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Who are The Cravattes?

Chloe Akers (aka Chloe Cravatte) on guitar and vocals, Louisa Collington on bass and backing vocals, Jake Palmer on drums and, the newest addition, David Marsh on guitar.

We've had a fair few line ups.

Who or what are your greatest influences?

Chloe: The Jam, Guinness, Mark E Smith, Ronnie O'Sullivan
Louisa: The Beatles, Wayne Coyne and my (infamous) Grouse
Dave: The Velvet Underground, Lucky Strikes, sleepy the dormouse
Jake: The Doors, my four cats, one died, the circle of 5ths, and hot girls

Describe your sound?

Paisley mod rock and roll.

What do you make of the music scene in Leicester?

Some quality bands, some rubbish bands. A lot of people really think the world of themselves, you feel like saying to people sometimes look – you're good but you're not the Beatles.

Who are your favourite local artists at the moment and why?

The Puppets, we love them. "Spread the word, not your legs – we want your friendship not your sex"… why is this band not huuuuuuuuuuuge?

And if you have a spare second check out The Daykings, a band from near to Leicester (well, Tamworth) who have a Hammond organ and often wear waistcoats (this appeals especially to Louisa and Chloe).

Do you have day jobs?

We're all proud to be scrounging students, college in the day and then for £££ we have seven jobs between us!

They're not very rock and roll - trolley pushing anyone? Chloe can pull a good pint of bitter though.

We're still looking…any offers?

Worst gig?

Let's just say we don't allow ourselves excessive boozing before gigs nowadays!

Best live venue that you've played or been to?

It sounds boring, but the Sumo is actually a quality little venue – good PA system, free (although out of date) 'Gold of the Incas' beers, and a cosy little VIP room with a (broken) fridge. What more could you ask for?

What's been your most embarrassing music-themed moment?

Turning up to The Shed, fully laden with all of our equipment, started loading it into the doors only to be asked, "What are you doing here?" The promoter had got the date wrong. Cheers Wolfman!

What's your favourite track to perform?

Louisa: 'God Wants to Sign Us to Rough Trade'
Jake: 'Lost/Found', cos its cool.
Dave: 'Lost/Found', took me two hours to record my guitar part but it has a special place in my heart nevertheless.
Chloe: 'Le Roi' definitely, a two chord wonder!

What is your karaoke song of choice?

Chloe: 'Love Shack' (B52s) – I would have had to have had 11 pints though. 'Hurry up and bring your juke box money!'Ìý I hate people who love karaoke.
Louisa: 'Love Shack' with Chloe…
Dave: 'Lovecats' by The Cure
Jake: 'The Hokey Cokey' (always gets people going)

Which person from Leicester do you most admire? Apart from yourselves of course!

Chloe: John Merrick.
Louisa: Adam Chorley.
Dave: David Attenborough, I dressed up as him in primary school.
Jake: Colin Bradford.

Dave: Definitely pork pie although I don't like the jelly.
Louisa: Red Leicester cheese with mango chutney.
Chloe: Suppose it would have to be Red Leicester cheese, Lancashire's better though.
Jake: Red Leicester cheese.

Most romantic gesture you've ever made?

Louisa: Initiating sex in a hot tub…
Chloe: Whilst Dave was in America for a month I broke into his house and decorated his house with ‘Welcome home’ balloons and banners. "Ahhhhh…"
Jake: Asked someone to marry me.
Dave: Took Chloe to Amsterdam's Red Light district. Lovely.

Which one of you gets the most attention from the opposite sex?

Louisa 'the (f)ox' Collington.

Is being based in Leicestershire a help or a hindrance?

Hindrance – sorry!! Still love it though.

Listen to three tracks by The Cravattes...