Paul McCaffrey, 52, is an award-winning (Latitude New Act of the 12 months, London Paper New Act of the 12 months) humorist.
A star of BBC1’s Reside on the Apollo, BBC3’s Impractical Jokers and Russell Howard’s Good Information, he’s fronted numerous podcasts together with the music collection Britpopcast and What’s Upset You Now?, the place he and fellow comic Seann Walsh “let off steam and put the world to rights”.
What was the primary band you have been actually into?
My first favorite band was Frankie Goes To Hollywood. I purchased all the singles from Welcome To The Pleasuredome, with the unbelievable art work. Duran Duran too – they have been my first forays into pop. Then I actually favored The Surprise Stuff. They have been the primary band I ever noticed on the Groovers On Maneuvers tour.
What are a few of your favorite albums?
It’s arduous, however probably The Queen Is Lifeless, that’s an ideal album. I’ve most likely listened to Screamadelica greater than another report, that’s an enormous album for me, in that it launched me to Andrew Weatherall, who I’m fully obsessive about. There’s not a lot of his output that I don’t have – productions, remixes, his numerous totally different bands and stuff like that.
Are there any artists you’re completist about?
Andrew Weatherall is the one I’m most completist about. You form of assume he’s your secret, however when he died in 2020 I found there have been a number of different followers. If persons are into him, they’re actually into him. I wouldn’t even name it a cult following, it’s larger than that.
Aside from Andrew Weatherall, is there any artist you understand sufficient about to have as your specialist topic on Mastermind?
In all probability Oasis or Primal Scream. I’ve a bizarre relationship with Oasis as a result of it was so large to me at the moment, however I don’t actually hearken to them that always now. It was form of extra about a spot in time, actually. I don’t even know what number of occasions I noticed them reside, possibly 30 occasions…
Do you continue to hearken to Primal Scream now?
I’ve listened to Screamadelica within the final week. That may be my favorite of their albums, adopted by Vanishing Level and XTRMNTR, which they’re truly doing on the Roundhouse in December, so I’m going to that!
Have you ever ever met Bobby Gillespie or both of the Gallaghers?
I used to be within the Oasis video for Lyla, so I used to be at shut quarters with Noel and Liam all day. I took my CD of (What’s The Story) Morning Glory, which they each signed. What I want I’d finished was nick Liam’s tambourine as a result of I may have fairly simply finished that. He appeared very nice, truly. Within the transient second that I had with him, he appeared like a really heat individual. I do want I’d spoken to Weatherall. I had the chance to do this a number of occasions. We do a number of music festivals as comics, and there was one time he was stood subsequent to me whereas we have been ready for our golf buggies to take us right down to wherever and I simply ought to have spoken to him! I don’t know what I might have stated. I dunno, I’d virtually have been embarrassed about how a lot I find out about him – it could have felt bizarre.
What would you say was your favorite reside expertise?
I feel the perfect factor I ever noticed was Paul McCartney at Glastonbury, the primary time he did it. It was unbelievable. He was nonetheless on the peak of his powers at the moment. The one that actually acquired me was Right here As we speak [off 1982’s Tug Of War], the track he wrote about John Lennon. That was the perfect gig I’ve ever been to, I don’t assume that’ll ever be overwhelmed for me.
Have you ever ever met any of your different musical heroes?
I used to be an enormous fan of The Libertines and I used to be doing a little gigs in Birmingham and so they have been doing three nights on the O2 Academy. John Hassell, their bassist, and Pete Doherty turned up at this gig of mine and it went effectively. The next morning I ran into Pete and he was gushing about it and stated, “Would you be up for doing a little bit of our gig tonight?” That they had spoken phrase and acoustics acts on so once I walked in, it was fairly a delicate type of factor. They advised me there can be a break, after which I’d go on and do 10 minutes after which simply deliver them on.
By then, it had stuffed up a bit, and the environment had modified – there have been plastic pint glasses flying round and soccer chants. So I stroll on, and an enormous cheer goes up, I feel they only assume that somebody goes to return on and go, “Women and gents, please welcome The Libertines!” So I’m like, “The boys have requested me to return out and do 10 minutes of arise.” Now, I don’t know if you happen to’ve ever been booed at by 3,000 folks earlier than, however it type of sharpens the senses! Then John got here out and went, “Oh, he’s good, present him a little bit of respect!” and I’m like, “That’s not serving to!” It appears like my mum’s come out and advised everybody to cease selecting on me. However I ended up turning into fairly pleasant with them. Very good boys.
How good are you with up to date pop? Do you retain up with stuff?
I’ve a passing curiosity, however I form of really feel like I’m fairly locked in now. Now and again one thing comes alongside, like Fats White Household, I actually like them, and there’ll be the odd band, I don’t thoughts Fontaines DC.
How do you hearken to music, on vinyl or by way of streaming?
I favor vinyl. Correctly listening to an album, I’m making an attempt to return to that slightly than simply leaping round like everybody does. I’d slightly simply stick an album on and hearken to it the entire approach by way of!
Paul McCaffrey is on tour with What A Time To Be Alive from February by way of to Might 2026. Discover out extra right here.
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