Features The Bots: Bots On Tour

Let’s get a little reminiscent. Remember life at fifteen? Remember paper rounds and pocket money, GCSEs and acne? Now, imagine what it would be like to be in the throes of your teenage years while on tour, playing alongside the likes of Tenacious D, Refused and Blur…

The Bots are brothers Mikaiah and Anaiah Lei. Between them they boast an average age of just seventeen, but a resumé like no other. Already, they’ve played shows alongside some of the biggest names in music, performing to crowds of up to 6,000 a night. Just the day before we meet, the pair have wowed Hyde Park as part of the closing concert of the London 2012 Olympics.

“It was alright,” says the younger of the pair, Anaiah, when we ask how it went. As we get to grips with his understated reaction, the young drummer glances down at his hand, which is held in a splint. That would probably explain that then. “I bruised my hand,” he explains, “I slipped on some grass, like two days before. I was just running around. It kinda sucks, but it’s better today.”

We’re sat backstage at the HMV Forum in London, ahead of their appearance as main support to Refused; a slot that is no doubt coveted by just about every band on the rock circuit. From the moment of our introduction, there’s animated chatter between everyone, with a genuine sense of excitement in the air. Ironically though, neither of The Bots had any idea who Refused were until they were booked to play.

The crazy thing is, Refused don’t even top the list of ‘insane bands The Bots have supported’. After all, their stint on these dates follows on from playing alongside Britpop heroes Blur. As you do. Surely that must’ve been a little surreal?

“At the Hyde Park show,” starts Micaiah, “we watched from the audience and it occurred to me how big it was. It was a new experience that I had too; looking at where we are now with our music career, and where we’ve already been. It’s wild! You start off listening to these bands and stuff, but I never thought I’d be talking to them, friends with them, and hanging out.”

It really does seem remarkable for a pair who only set foot on UK soil back in May (if you’ve been paying attention, you’ll remember they played our DIY Presents… show with Tellison) but nevertheless, the teens are incredibly likeable. They speak with an eloquence and passion well beyond their years, and it’s refreshing to be in the presence of such true talent-sans-ego.

“It’s really weird because all the people we hang out with now, and know now - all our dreams are coming true. We never ever would have imagined doing this when we graduated high school.”

Which, for Micaiah, only happened two years ago. Having started “jamming together” six years ago, the brothers quickly found their strengths, but weren’t entirely sure how to go about being a band. Until another rather famous duo appeared on their radar with inspiration.

“We didn’t realise that two people could be a band until [we discovered] The White Stripes, and we were like, ‘Hey, we can do this!’ Persistence, determination and whatnot. Passion in music and everything you love to do and care about. Other kids in school didn’t really seem like they were passionate about. Some people don’t have a passion at all.”

That’s a sentiment the pair seem hard to get to grips with (“When you graduate school you realise that everyone you were friends with, really weren’t your friends: more like acquaintances.”), but it continues to push them to achieve more, whilst keeping their feet firmly planted on the ground. And they’re clearly aware of the curse of finding fame young.

“There’s a level headed balance,” says Micaiah. “You don’t want to become a monster - become something else - because of where your career puts you. If I can maintain my personality, the way I carry myself, that’d be nice no matter what happens. I’ll always be this way.” Then, he gestures to his younger brother, laughing: “But his hair and his ego will get bigger.”

So, what’s the next big thing for the duo? As it turns out, they’re going to be doing more touring, with a full UK headline run planned for November, along with a visit to Spain, which Anaiah seems extra excited about.

“We’re there on my birthday, which is cool. I’ll be 16. It’s my sweet 16.”

Yeah, we know.

The Bots will be touring the UK this November.