Known for their roaring guitar shows and emphatic, soaring choruses, Hello Operator are fast becoming the UK’s latest legitimate rock love child.
Their raucous debut “Stephanie” caught the eyes and ears of everyone from Radio 1’s Greg James to the rock superpower that is Frank Carter. Needless to say, it’s been a rollercoaster couple of years for these boys, unleashing a slew of noise, including the blistering “Operator Hour”, “Vex Money”, and the accompanying four-track Love Is a Loan EP to boot.
Now, with a major label contract on the table and a slew of exciting plans in the pipeline, One Stop Record Shop sat down with guitarist/vocalist Pete Greenwood over an e-beer to squeeze in 10 in ten.
If you could choose another band’s song from the last year or so and claim it as yours, what would it be?
Gotta be Kendrick Lamar’s Humble. That whole album is genius from start to finish and it’s an example of how an album should be done.
What’s the most embarrassing thing to happen on stage?
Once eddy literally had to walk off stage mid-set to relieve himself, left us to improv for about 10 minutes…
What’s been your best festival experience as a fan?
Rage Against The Machine at Leeds – everyone was just in awe of what they were seeing, it was biblical.
If you could choose any festival to headline what would it be and why?
Lollapalooza – it’s just the best festival around and we reckon them Americans wouldn’t mind a bit of HO drilled down ’em.
Your musical guilty pleasure?
Too many to admit here! You can’t beat a bit of Tiny Tim to brighten up your day.
Who are your main influences from kids to adults?
As a kid? Michael Jackson was king. Then, once I got my ears around rock, it was Zeppelin. And as I came of age, Josh Homme really stuck out.
Who is the best live act you have seen?
Either Them Crooked Vultures’ secret set at Leeds or Rage Against The Machine.
To date what is the band’s biggest accomplishment?
We’ve been lucky really – signing to Sony ATV, playing alongside Visconti and just having the opportunity to meet your peers.
What’s next for Hello Operator?
Next single release will happen before the end of the year, then we’ve got an album coming out in the New Year, so keep your ears peeled.
Where do you see yourselves in 5 years?
Dead or nearly dead
