Words : Darci Jackson
Photos : Izzi Glover
After what feels like the first sun in months, it makes sense that our first feature here on Dizzy Magazine takes us to the outdoor
patio of The Golden Cup in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent where Rocky Ostrich (who put the ‘rock’ in ‘rocky’) sit in a half circle opposite me.
“He told me he doesn’t like lager; he likes fruity ciders!” exclaims guitarist Ashleigh Moore after bassist Lewis Pettitt complains about his drink of choice. Your classic Strongbow Dark Fruit.
The Stoke born and bred four piece are fresh from a sold out co-headline slot at The Sugarmill, the city’s most renowned music venue which has played host to the likes of Coldplay, Arctic Monkeys and Blossoms.
Once we’d finally moved on from the off-topic conversations of Dr Seuss’ Cat in the Hat and drummer Nathan Turner having thin skin and being a registered priest, frontman Liam Pyatt told Dizzy about how the headline went.
“It was a lively one, we had some really good bands on, Gregsoney, Match Fixing who are from Liverpool, Genius Of The Crowd, an amazing band, they’re going to go far.
“It’s a bit to come down from, the next day I was at work pouring pints again. It was definitely something to remember.”
Moore is the most recent member of the quartet, joining in April, and describes that she was surprised by the dynamic.
“Liam and Nathan, they’ve known each other for that long that when you play with them you can really tell that and writing songs as a band feels quite natural to me. Sort of what I’ve always wanted to do really.”
This is the part of the chat where we were interrupted by Robbie Williams. Not literally, it’s just if you’re from Stoke and hear ‘Angels’ playing anywhere, it’s compulsory to sing along.
Following on from Pettitt and Turner’s beautiful rendition of ‘Angels,’ Pettitt goes on to talk about his feelings on the turnouts at gigs.
“Don’t buy a ticket to come and watch a gig and not watch all the bands. If it’s £10 for us, you’re getting four bands for the price of a tenner.
“Come and watch all your bands because then no one’s going to grow if you don’t come and watch them.”
Being so keen to promote the Stoke scene, the band mentioned a few of their current favourites; Mercury, The Intervention and Sideye to name a few. And did we mention Pyatt spoke about Genius Of The Crowd?
Those who can’t wait any longer for new Rocky Ostrich material, my dears please hold out until the end of July as that’s when you’ll be getting your fix.
“Expect a lot of loud noises, it’s a good energetic spin.”
“I think with the song that’s coming out, it really captures the attitude at the moment, especially where we’re from in Stoke,” adds Moore.
“It’s gritty, it’s hard. I really like the lyrics that Liam has written, they’re appropriate for the time. I’d say it’s kind of ‘Fontaines-y,’ Foo Fighters.
“I think this whole interview sums up the band!” finishes Turner. “We’re all chaotic and we all have a laugh and we all have fun.”
Rocky Ostrich will be heading out on a small tour of the UK this summer, as well as headlining The Underground on 30th August. But if you need a taste before then, you can catch them at Captain’s Bar on 13th July.