They like the Beach Boys and holidaying in the South of France with the family, last threw up due to a bad carbonara and one of them used to be a postman. Oh, and their favourite drink is a nice cup of tea. You don’t get much more rock 'n roll than that.

New Liverpool indie band The Steeples are quickly rocketing to the top, with their new single Britney’s Tears already getting major interest – it’s already been XFM’s single of the week. They’ve also already played Oxjam events alongside the likes of The Bluetones, The Wedding Present, The Thrills and Rumblestrips, and they’ve only been together for 18 months! We spoke to vocalist Andy Culshaw and guitar player Dan Rankin.

Andy: Me and Dan started writing songs together about 18 months ago and it became pretty productive quite quickly, before long we'd written about 10 songs and we picked up the other boys along the way and started gigging.

Danny: Yeah, we spotted Alex [the drummer] playing with another band but they were bad so we stole him and he was mates with Hutchy and got him on board.

How would you describe your style?

Andy: I think indie pop covers it, very contemporary sounding. We just try to write good tunes. We've got influences from like the Beach Boys and The Kinks, so quite melodic happy feel-good tunes.

What was the best ever gig you have played to date?

Danny: I think the first gig we did together was one of my favourites cos it was in our home town and it was a great atmosphere. Scottish gigs are always a treat too cos they go nuts up there.

Andy: Yeah Glasgow, The Capitol bar, because they love getting involved and having a good night in there.

What was your best gig or band that you have seen as a gig-goer?

Andy: Mine was the first ever gig I went to, it was Marrillion at Manchester academy and it was the first time I'd ever seen a band live. I was only 15 and I just loved live music from then on.

Danny: I'm a fan of the Bluetones. The first time I saw them was at Liverpool Barfly a few years ago and it was wicked. That or Ocean Colour Scene late last year was amazing. Steve Cradock is a big hero of mine, great guitarist.

What are currently your favourite bands?

Andy: We're quite into the View right now, they write great melodies. I really like this band called Thomas Tantrum, the girl’s got an amazing voice.

Danny: Dundee's a good place for music right now, there's band called The Law who are fantastic, so much energy live.

Tell us something you think people won’t know about you?

Andy: I used to be a postman!

Danny: Andy thinks he's an absolute tactical genius at footy.

Andy: Yeah, I'm a proper geek really, I'm into history and theology and stuff like that.

Who is your all time favourite act?

Danny: There's too many good acts really.

Andy: Bob Dylan

Danny: Well I think there are. Maybe OCS?

Are there any acts you love to hate?

Danny: Klaxons. How the hell can they win a mercury music prize? I'm not saying we should but they don't write very good songs.

Andy: The Osmonds, purely cos my mum played them through my entire childhood, if I hear puppy love one more time I'll scream!

What was your first job?

Danny: I worked on a market stall with this fella from Bolton selling towels and bed linen.

Andy: Working behind the bar in a local shit-hole pub.

When was the last time you threw up?

Andy: New Years Eve, I was ill.

Danny: No, you had a cold and sulked all night. I got food poisoning the other night. Carbonara, not good!

What's your pre-gig drink of choice?

Andy: Gin and juice, tea if my throat’s sore.

Danny: Yeah we drink a lot of tea. Nothing like a good brew.

Do you do the whole groupie love thing?

Danny: Andy thinks he does.

Andy: No, we leave that to the drummer. He's got no standards, he'll take anything!

Which other celebrity would you like to be trapped in a lift with?

Andy: Hutchy from the Steeples, I quite like him!

Danny: Yeah yeah he's fit.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Andy: Hopefully happy.

Danny: Hopefully successful! Be nice to still be in a band although it’s a fickle business isn't it?

Where was your most enjoyable holiday?

Andy: Benidorm with my mates a few years back, it’s like Blackpool in the sun which is horrible, but I had the time of my life.

Danny: The South of France is nice, I went there with family a few years back, had a good laugh.

Who did you last share your bed with?

Andy: Dan Brown

Danny: Tori. Check the album

Visit www.myspace.com/thesteeplesmusic

Gig Dates:

12 Jan 2008 - The Attic, Accrington

24 Jan 2008 - Stone Roses Bar, York

25 Jan 2008 - Vines Sowerby Bridge, Nr Halifax

30 Jan 2008 - Hoxton Square Bar London,

1 Feb 2008 - Halstead Rox, Colchester

2 Feb 2008 - Queen Charlotte, Norwich

7 Feb 2008 - Cellar Bar w/ Hi-5-Alive, Edinburgh

8 Feb 2008 - Capitol w/ Hi-5-Alive, Glasgow

9 Feb 2008 - Arctic Bar w/ Hi-5-Alive, Dundee

22 Feb 2008 - The Orange Box, Yeovil

28 Feb 2008 - Barrow Nines w/ Hi-5-Alive, Barrow

29 Feb 2008 - Rockbar w/ Hi-5-Alive, Doncaster

1 Mar 2008 - Liverpool w Hi-5 Alive TBC, Liverpool