Interview: DADDY LONG LEGS - Debut New Zealand Shows

NYC's DADDY LONG LEGS are heading our way to show us what rock 'n' roll is all about this summer, playing a trio of sure to be hot and sweaty headline dates at Tāmaki Makaurau's Whammy Bar, Leigh Sawmill and Piha RSA in early December. Hailed as "My favorite rompin’ stompin’ New York band of the moment" by the legendary Lenny Kaye, Kit Walker caught up with the band's Brian Hurd (vocals, harmonica, guitar) in Brisbane on the eve of their first NZ visit...

UnderTheRadar and Clean Dirt present...

DADDY LONG LEGS

Thursday 1st December - Whammy Bar, Auckland
Friday 2nd December - Leigh Sawmill, Leigh
Saturday 3rd December - Piha RSA, Piha

Tickets available HERE via UTR

Kit Walker: Welcome down under Daddys...

Brian Hurd: Greetings! We have arrived…

What's taken you so long to get down here???

It’s a long old way from NY to Oz and NZ… We’re happy to be here now though and there's no time like the present!

Brian — your nickname at school was Daddy Long Legs... can you remember who said it first?

This girl I was sharing a lunchroom table with... my legs kept on banging into hers over and over and she finally just said “Damnit, Daddy Long Legs!” and everyone started laughing and it just stuck.

Are any of you scared of spiders? Have you encountered many in Australia?

No, they’re our kinda people. Oh yeah, lots of them.

Looks like Spain (judging from YouTube) was a blast... are Spanish audiences even wilder post-Covid you think?

It always is and yeah, I think there’s even more urgency there coming from the fans and the bands there.

... and I was speaking to a member of the Cavemen in the weekend and he said he recently saw you in UK and you guys were off the hook — as much as I hate referencing Ko Vud — do you think people are getting ignited more by rock and roll than ever — I mean the type you guys peddle... because you're more than just an instagram / youtube experience put together in iso...

I believe so! It can seem somewhat hopeless at times and then you will have a moment of — ah yes — this is it…. This is why we’re here… this is what it’s all about! And those moments make it all worthwhile. And it really is soo worth it for us. To keep on keeping on — because the people need it even it they don’t always realise it. We all need it. It’s the medicine of life!

What do you look for in a really good vintage / thrift store — what are the four best traits?

Affordable — not overpriced. Run by good people with good style. Must have some selection of used vinyl — LPs & 45s. I will even dig through the 78s! Most so called vintage shops these days are just reselling useless, modern trash. A good vintage shop will have an eye for beautiful pieces of clothing, furniture, art… little pieces of history that mean something to somebody.

You were a three piece for so long and now you actually have eight legs... tell me about new addition on the piano... Dangerous Dave Klein...

Well we wrote and recorded a new album while we had time off the road in 2020 / 2021, and our producer Oakley Munson (Nude Party / Black Lips) played piano and organ on a lot of the tracks, and we really liked what it added to the sound. A little later when live shows started up again we wanted to showcase the new material, so we got our good friend Dave The Wave to step in and he’s been a great addition. We boogie even harder these days thanks to him. Keep an eye out for the new album coming in March 2023!

Impressed by your posters in NZ, please tell me what is the correct width the bottom of a gentleman's trousers should be? I'm of the opinion 7 1/2 inches is just right...

Haha! I never measured!

Brian — you wail on that harp like a man possessed — has playing the harp improved your aerobic fitness? Are you the fittest Daddy Long Leg? Who comes second?

I suppose I am possessed — and you have to be to play this kind of music. Our performances do keep me rail thin and all that huffin' and puffin' and luggin' a steel guitar around your neck definitely helps too.

You're playing Piha in West Auckland where it seems the entire population is attending (it's a small village of 1000 people) - are you aware of the baking black sand on a scorching day? Will you surf? Do the Legs get wet??

We honestly cannot wait to experience it! Our gigs are usually hot, sweaty affairs anyway so it should suit us just fine. Daddy don't surf! I’ve always been more of a river rat!

Recently you've got to share stages or studios with Wilko (Johnson of Dr Feelgood) and Wreckless Eric... what's your favourite Wilko moment in history?

Just having pints with Wilko at The Railway Hotel in Southend, UK is about as good as it gets for me.

... and did you ever try to buy a cup of coffee with Eric... wonderful but fussy man — I remember trying to buy a cup of joe with him and small details would prevent him from purchasing a cup of coffee from various places — "Not sure I like the bend in that baristas elbow action" ... " baristas shouldn't wear uniforms " ... " he needs to smile more."

Haha I actually don’t drink coffee but Josh and Murat have definitely all shared in that experience. There’s no one quite like Wreckless.

Brian — you're from St Louis in the Show Me State of Missouri originally — ever get to see one of America's greatest poets Chuck Berry perform? Ever get to eat at any of his restaurants ? What's your Chuck jam this minute??

Oh yeah, my hometown hero! Luckily I saw him in fine form and spent a lot of time at Blueberry Hill -his old haunt in the Delmar Loop. My big sister even worked at the joint for a spell. I have so many favourite tunes of his and they come and go with the times but at this very moment I’ll have to go with 'Downbound Train'.

Talking of food - what do you spidery chaps like to catch in your web... who's the best cook??

Eating is a big deal when we’re on tour. We will eat anything and everything in our path. Styles is half Italian so he knows his way around the kitchen and Murat is a wine Sommelier so we always have good food and drink!

How close to a show do you eat?

Too close to be honest. Spain is famous for this. They love to make you a giant feast 30 minutes before you hit the stage. Sometimes we prefer to have a late night dinner after the show but in certain countries this isn’t always possible and you have eat when you can!

Are you still trying to destroy Rock and Roll??

Well I definitely see the blues as a higher power. See us live and you will witness the past, present and future of rock 'n' roll flashing before your eyes.

Will Daddy Long Legs perform at Daddy Long Legs [record store] in Titirangi??

I don’t know what that is but it sounds cool!