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Every time the word ‘Nashville’ is mentioned, unavoidably some of the first things that spring to mind are cowboy boots, line dancing, cheesy country ballads and bastard Garth Brookes! Thankfully, in keeping with the progress made by fellow Tennesseeans Kings of Leon and The Features, here on a sunny London afternoon it becomes immediately clear that Be Your Own Pet - Jemina, Nathan, Jamin and Jonas - are in some way helping to eradicate such disturbing thoughts from our minds. Despite still being in their teens, the fresh-faced quartet show an unexpected degree of maturity, together with lashings of pride, style and swagger. Really, with any look 2005 is theirs for the taking.
Quickly it becomes clear that Be You Own Pet don't like being lazily bracketed next to other simply for the fact they've got a female lead singer. When Gigwise asks how they feel like when compared to bands like Yeah Yeah Yeahs, in unison they spout their abhorrance for being pigeonholed by such hacks. Jemina shouts angrily “I’m sure if No Doubt were still together then we would be ‘the new No Doubt’. Do you know how many millions bands have a female singer? Grrrr!”. Fair point.
Fresh from releasing their fabulous new single ‘Fire Department’ - a rock ode to lighting fireworks - they sadly disclose that their much anticipated debut album is still not even recorded yet. It seems those of you gagging for a full-length may have to wait some time. “We haven’t gone into the studio, yet, but we have, like, thirty songs”, says guitarist Jonas. Quickly, bassist Nathan interrupts him and honestly admits “Well, but they’re not all hits”. Such sheer honesty comes from Jemina, too, when she confesses she’s scared to death of performing at Glastonbury – where they are due two days after Gigwise meets them, on the John Peel stage. “I’m scared to be bottled off…but I’m also pretty excited”. When Gigwise duly tells her they’re going to be ace, she expresses her relief, but is also downbeat about missing Babyshambles’ performance due to conflicting stage schedules (don't worry, you're not going to miss out on much!). Nathan and Jonas enthuse they’re pretty damn into single 'Killamangiro', which they tell us is "awesome". After telling us exclusively that they’re coming back to the UK this autumn for a very special tour, they to launch into telling Gigwise about their favourite bands. ‘MC5’ announces Nathan; ‘Television’ proclaims Jonas; ‘The Bravery’ says Jemina with her tongue thankfully wedged firmly in her cheek, and luckily the band burst into laughter. Mmh, and what do Be Your Own Pet think of fellow Nashville rockers Kings of Leon, who once labelled them as their favourite new band? Apparently they love their music – they played support slot in some occasions – but surprisingly they don’t know them all too well. "They’re nice guys" – Nathan adds – "and their backstage is full of girls. Yeah, lots of girls". When asked if THEY have any interesting backstage antics to gossip about, they conclude there’s nothing exciting yet, apart from once when, pointing out at Jamin, they did "some stuff someone’s parents are against". We intrigued! So mothers, be prepared to lock your groupie daughters away, now..
