The Ringards

Name, where are you from?
We’re The Ringards (means out of fashion in French). We’re based in London but originally from all over the place.
Enzo was born in France but grew up in LA, Fred is from Preston, Gary hails from Northern Ireland, and Joe from Winchester.

What do you do?
Zo sings and strums rhythm, Freddie plays lead and is the production fairy of the band, Gaz is on bass, Joe bangs the drums and flirts with electronics from time to time.

Describe your style in three words?
Poorly ironed shirt...

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
E: The Libertines at Hyde Park. It's quite something when 'Horror Show' comes on loud and proud, grabs you from the get-go.
F: The Chemical Brothers at Glastonbury.
J: The Prodigy at Isle of Wight, mad vibes when 'Nasty' came on.
G: I’d have to go with The Libertines as well, caught them in Dublin, 'What Became Of The Likely Lads' played and it quickly became a sweaty ripped shirt kind of evening.

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
E: Probably Fat White Family and Pulp. I hear a lot of us in them. Serendipity will play its role.
J: Miles Davis and Sticky Fingers, I adore both.

Which subculture defines you?
I’d say the Punk subculture, which is oh so relevant today as we’re all referencing that past, that youth in revolt and anger within...
And as in all times of uncertainty, we’re clinging to our humble and holistic observations in search of others, and from all that anger and isolation comes a certain unification bound by a shared feeling. Punk is a gentle kiss.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
E: Probably an attempt to guilt-trip Jesus... In all seriousness and without much thought to it, Mac DeMarco, the cowboy seems like the “bon vivant” we all aspire to be.
G: Jimi Hendrix seemed like a cool cat.
J: Max Roach was such an amazing jazz musician, would love to spend some time with him learning his intricate ways of playing.
F: I feel like Tarantino would give out the most in an hour.

Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
We recently played this intimate family-run festival on a beach in the south of France. That was a change of scenery.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
E: Gustave Courbet was pretty badass.
J: George from Yellow Days, he’s constantly bringing out such soulful music. ‘Nothing's Going To Keep Me Down’ is a song I can’t get enough of.

Catch The Ringards performing at The Waiting Room, London on 14th January 2020.