Earlier this year we got a little insta message to our Yorkshire Coast Gigs page (we love little insta messages) asking us if we were up for helping put together a charity gig (and we love  supporting good causes, too). “Well, we don’t generally do that kinda thing, buuuuuut… yeah, why not?” we replied (or words to that effect). And the weeks have crashed along at pace as we near the date of The Big Charity Shindig as arranged by – Shindig. So it made sense that we finally got around to interviewing the band, who we have followed since their early days.

Having launched onto the world about 3 years ago, Shindig recount, in true Shindig fashion, how their first practice was in an empty swimming pool. As you do. Their first gig was at Scarborough’s Indigo Alley (they also played the utterly mental final gig when Indigo closed for a while). They recorded a number of singles, played up and down the UK and in Europe, and stamped their distinctive mark on the scene, one Cuban-heeled footstep at a time.

Then, as observant followers will know, a line-up change came about in recent months, as original member Brad moved away from the area. We’ll admit, we wondered if that might mean the band might just call it a day; his absence was felt, and things understandably seemed to go a little quiet for a spell. Then, when a Brid on the Map gig was announced with the band, we were certainly intrigued. Was it going to happen? Would they work as a three-piece? We sent a reviewer, par for the course; but we admit, our intigue was even more piqued when we spotted another well-known local musician was in the fray. Enter Bridlington’s own Sproose Moose to the Shindig fold.

For the purposes of this interview, I’ve inveigled my way into a rehearsal. Honestly, it’s awesome to hear bands you adore playing in private, without any other humans getting in the way. Awesome perk of the job for the antisocial socialite. But the real perk here is getting to hear some of the new songs, and to really get a sense for whether this new unit has truly gelled. Also, for any who wonder if the band give it full pelt just for rehearsal – it appears they absolutely do.

So, new stuff, new stuff! Special Kind of Nothing is ripe for your delectation. I am told that Sproose actually wrote it some time ago – they say it’s “a riff I pissed around with years and years ago and it just sat there with a couple of lyrics!”; bringing a solo song to the band has brought it to new life with full lyrics, and it did so, I learn, with a satisfying spontaneity.

By turn, the dynamics of songwriting with Sproose on board have proved positive; for example, Sproose has contributed lyrics to a song Jonny had been writing, Bus Stop*. Some of these new songs are set to debut over the coming weeks – no promises as to when, but tantalising teasers abound. Sproose has brought a “fresh take on Shindig”, says frontman Jonny. “And they can cope with spending hours in the car with us,” adds Eddie, bass player, general wrangler and soon-to-be transport manager.

Soon-to-be, because Eddie and drummer Luke reveal they just made the trip to Wales the day before this interview to pick up not a car, but a van, handy for touring (I suggest they decorate it in true Shindig style, Jonny’s distinctive artwork would look great on a vehicle). Having toured some dates in Europe last summer, a new tour is being programmed at present and they hope to be heading off again in August.

The aforementioned Brid on the Map was Sproose’s debut with the band, and the group have since done another recent stint at the Stirling Castle alongside Sleuth Gang and Moose Knuckle; they’ve also just played Bradford’s 1 in 12 club, Liverpool’s Smithdown festival, and Middlesbrough, with Hull’s Polar Bear on Tuesday 12th May. They’ve even been invited to a punk festival in Benidorm! Eddie explains it’s a terrible month for all these gigs as he has his dissertation due for his degree in Media Communication, though, says Jonny, that degree should certainly be “quite handy”. (Cue Eddie updating the socials in between driving the van… tours are wild…)

* I mean, are you, like us, wondering why our local bands are obsessed with buses?; see also: Graham Watson’s ‘843X93’ and Socket’s ‘Bus’. Well, with all these artists appearing on Saturday’s line-up, you know what they say – you wait for months then three turn up at once… 

Here’s the band rehearsing in the Cask Club.

Come join us for the Big Charity Shindig; the funds raised will be split between three charities, selected collectively by the bands taking part, with a local focus: Whitby Wildlife Sanctuary, Scarborough Survivors and The Rainbow Centre.

Suggested donation of £5 (but no one turned away for lack of funds). You can enjoy a line up including Nils Arnold, Jack Robertson, Socket, Suko, Serial Killer Glasses, Panda Lasagne, Graham Watson, Low Press and, after Shindig’s headline set, DJ PHNKT will take the house vibes into the early hours. Rock and Roll Poet Graham Rhodes will play host. Come raise funds for good things, whilst getting sweaty on the dancefloor. It’s your right and your duty, friends.

Big Charity Shindig, 16th May, The Cask and Keg, Scarborough. 4.30pm til late.

Also catch Shindig and Bizarre Fae supporting Conscious Pilot at The Sesh at The Polar Bear, Hull, Tuesday 12th May