Late Of The Pier

Musician — Castle Donington

01Profile

A Late Of The Pier Photo

03Interview

Photograph by John Bergman

Name, where are you from?
Sam Potter, Castle Donington.

Describe your style in three words?
Comfortable cowboy 1995.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Fugazi at Rock City in 2004.

If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Some of Fela Kuti’s shows at his house would have been wild but we’d have been so out of place there! We would have been good support for Tangerine Dream at Coventry Cathedral.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
It’s hard to live in 2019 without being affected by most of them. We were born in the crossroads. New York from Phill Glass, Arthur Russell time through to the loft parties/CBGB’s and even up to the club kids excess have always looked mad.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I bet that Rasputin fella had some pretty good chat.

Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
I always enjoyed La Cigalle in Paris, very opulent, always a reminder that we were a long way from The Victoria Bikers Pub, Coalville (you can guess where we got the best reception too).

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Sh*t, there’s so many. Cleaners from Venus, Robert Wyatt, Acetone, Meredith Monk, Moondog, even my mates stepdad made great music, maybe check out him, he’s called February Montaine.


Late Of The Pier has announced a special 10th-anniversary edition of their cult debut album 'Fantasy Black Channel' and a near-future music manual released on Rough Trade Books, find out more about both here.

You can also catch Sam on the panel for a talk, hosted by Jarvis Cocker at the Science Museum, about future technologies in music. Find out more here.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
Either ‘My Baby Just Cares For Me' by Nina Simone or ‘Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner’ by Black Uhuru (thanks to Mum and Dad and CD’s!)

A song that defines the teenage you?
For the most part sheer confusion, tinged with a little creepy wonder 'Gemini' by Stockhausen.

One record you would keep forever?
'Tender Buttons' by Broadcast.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
“Love is the king of the beasts
And when it gets hungry it must kill to eat
Love is the king of the beasts
A lion walking down city streets”

'Eid Man Clack Shaw' by Bill Callahan.

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'All Over My Face'' by Loose Joints.

A song you wished you had written?
'Hallelujah' by Leonard Cohen.

Best song to turn up loud?
'Wriggle Like An Eel' by Whitehouse.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Wriggle Like An Eel' by Whitehouse!

Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Let Em In' by Paul McCartney/Wings.

Any new bands/artists you are listening to right now?
'Maid of the Mist' by Michal Turtle. 
'I Don’t Care' by Park Hye Jin.
'Deux' by SCINTII.

03Interview

Photograph by John Bergman

Name, where are you from?
Sam Potter, Castle Donington.

Describe your style in three words?
Comfortable cowboy 1995.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Fugazi at Rock City in 2004.

If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Some of Fela Kuti’s shows at his house would have been wild but we’d have been so out of place there! We would have been good support for Tangerine Dream at Coventry Cathedral.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
It’s hard to live in 2019 without being affected by most of them. We were born in the crossroads. New York from Phill Glass, Arthur Russell time through to the loft parties/CBGB’s and even up to the club kids excess have always looked mad.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I bet that Rasputin fella had some pretty good chat.

Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
I always enjoyed La Cigalle in Paris, very opulent, always a reminder that we were a long way from The Victoria Bikers Pub, Coalville (you can guess where we got the best reception too).

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Sh*t, there’s so many. Cleaners from Venus, Robert Wyatt, Acetone, Meredith Monk, Moondog, even my mates stepdad made great music, maybe check out him, he’s called February Montaine.


Late Of The Pier has announced a special 10th-anniversary edition of their cult debut album 'Fantasy Black Channel' and a near-future music manual released on Rough Trade Books, find out more about both here.

You can also catch Sam on the panel for a talk, hosted by Jarvis Cocker at the Science Museum, about future technologies in music. Find out more here.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
Either ‘My Baby Just Cares For Me' by Nina Simone or ‘Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner’ by Black Uhuru (thanks to Mum and Dad and CD’s!)

A song that defines the teenage you?
For the most part sheer confusion, tinged with a little creepy wonder 'Gemini' by Stockhausen.

One record you would keep forever?
'Tender Buttons' by Broadcast.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
“Love is the king of the beasts
And when it gets hungry it must kill to eat
Love is the king of the beasts
A lion walking down city streets”

'Eid Man Clack Shaw' by Bill Callahan.

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'All Over My Face'' by Loose Joints.

A song you wished you had written?
'Hallelujah' by Leonard Cohen.

Best song to turn up loud?
'Wriggle Like An Eel' by Whitehouse.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Wriggle Like An Eel' by Whitehouse!

Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Let Em In' by Paul McCartney/Wings.

Any new bands/artists you are listening to right now?
'Maid of the Mist' by Michal Turtle. 
'I Don’t Care' by Park Hye Jin.
'Deux' by SCINTII.

 

05Videos

Late Of The Pier | Best In The Class (2010)

Late Of The Pier | Focker (2008)

Late Of The Pier | Space And The Woods (2008)

Ecstatic Data Sets: The Chorismos Apeiron Scanner (2028 Edition)