- You've had an amazing year - tell us about the highlights and what it's been like to be catapulted into the public eye?
Tom: It's been an amazing year thanks to the hard work and the devotion and effort of all the fans. The people who bought the single, the people who came to the shows, everyone who's supported the band in any way should be proud. It's been great to see every one's positive reaction so far. We never expected people to understand a bunch of songs we wrote on shop floors and in Andy's Fiesta so it's been great thanks.
- How does it feel to be playing at the Godiva Festival in front of your home crowd?
Tom: Godiva is a great free festival. It's an opportunity for local unsigned bands to get great exposure. It's an opportunity for music lovers who are too young to get into venues to see their favourite bands and it's free. We're well chuffed to be playing it, I remember a couple of years ago me and Liam climbing the backstage fence to see the Datsuns side stage. What really annoys me about Godiva though, is the whinging, whining residents who every year without fail campaign about the festival and force the Council to impose a ridiculous noise curfew which makes larger touring bands more reluctant to play. It's a few days a year of culture, music and celebration, something that Coventry as a city needs. Still it's a great festival and we're looking forward to smashing it away!!
- Who are you looking forward to seeing at the Godiva Festival?
Tom: Super Furrys will be good to watch as I've never seen them live before but I'm just as interested to see what's going on in the small tent and see some local bands. Cov's got a lot to offer.
- Have you ever been to the Godiva Festival before?
Tom: Yup, Liam bought his first sword (he's now got a collection) at Godiva a couple of years ago. We played last year, first on in the main tent, and I've been a few times before. It's a good laff.
- Has living and growing up here inspired many of your songs?
Tom: Of course: I defy any songwriter not to be influenced by their surroundings. I grew up in Birmingham and moved to Cov a couple of years ago but Liam and Andy have lived in Cov their whole lives.
- How did you decide on your name?
Tom: Andy came up with it, we were driving to Pizza Hut in his Fiesta and he just came out with it, we had no idea there was a magazine called NME at that point!!!
- How did it all start for you guys?
Tom: Sitting in a pub drunk, me and Andy had a moment of realisation. We were spending more time in the pub than we were earning, both selling TV's for a living, not enjoying life much. We were both aware that Liam played drums and that together we had all the components to make a band. We ended up sitting on Liam's brother's bedroom floor and agreed we'd have a bash. First time we played together we wrote "40 Days and 40 Nights" and decided we'd better arrange a few more rehearsals!!!!!
- Any band rituals before you go on stage?
Tom: Nah, just have a bev and chillax!!!!
- How excited were you about touring with the Manics?
Tom: Touring with the Manics was class. It was one of the best tours we've done. Totally different fans, totally different vibe but a great tour and they're class guys, would go back on tour with them like a shot!
- What do you want to achieve in the future?
Tom: Everything.
- How would you describe the Enemy's sound?
Tom: I wouldn't. I'm a musician not a journalist. I make sounds and leave the describing to people who are good at describing music. I don't think we're easy to pigeon hole like other bands though, we listen to a lot of different sorts of music and I think different people hear different influences in us.
- Who would you compare yourself to?
Tom: Nobody!
- What would you be doing if you weren't in The Enemy?
Tom: I'd be selling TV's for the Co-op, Andy would be selling TV's too and Liam was made unemployed a week before the band signed so God knows where he'd be!
- If you could form a "Super Group" who would be in it?
Tom: Me, Liam and Andy!
- If you could sum up Coventry in 3 words what would they be?
Tom: Diverse. Cultured. Home.
- Who or what are your inspirations?
Tom: Everyday life and everyday people inspire me, not just in my music but in general. The people that silently make the world go round that no one stops and bothers to thank. Ever shook your postman's hand? You'd be screwed without him.
- Have you heard any mistruths about yourselves in the media? if so what has been the best lie you've heard?
Tom: We were supposedly meant to be a super group of the Kaisers the Paddingtons and Boy Kill Boy!!!!! Ha!!!!
- Do you have girlfriends? And if so how are they coping with your rise to stardom?
Tom: Liam and Andy don't. I do, and she's just fine, thanks for asking.
- Who's the heart throb of the group?
Tom: Who know..... you're probably asking the wrong person as I don't fancy Liam, Andy or myself. I think it would be a bit weird if I did don't you?
- Any weird fans or have you been sent any strange fan letters/objects?
Tom: We had one that "enquired as to what our leisure preferences were" ..... odd question...... but fair play.
- Have you ever been star struck and if so by whom?
Tom: Not really, I don't care about celebrities. I'll leave that to Avid Merion.
- Any celebrity crushes?
Tom: Not personally, Madonna's past her best now isn't she?
The new single "You're Not Alone" is released 17th September 2007 and the album "We'll Live And Die In These Towns" is out now. The Enemy will be touring the UK during September and October as part of the NME Rock n Roll Riot tour.
*Interview from CV One's "Feel Alive" Magazine and typed up by robmacca.
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