This month, VANT’s Mattie runs the gauntlet of our random, stupid queries.
Hello. How are you?
Fantastic.
What’s your favourite thing about being a musician?
Getting to do something I love every single day.
What’s your biggest accomplishment?
Putting our debut album, a political punk record, out on a label as prestigious as Parlophone.
What’s the best song you’ve written or played on?
One you haven’t heard yet.
If you won the lottery, what would you spend the cash on?
Environmental protection and improving our educational system.
Which defunct band would you most like to reform?
Fugazi.
What is your most treasured possession?
Probably my laptop, I’ve written almost every song using this one and it’s waterlogged predecessor RIP.
How punk are you out of ten?
8.
You have to support either U2 or Red Hot Chili Peppers on tour. Who do you pick?
Easy, RHCP.
What is your earliest memory?
It’s very North Easterly. I remember my Grandad taking me around Seaham Harbour town centre in my pram and feeding me Greggs pasties. He used to try and hide the crumbs but my Mam would always find them. We also used to walk crabs together along the seafront, he was a character.
Who’s your favourite new band?
Cabbage.
What was the first record you bought?
‘Popstars’ by Hear’say.
Who was your favourite musician or band when you were 14?
The Vines.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done, and would you do it again?
I once drove my friends car to college hungover without a license to get my exam results. I would never do that again it was fucking stupid.
Who’s your favourite pop star?
Katy Perry.
Which is the best Revels sweet?
I wouldn’t know the difference.
What strength Nandos sauce do you order?
Fuck Nandos.
What was the last thing you broke?
My headphones.
What’s your biggest fear?
The extinction of humanity.
What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done?
I scuba dived off the coast of Tasmania (in Shark Country, which I didn’t find out until later) without any previous lessons and very little guidance from my ex’s father, it was fun though. No idea what I’d have done if I’d encountered a shark though!
What’s the most impressive thing you can cook?
I have a thing called a ‘Mattie Special’ which is my perfect breakfast. I make it a lot for my girlfriend at home and the boys on tour. Toasted hand-cut sourdough, smashed avocado with lime, chilli and olive oil, caramelised / roasted vine tomatoes, garlic mushrooms, halloumi, poached eggs with a bit of salt, pepper and corriander to garnish. I’m trying to become vegan though so I’m working on a few alternatives.
VANT play Dork’s stage at Live At Leeds on 29th April. Visit liveatleeds.com for all the info.