Sneaky
October 6th, 2008 by sparky
Classically trained musician Sneaky realised the need to search for his own musical identity at a very young age. After many years of formal training on cello and double bass, and the completion of a music degree in his hometown of Manchester, Sneaky became involved with forward thinking club nights Headfunk and Eardrum alongside a young drummer James Ford (Simian Mobile Disco) and resident DJs Mr Scruff, Andy Votel and Mark Rae. By 1997 Sneaky was heavily involved with Mark Rae´s Manchester based label Grand Central as a live session musician touring extensively around Europe and Australia with Rae & Christian.
A session with fellow Mancunian, Mr Scruff, in 1999 produced the cheeky dance-floor classic “Get a Move On” and the following year Sneaky formed Fingathing with fellow R&C band member and turntablist Peter Parker, after jamming together in the downtime of the R&C rehearsals.
7 years of worldwide touring, 3 albums, several singles and EPs released through Grand Central and Ninja Tune, Sneaky is now itching to make his solo mark. Keep ‘em peeled for more news on Sneaky’s Big Chill Recordings debut ‘Feel Like A King – Pluck A String’ early next year, but in the meantime we caught up with the bass man in his Berlin home to find out what he’s been up to…
Who are you?
Sneaky or Simon depending on who I´m talking to.
What have you been working on lately?
Since finishing my album I´ve been working on loads of new tunes, collaborations with various people and rehearsing up my live project with a drummer here in Berlin. I started going to German classes recently after the guilt of not speaking the native tongue got too much. Being the only Brit in the class I´m enjoying getting to know a super broad spectrum of people whose common bond is our lack of Deutsch.
What are your current top 5 tunes?
In no particular order:
Stay Away From Me – The Sylvers
MGMT – Electric Feel
Simian Mobile Disco – Huestler (Joaquim Remix)
Robert Last – Tears of a Clown
Jamie Lidell – Little Bit of Feel Good (Mr Oizo Remix)
And your all-time top 5 tunes?
David Axelrod – Songs of Experience
Knowing that I had to have one Axelrod album in my top 5, I realized it had to be this one. It follows on from his album Song of Innocence based on the 18th century poems of William Blake. The way bass player Carol Kaye nails her groove together with Earl Palmer on drums is hip hop heaven. This mixed with killer sometimes psychotic strings and perfectly placed piano parts makes for a super heavy, moving experience. The title don’t lie.
Roberta Flack – First Take
The musical relationship between Roberta Flack and Ron carter is sublime. Her 1969 debut album for Atlantic, the energy captured is almost too heavy for background listening. In order to fully experience it, there must be absolute silence, let it wash over you and afterwards you will feel wiser.
DJ Shadow – Entroducing
This album changed hip hop and the art of sampling which it took to another level. It showed the world the possibilities of exploration based on the influence and sampling of forgotten material. When it comes to digging deeper, Shadow is a pioneer. Without this album, perhaps there would’ve been no Fingathing.
This album fueled my fire for collecting vinyl, and I became a real sample nerd for a time, trying to own as many of the original records . It was all about finding killer cheap second hand records at the time; the whole experience of trawling through charity shop crates and bargain bins gave weight and higher personal value to these gems Probably a favourite of many, and rightly so.
Pixies – Doolittle
I went to see The Pixies play at Manchester Apollo in my early teens and they blew my prepubescent mind. Made me want to be in a band. It was actually the tour for the following album Bossanova but it was this one, heard on constant rotation from my elder brother’s bedroom that got me hooked. I love The Pixies!
Stevie Wonder – Songs In The Key of Life
Another obvious choice here, but there is a reason why certain albums are frequently mentioned. This is a truly timeless collection of songs, transcending genres. I was mainly into rock and grunge music before I heard this album, my brother played it to me on a cassette one day and the next day my school band changed from a morose grunge band to a half arsed funk combo. Stevie is untouchable and this album will last forever.
11 that almost made the cut
Cymande- Cymande lp
JDilla – Donuts lp
Donny Hathaway – Live lp
James Brown- Slaughter’s Big Rip-Off OST lp
Lords of the Underground – Here Come The Lords lp
David Shire- The Taking of Pelham 123.OST lp
Barry White – Together Brothers OST lp
Violent Femmes- Violent Femmes lp
Nina Simone- Tell Me More
Ray Bryant- Up Above the Rock lp
Gil Scott Heron- Pieces of a Man lp
Who would you cite as your main musical influences?
If I spend too long on this I would be here all day. It´s hard to pin down main influences when you´re constantly listening out for new stuff. So here´s the first few that come to mind: David Axelrod, Ron Carter, Francois Rabbath, Gil Scott Heron, Stevie Wonder, Ennio Morricone and my dad.
If you could collaborate with one person (living or dead) who would it be, and why?
Miles Davis – why? Cos he´s the man!
What has been your best gig experience?
Hard to pick out one in particular, been lots of really ace Fingathing gigs (and I´m not just sayin’ that to look good, honest we have!) especially outside the UK, but I´d have to say the one that sticks in my chiseled mind was probably in London. One of the last ones we did a few years ago at Cargo where my parents came to see us for the first time. My mum was celebrating her 60th birthday and they remained heads nodding throughout the show. This was a great experience that I´ll never forget.
And your worst?
Maybe a gig Fingathing did in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A technical disaster. The electrics were powered by generators which cut out maybe 6 or 7 times during our set. Orrible. Was such a shame cos I love KL and the crowd really wanted to hear/see us. In the end they barely did.
What three things would your ideal bar have to have?
Hmmm……good food, local ales and a rooty toot soundsystem!
Describe your ideal evening chilling at home…
Jerk chicken dinner!! One thing I really miss from Manchester. M&Ms or Dougy´s please open a shop in Berlin soooon!
Where is your favourite place?
Behind my bass.
What are you reading these days?
At the moment a book of short German stories which are actually pretty crap but they are in both German and English so it´s good for the language learnin. The last book I enjoyed was “atomic sushi” by Simon May.
If your life was a film, which one would it be?
It ain’t been written yet, and thankfully it´s work in progress! Of late my role has shifted from starring actor to more of a director/producer one.
Highlight of your life so far?
Wow biggy! Hmmm…well probably have to say meeting Rina, my lovely wife just about 10 years ago in Kuala Lumpur, and before you ask, no she isn´t sat here next to me. I am totally a better person for meeting her. And she has been and continues to be the highlight in my life. I know this sounds cheesy as hell and I can hear the barfing already, but frankly I don´t give a damn!
What would you most like to achieve over the next five years?
Financial stability through doing what I love, playing and creating music.
At a festival – tent, B&B, or hotel for you, and why?
Chances are I´d be partying just a little bit too much to need any, but if I had the choice, hotel of course! I´d be fine with a tent nevertheless.
What was your best Big Chill moment?
Playing with Fingathing in the Dance tent in 2004 or 2005 (can´t quite remember?).
Describe the essence of The Big Chill in a few words…
How a UK festival should be.
I’m just on my way to the bar – what I get you?
Rum n ginger please (Myer´s or Sappleton estate if they have it) ta la!