Speedboat

Musicians — Brighton

01Profile

A Speedboat Photo

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
Johnny and Will Griffiths/Speedboat of Brighton.

Describe your style in three words?
HONKY TONK MAN, it’s not just a style, it's a way of life.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Alex Cameron when he did his secret show at End of the Road. He can really work the crowd, his band were great and he had Jack Ladder on guitar.

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
Probably Sting and Shaggie, Hall and Oats and Speedboat so we can finally lay to rest who the greatest musical duo of all time is.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
Wrangler butts and new wave. That time at the end of the '70s when punk slowed down a bit but the DIY attitude continued to be applied to more melodic ideas, that combined with the production of new affordable synths made for some great tunes. For example, when Paul Weller stopped shouting about the underground, slipped into his loafers, poured himself a cappuccino and formed The Style Council.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
We’d like to spend an hour with Jeff Buckley, so we could tell him not to go swimming with his boots on.

Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
La Zorba in Paris, it’s a small room in the basement of a little Parisian cafe. We played there a few minutes after they announced all of the schools and universities were closing because of covid so there was a pretty wild atmosphere, it was a good show.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Todd Rundgren, he’s probably got a huge fan base but I still think he doesn’t get the credit he deserves.


Speedboat recently released 'Sadie Grey', the first single to be taken from their forthcoming EP 'Better Men', which is set for release on 24th June 2022. Listen, purchase or stream it via ffm.to/sadiegrey.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
'White Wedding' by Billy Idol. As kids, we had a CD called 'Air Guitar Anthems'.

A song that defines the teenage you?
'The Man Who Sold The World' by Nirvana. Of course.

One record you would keep forever?
'McCartney II' by Paul McCartney. Every time you listen to this album you hear something new, it a gift that keeps giving, that's what makes a great record.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
”Well I Just put on my best cologne and I smell like a million bucks, My jeans are tight and my hair’s just right as I jump in the pickup truck, I got four on the floor and a can of Coors here in my hand, I’m gonna honky tonk all night long, cos I’m a Honky Tonk Man.”

From 'I’m a Honky Tonk Man' by David Heavener.

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Rock Your Baby' by George McCrae. Soon as the bossa starts I can’t stop.

A song you wished you had written?
'Video Killed The Radio Star' by The Buggles. This track’s a rippin' pop song but the sounds in the production are kind of bizarre. It's a great song, with a great sound and it's a whole lotta fun.

Best song to turn up loud?
J: 'Raspberry Beret by Prince. Big tune for behind the wheel.
W: 'Photograph' by Def Leppard. This song makes me wanna turn it up, put on some leather trousers and fall in love.

Best song to bring people together?
'Pillow Talk' by Sylvia. It's all in the lyrics, two people couldn’t help but come together if this track is playing.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
J: 'Oops!... I Did It Again' by Britney Spears. This would be my guilty pleasure if pleasure was something to feel guilty about.
W: 'Car Song' by Woody Guthrie. Lots of Woody’s songs are as relevant now as they ever have been. And some of them are just fun and goofy.

Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Avalon' by Roxy Music. This is the track to slow dance the night away.

Any new music you are listening to right now?
'Off Grid' by Holiday Ghosts. These guys are the cat's pyjamas, check 'em out.

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
Johnny and Will Griffiths/Speedboat of Brighton.

Describe your style in three words?
HONKY TONK MAN, it’s not just a style, it's a way of life.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Alex Cameron when he did his secret show at End of the Road. He can really work the crowd, his band were great and he had Jack Ladder on guitar.

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
Probably Sting and Shaggie, Hall and Oats and Speedboat so we can finally lay to rest who the greatest musical duo of all time is.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
Wrangler butts and new wave. That time at the end of the '70s when punk slowed down a bit but the DIY attitude continued to be applied to more melodic ideas, that combined with the production of new affordable synths made for some great tunes. For example, when Paul Weller stopped shouting about the underground, slipped into his loafers, poured himself a cappuccino and formed The Style Council.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
We’d like to spend an hour with Jeff Buckley, so we could tell him not to go swimming with his boots on.

Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
La Zorba in Paris, it’s a small room in the basement of a little Parisian cafe. We played there a few minutes after they announced all of the schools and universities were closing because of covid so there was a pretty wild atmosphere, it was a good show.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Todd Rundgren, he’s probably got a huge fan base but I still think he doesn’t get the credit he deserves.


Speedboat recently released 'Sadie Grey', the first single to be taken from their forthcoming EP 'Better Men', which is set for release on 24th June 2022. Listen, purchase or stream it via ffm.to/sadiegrey.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
'White Wedding' by Billy Idol. As kids, we had a CD called 'Air Guitar Anthems'.

A song that defines the teenage you?
'The Man Who Sold The World' by Nirvana. Of course.

One record you would keep forever?
'McCartney II' by Paul McCartney. Every time you listen to this album you hear something new, it a gift that keeps giving, that's what makes a great record.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
”Well I Just put on my best cologne and I smell like a million bucks, My jeans are tight and my hair’s just right as I jump in the pickup truck, I got four on the floor and a can of Coors here in my hand, I’m gonna honky tonk all night long, cos I’m a Honky Tonk Man.”

From 'I’m a Honky Tonk Man' by David Heavener.

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Rock Your Baby' by George McCrae. Soon as the bossa starts I can’t stop.

A song you wished you had written?
'Video Killed The Radio Star' by The Buggles. This track’s a rippin' pop song but the sounds in the production are kind of bizarre. It's a great song, with a great sound and it's a whole lotta fun.

Best song to turn up loud?
J: 'Raspberry Beret by Prince. Big tune for behind the wheel.
W: 'Photograph' by Def Leppard. This song makes me wanna turn it up, put on some leather trousers and fall in love.

Best song to bring people together?
'Pillow Talk' by Sylvia. It's all in the lyrics, two people couldn’t help but come together if this track is playing.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
J: 'Oops!... I Did It Again' by Britney Spears. This would be my guilty pleasure if pleasure was something to feel guilty about.
W: 'Car Song' by Woody Guthrie. Lots of Woody’s songs are as relevant now as they ever have been. And some of them are just fun and goofy.

Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Avalon' by Roxy Music. This is the track to slow dance the night away.

Any new music you are listening to right now?
'Off Grid' by Holiday Ghosts. These guys are the cat's pyjamas, check 'em out.

 

05Videos

Speedboat | Sadie Grey (2022)

Speedboat | Dog Toy (2021)