Finger on the Buzzer Q&A - Sam Ryder: "Practising ‘Somebody To Love’ with Brian May and Roger Taylor was bonkers!"

Where are you now and what are you doing?
We’re in a studio near Gatwick Airport under the flight path. It’s fantastic and I’m in the process of losing my voice! 
 
First record to send a shiver up your spine?
Awh, The Spice Girls’ ‘Mama’. Belter! Absolutely heart-wrenching. 
 
First gig you attended?
Sum 41 at Wembley Arena. I thought it would be the size of the pub down the road, and yeah, I was sort of shocked at the scale. 

 
First gig you played?
It was a battle of the bands. I don’t actually know anyone working in the music industry that EVER won a battle of the bands, which is funny. But yeah, it was at a venue called... Eh, actually I can’t even remember the venue! 
 
Most memorable gig?
Definitely not that one (above)! 

What has been the most ‘pinch me’ moment of your career so far?
This sounds like such a flex, but I’m gonna go for it anyway. Meeting Brian May and Roger Taylor and practising ‘Somebody To Love’ together. It was just bonkers. It’s the coolest thing that I have possession of – I have a little phone recording of us playing it for the first time. 

Most embarrassing thing you’ve done either drunk or sober?
Probably telling you that the first song to send a shiver down my spine was ‘Mama’. 

Sam Ryder.

What shite jobs have you had in the past?
I had a wicked paper round when I was kid. The paper round would only be about five houses, but the distance between the houses was pretty hectic. Rain or shine I was on that bike! 
 
Last record you bought, borrowed, or blagged?
This is very hipster! I was crate digging in Hawaii, and I found some guy’s family playing along to Mozart on vinyl. It’s as terrible as it sounds! 

Who’d be in your dream band line-up?
Well, I’m standing next to the guitarist that’s already in my band, so definitely him. And definitely not, like, Adrian Smith from Iron Maiden or Angus Young from AC/DC. I mean they’re great, they’re wicked. But, Louis. LOUIS! 

Sexiest musician on the planet?
Justin Hawkins. Easy! 

What song would you have played at your funeral?
The Imperial March from Star Wars.
 
• Sam Ryder plays 3Olympia Theatre, Dublin on March 18.