Bull

Photo by Esme Mai

Name, where are you from?
T: Tom Beer, Bull we’re from York.
D: This is Dan from the band Bull from York.

What do you do?
T: I play the guitar and sing and write most of the songs.
D: I play guitar in Bull.

Describe your style in three words?
T: Give a f*ck.
D: hot and spicy.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
T: Snoop Dogg at Glastonbury I enjoyed so much.
D: Flaming Lips at Glastonbury 2017.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
T: Subcultures... hard one to define in my head. I suppose the music scene of people in York where we’re from was a genuine subculture of people playing music for the fun of it. Especially one period of time centred around a tiny pub called the Woolpack. More zeitgeisty, I guess like punk? But is that really a subculture?
D: I was obsessed with mod culture when I was 16. I rode a Vespa and wore a parker all year round, but that same year I joined the band and stopped cutting my hair. From that point on I guess I was pretty taken with slacker culture, it seemed to be a better fit with my lazy disposition.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
T: Bob Dylan, he’s my musical songwriting hero, it would be really nice to meet him!
D: I’d probably have to go with Jesus, just to clear some stuff up. 

Of all the independent venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
T: The Crescent Community Venue in York. It’s obviously very close to us. It’s run by good people who like good stuff and have never been in it for the dough (still go and spend money there though!) it’s a community venue, it has followed the great tradition of the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds. Shout out to the Trades Club in Hebdon Bridge also. There are so many amazing indie venues, my favourite places in the world!
D: Probably the Brudenell Social Club, because the sound is always great and the vegan pies are delicious.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
T: Judee Sill - she’s pretty unsung/massively underrated and very incredible. I think she is held in high esteem though I guess. I’ve chosen my favourite song by her which is called 'The Kiss'. “Once a Crystal choir appeared while sleeping, and called my name. And when they came down nearer, saying dying is done, then a new song was sung. Singing somewhere, we’ll breathe as one. And still I hear their whisper....”
D: Probably Steve Malkmus from Pavement, as a guitar player he doesn’t seem to get a massive amount of recognition, perhaps his guitar playing is slightly dwarfed by his reputation as a songwriter, but he can shred like no other.