Local lads

Posted on 15/4/09 by Abi Siri (No comments)

by Guest Editor Milly Cundall

[caption id="attachment_3056" align="aligncenter" width="471" caption="Man Like Me"][/caption]

As I’m on a roll with my theme of local gems, here’s another one for you: Electro-pop trio Man Like Me consists of Camdenites Jonny Langer, Peter Duffy and Jerome Trombone, who have honed their own, unique blend of grime, electro, ska, hip hop and funk.

Johnny and Peter met at school, (to be more specific, at the back of history lessons in 1997) and went on to form Man Like Me in 2005 with Jerome, originally from the U.S.A, joining later. The band’s long–anticipated album is set to be released next month, with a packed summer of gigs to follow including a slot supporting fellow Camden musicos and ska-legends Madness (who played their first ever gig at famed Parkway boozer, the Dublin Castle) at Madstock as well as a star turn at The Camden Crawl April 24^th – 25^th.

So, as they’re local lads, we thought we’d ask these Camden gents some questions only they could answer!

Is everyone in the group ‘local folk”?

Johnny: I’m local. I grew up on the canal opposite Sainsbury’s.

Pete: My house is actually in Islington but I went to school in Camden and still spend most of my time in London skipping through Camden, Islington and Hackney. I would say I lived through my teens in Camden, skating in Cantelowes Park and trying not to get mugged.

Jerome: No I'm originally from Brooklyn "BOOGIE DOWN BRONX!" But I grew up mostly in South Texas about 2 hours north of the Mexican border. As a result I can play the trombone like an animal (if animals could play trombones) and make orgasmic enchiladas and margaritas. Holla, atcha boy!

Do you think growing up in Camden shaped you musically?

Johnny: Yeah of course! It shaped who I am and that is what comes out through the music. If I grew up in Crystal Palace I’d sound completely different as I would have grown up with different friends and they are the people who have shaped me more than anything.

Pete: I think the school myself and Johnny went to, Acland Burghley, had a big influence on what we listened to. They used to have a band's concert every year where pupils would perform their own songs or covers from heavy metal to RnB. Rudeboys would listen to UK garage and cars would pull up outside the gates blaring it out, people who listened to Nirvana and Green Day were called 'trendies' (a derogatory term used by rudeboys). I mainly listened to Drum and Bass and Rap but would secretly listen to the ‘trendy’ and ‘rudeboy’ music as well.

What’s the best kept Camden secret?

Johnny: The Golden Lion on Royal Collage Street is a wicked pub. Its one of the last pubs left in Camden with a pool table and if you’re lucky they will bring out little party sausages on special occasions. It also accommodates all the old Irish musicians that moved on from the Stags Head when that closed down.

Pete: That would be telling.

Jerome: Where all the bins and toilets are kept.

If you could have free reign in Camden for a day what would you do?

Johnny: I'd go plant a seat in the middle of the junction outside the HSBC and spend a few moments with Camden Town all to myself. My mum has photos of her in the middle of that junction in the 70s with not a car or person in sight so I would kind of like to recreate that.

Pete: I'd rebuild the stables market, destroy All Saints/Hennies, re-open Rhythm records and get myself a house in Primrose Hill.

Jerome: SO easy! Definitely raid all the music and instrument stores and put on a 36 hour rave at Jazz Cafe. Then I'd make all the photo taking, Mohawk guys shave their heads. That'll teach 'em!

Favorite musical influence (sound or band) produced locally…

Johnny: Elmore Judd as they came out of our school at a time when I had never even seen anyone of our generation play an instrument, everyone just had decks. Not only were they playing a whole array of instruments they were doing it bloody well. I also have to say Madness as standard.

Pete: I think as far as proper influences go I would have to say Elmore Judd, I don't know him but he and his brother went to my school and their live shows at the Jazz Cafe were probably one of the biggest inspirations to us when forming our own.

If you had to describe Camden to an alien what would you say?

Johnny: It’s one big theme park!

Pete: "Welcome, I come in peace. The weather’s pretty grim here at the moment so you should come back in the summer. If you ever need a place to stay I've got a fold out bed and a spare room."

Jerome: Oh it’s mad cool, imagine yourself back home with loads more weirdos and all night kebab shops.

The best place to get breakfast is?

Johnny: Mario’s café probably as it’s local, friendly and tucked away but it is a little dear and the portions aren’t the largest.

Pete: Mario’s café on Kelly St is pretty good for fry-ups, also Renoir Cafe do a cracking Spanish omelet.

Jerome: My bedroom.

What’s your favorite local music venue and why?

Johnny: Purely from raving when I was growing up, I would have to say Bagley’s. It was on the canal and always had this magical feeling about it when walking back on misty mornings passing the fishermen and large aggressive white swans.

Pete: I've seen the best gigs at the Jazz Café

Dublin Castle or Hawley Arms?

Johnny: Dublin Castle everyday!! But it was all about the Stags Head, one road down from the Hawley. That was a real boozer which always had live music from the Irish who had resided in Camden for years. It still pains me that it shut down; no other pub in Camden comes close.

Pete: I try to avoid those 2 and the Steele’s (Sir Richard Steele pub in Belsize Park). Celebrities and pubs don't mix for me.

Jerome: Sorry guys haven't been to either one yet but def plan to check out Hawley Arms.

As locals what does performing at the Camden Crawl mean to you?

Johnny: It means a lot but it scares me more than anything, as it’s all a little too close to home.

Pete: It means the pressures on to put on a good show, I think the opinions of the people I grew up with and live around matter the most to me.

Jerome: For me it’s a great opportunity to inject (no pun intended) myself into the heart of cool Camden culture. I'm a bit of a wet blanket myself so I can use all the help I can get.

Finally….plug yourselves here:

Johnny: Come and check us out at The Camden Crawl at the Jazz Café on Saturday 25^th April. If you miss that then come to our album launch at Corsica Studios on the 8^th May. It is going to be a killer night.

Pete: Yea Check our our album: ‘Man Like Me’, out May 11^th on Our Time Records, and our new live show (getting performed all over the place from next week including The Camden Crawl and MadStock) and of course our new single London Town:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFsMUHIWJQQ

www.myspace.com/manlikeme

COMPETITION

Want to see Man Like Me do their thing?

We have a pair of tickets to their album launch to give away.

To be in with a chance to go win, simply email us your answer to the question below.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CAMDEN MOMENT?

The most creative answer wins the tickets and will be published on the blog.

Competition closes on Wednesday 29th April 2009 so go, go, go!

Email answers to: Abigail@yourlocallondon.com

Local lads

COMPETITION

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