COUNTDOWN TO MPF: MILLIE MANDERS & THE SHUTUP INTERVIEW

Millie Manders & The Shutup are an energetic force from London via Norwich. We’re excited to welcome them back to Manchester Punk Fest in 2023. 

Describing themselves and cross-genre punk, Millie Manders & The Shutup utilise some serious pop chops to create catchy tunes to bounce around to. With a clean brass section lending a ska-flavour to their otherwise rockin’ backline, MMATSU can appeal to a huge range of fans. 

We spoke to talented multi-instrumentalist Millie Manders to ask some terribly important questions.

How would you introduce yourselves to a punk fan who’s not heard of you yet?

I always say we are cross-genre punk because of the number of varied influences we have from ska and soul to metal and pop, but I guess that probably confuses people further! We are punk in nature, but we are bouncy and fun.

Which of your songs/releases are you most proud of, and why?

That’s really hard. Poor Man’s Show continues to be important to me, and gets sadly more relevant. Silent Screams was true catharsis and Your Story/Bitter are just really fun songs to sing and perform. I’m not sure proud ever really comes into it when I think about my songs….

Tell us a secret about your band.

I don’t know if I have any! I’m way too open and honest about everything. Probably to my detriment sometimes!

What was the first gig you ever went to?

The first gig I remember was at a festival called Sundance Rock Festival with my Dad, but I don’t remember who played. Just the smell of weed, the people dancing at the front of stages, smiling, and stalls selling weird stuff. I made my Dad buy me an inflatable cowboy hat in bright yellow. The first proper ticket I bought for myself was Reel Big Fish in 2000 for £5 at The John Peel in Kingston. After that, I didn’t stop going to live shows.

What have you got in your pockets right now?

Nothing. I’m a backpack person. Everything is in a specific pocket in my bag.

If you were a biscuit, what would you be and why?

I reckon I’d be one of those broken-biscuit boxes. Don’t know what you’re going to pull out, or whether or not you’re going to like it, but it sure is a biscuit.

Who’s your favourite Dave?

I met a cat called Dave once. He was tiny, had a huge miaow and climbed up onto my back within minutes of meeting him. He was awesome. There was a second cat called Dave too. A Scottish blue shorthair owned by Arvin Bancil, bassist for Popes Of Chillitown. He too was an awesome cat. He knew the sound of the drawer where his brush was kept and would come running to be groomed with a smile on his face. Gorgeous boy. RIP.

Red or blue?

Both. Colour is awesome. Blue for jewellery. Red for clothes. Blue of the sky and a clear sea; red of a mouth or a raw feeling. Colour is everything.

Oasis or Blur?

Would have said Blur many years ago. Not really fussed now. Oasis can get in the bin, though. They literally ripped off kids’ programme theme tunes in the middle of songs. No.

Too much ska or too little ska?

I like ska, but I cannot do a whole ska festival. My brain would melt and I would have to shin the first person to start singing Monkey Man. Moderation, lads.

Help us settle the age-old bread debate. What do you call a roll / cob / bap / barm / batch / muffin / other (specify)?

Roll. Simple times. 

Finally, which bands are you most excited to see at MPF2023?

Death By Stereo, Catbite, Glitchers, Other Half, Comeback Clit, Green Eyed Monster, Death Trails.

Buy your MPF2023 tickets HERE.