News Reading & Leeds 2011: Dananananaykroyd

Glasgow noise merchants Dananananaykroyd are set to play in Leeds on Friday and Reading on Sunday. They released their second album, ‘There Is A Way’ via their own Pizza College label back in June. The band’s John Baillie Jnr took time to answer our Reading and Leeds flavoured questions.

How many times have you played the festival before? What’s been your favourite?
Just the once, in 2009 on the NME / Radio 1 stage. It was only a couple of weeks after I snapped my arm in half in Australia. My cast had been off a few days, and I went on stage with a subtle makeshift scarf/armsling. That was also the weekend where we thought it’d be great to play in Paris between Reading and Leeds, which resulted in an all day / all night drive in a van with our driver so tired he was hallucinating that people were jumping in front of the van.

Reading and Leeds is known as a ‘rock’ festival. What’s the least rock ‘n roll thing you’ve ever done - at a festival, or anywhere else?
Duncan told me it was recently in Australia when during a show I went behind the bar and started serving people drinks mid-song. While I gave a few away, I did take money for a can of Red Bull - which is apparently pretty un-rock ‘n roll. But that venue is a business ‘namsayin’?

Do you prepare for a festival appearance any differently from a regular gig?
Not really, although we tend to be in more of a party spirit backstage because festivals are often booked in little clusters of shows instead of long weeks-at-a-time tours, so they feel like little holidays. I’m not sure how apparent that is to the crowds watching us though.

A few rainy festivals this summer have seen artists going on stage in their wellington boots. Is this something you’ve done or would consider?
Not in a million years - they would fly off and brain someone in the crowd!

Who’s been your favourite artist to watch at festivals so far this summer?
I enjoyed SBTRKT at Melt, and The Mars Volta at Splendour in the Grass.

What’s the secret to festival success?
As a band - get to catering as early as possible. As a fan - wet wipes.