby and the Gang. But I'd like to think music's all pretty much the same once you get down to it.I think the influences on the band is probably the Chiswick records and 70s punk sound proto punk and some glam rock thrown in there.

4. Tell us about the writing and recording process of your new release…

This is a boring answer but I wrote a lot of these songs on the run up and during lockdown so I had a lot of time to think and ruminate on situations and experiences I had. It all came very naturally and once we pieced them together as a band it just sort of flowed out. I can't say much 'cos I'm back to working as an electrician everyday since recording so I haven't had much of an experience post recording.

5. What has been your biggest career highlight so far?

We played Static Shock festival. That was fun. Maybe having people I really respect in the music game tell me how much they like the record.

6. Who would you be your dream collaboration and why?

Mark Knopfler. Just think he's a genius. Amazing guitar player. Would love to pick his brains.

7. Have you met anyone and been totally starstruck?

No. When I used to drive a minicab Ellie Goulding got in the back. I took her to some gym somewhere. But I told her I liked The Waterboys cover she did. Then she asked me what I said and just said "nothing" and left it.

8. If you could only listen to one song on repeat for the rest of time what would it be and why?

Ramones 'Oh, Oh, I Love Her So.Probably 'Walk Of Life' by Dire Straits. Tune is amazing. Maybe a Bad Brains song. Not sure.

9. What’s on your playlists that people wouldn’t expect?

Jacob Collier. Think the guy's cool. He's not posturing, pretending he's a nutter. He seeks to expand our knowledge of music. Not that I understand what he's saying. But I'm glad he's doing it.

10. What can we expect from your live shows?

Ruckus.

11. Have you got any fun livestreams/online events planned for this year? / When can we see you live?

Not sure. I just show up and see what happens.

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