Stickpin's EP cover art
The driving forces behind 'Stickpin' are Katherine Horrex and Alex Ruckledge. They're joined on stage by two other band members Joby Jazz Weasel and Liam Plater. Liam is related to the playwright Alan Plater.Μύ You can hear Katherine and Alex's interview by using the link below. You can also listen to some of their tracks separately.
This is what the band told us about themselves: "Stickpin, who take their name from an extract in 'The Bell Jar', are a relatively new band having formed fully in January 2008. Their songwriter, however, Katherine Horrex (also a mighty fine poet and undergraduate of English Literature) and co-star Alex Ruckledge (a fake fur-coated demi-god currently studying music tech) have been grudgingly playing acoustically since March 2007.
As most bands will tell you, each member has eclectic tastes as far as music is concerned.Μύ These tastes combine to form something that contains elements of Neil Young, The Cranberries, Joy Division, Nirvana, The Pogues, The Krankies and all that used to be good about R.E.M. etcetera etcetera.Μύ They call their style 'Schiz-Pop' on account of much of their songs sounding happy while having incredibly bitter lyrics.
"Ultimately Stickpin wish to provide music for the sorely misrepresented, the bored and the ignored.Μύ They aim to play the kind of songs that they would listen to. They are not indie.Μύ
"Their photo is the cover of their ep, recorded and produced by Dave Elf last summer and featuring session drummer Al Smith.
"Although not claiming to be a painter (she explains she lacks the patience and, admittedly, the skill in this particular arena) 'Lightning Never Strikes Twice', oil on canvas; was painted by Katherine in 2003 after recovering from her experiences in the metaphysical wilderness.Μύ
"It did manage to get into the Ferens Art gallery open exhibition, much to her delight.Μύ She feels this is due to the fact that Humphrey Ocean, the man who painted Larkin and was also heavily involved with Stiff Records/Ian Drury and the Blockheads, was one of the judges, and as such the exhibition that year was more about the spirit and energy of art, rather than technical ability."
Please be aware Stickpin's website contains strong language.
