The great Summer Pops Q&A: The Mission Babies on Bruce Springsteen, Northern Soul and Supergran...

Tell us about your band... Who does what, and how did it all begin for you?

"We are The Mission Babies, Kenny Van Johnston Lead Singer/ Rythmn Guitar, Jay Ryder Lead Guiter, Backing Vox, Billy Lake Bass and Backing Vox, Danny Mcinnes Drums. Kenny and Billy went to school together from the age of 11 and the seed was planted early on for the boys.
"It took a while as Kenny went off to join the Marines and Billy toured and gigged with other Liverpool Bands.
"In the summer of 2006 Kenny and Jay started the Band up with Billy joining not long after and Danny becomming the final piece of the Jigsaw. The Mission Babies have since gone on to play all over the uk attracting some high profile fans and selling out a number of top venues."

What are your influences, what do you sound like?

"The thing with TMB is all members of the band have many different influences from Bruce Springsteen (Kenny), Pink Floyd ( Jay) Everything Motown (Billy) and Cream to Coldplay ( Danny) however we do not imitate our influences we simply each bring something different to the party to create what we like to call Chunky music our as we have been described New Northern Soul."

If your band was a super hero, what would his or her super power be?

"Billy= Hmmm If the Band where a super hero I think we would have to be Banana Man because we are so different off stage to on to it. We just chill and have fun but the minute we get on stage we turn into this big explosion and just go for it. Kenny= Or Supergran!! haha. Danny = Wonder Woman simply because she is hot."

What are you most looking forward to about this year's Summer Pops Festival?

"We love the summer pops because its just another chance for Liverpool to showcase its talent and also its passion for music.
"I mean even though the city and its venues always throw a really good gig for its own act's we also stage some really big names each year and everyone knows Liverpool can throw a party.
"We go away to some places across the UK and its like a different world everyone is so pretentious and trying to be cool but Liverpool has a real community when it comes to music."

What are you least looking forward to about this year's Summer Pops Festival?

"Easy, Rain. hahaah got out of that one!"

What advice would you give to an audience member coming to Liverpool for the first time?

"Audience member coming up for the first time?? hhhmmm Stay away from fellas in Rockport jumpers asking for ten pence to get the bus home, and also leave your inhibitions at the door, you might just have some fun!!"

Other than your own show, what's your hot tip for Liverpool in 2009?

"Errm other than us I think the Bo Weevils are playing 02 Academy 2 on the Saturday and I personally think there a top Liverpool band. They are playing with us at our Headline in 02 13th June. But over all I think looking at the line ups you can't go wrong, no matter who you go and see."

What do you dream of?

"What do we dream of?? This is the part where we spill all our deepest ambitions onto you isn't it?? hha We all want the same thing really the chance to showcase ourselves on a bigger scale and show what we are capable of.
"I mean we aren't one of these bands that only has one sound, all our tracks are a little different but you can still recognise our sound so we'd just like the opportunity to spread the word like. Oh and also get paid a bit more for doing it. hahaha"

The Mission Babies play the Indie Weekender at the Summer Pops festival on July 19, alongside Art Brut, King Creosote, Ben's Brother, Steve Appleton, Cordelier Club, Tramp Attack, The Cubical, Eighth, Glasslights, Day Army, Legends of Flight, Last Gang, Pete Bentham & The Dinner Ladies, Kush, Voo, My Amiga, Monkey Steps.

For details see www.myspace.com/missionbabies -

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