Countdown to MPF: Toodles and the Hectic Pity Interview

We never need any convincing to book Specialist Subject bands and after an impressive set at the MPF2023 warm up show, it was a no brainer to invite Toodles and the Hectic Pity back for MPF2024. We spoke to Cally Mac not long ago, here is what they had to say.

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

Wordy, heart-extremely-on-sleeve, emo-punk. Like a heavier, fuzzier mountain goats. 

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

Our debut full-length, HOLD ONTO HAPPINESS WITH BOTH HANDS, is our best release by a long way. We’re just so proud to have a ten-track record where we think every song genuinely earned its place and works as a thematic whole. Song-wise, though, my fave has always been Spooky Furniture off our second EP. It was the first song we wrote that was a more sprawling 6+ minutes and I still think it rocks. 

Tell us a secret about your band.

In our pre-record-making days we had a song called “Davey Cameron is a Pie,” a song about how he’s a creep who fucked our country (and a pig). More jokey than a real song that I would want to remain in the Toodles Annals. We were finding our feet back then. Also he was still the Prime Minister when we wrote it lol. 

What was the first gig you ever went to?

First one I went to was Thin Lizzy, though it was of course after Phil Lynnott had died, but I was too young to know this. They still tour I think. Anyway it was awesome anyway. I was wearing a sequined AC/DC t-shirt that I wish I still had.  

Who would be in your supergroup? 

All the members of COSMIT who aren’t already in our band. Toodles & the Cosmit Pity, we’d be called. 

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

Pink wafer 

Oasis or Blur?

Whichever one is from Manchester. 

Just joking, it probs is Oasis to be fair. 

Too much ska or too little ska?

The amount that MPF has booked is the exact right amount of ska.

In all seriousness I’m not really a ska person but people like to act like it’s unpopular (because it’s not “cool”) but it’s pretty damn popular. It’s like the most popular supposedly unpopular genre ever. 

Dogs or Cats

Both, but if I only get one then cats. 

Who’s your favourite superhero?

The answer is, sadly, Batman. I’m aware he’s a rich dude who just goes around beating up poor people. But he’s still the coolest superhero. 

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

I think round ‘ere (Bristol/South Glos) you’d call it a roll or a bap, which is what I’d default to. But after spending some time in Nottingham I’ve gained a serious fondness for the word cob. I’d use it in everyday speech but Bristolians wouldn’t know what I was on about. 

Finally, which bands are you most excited to see at MPF2024

Cheekface is the big one for me. But also Martha, Fresh, Tripsun, The Menstrual Cramps, Erica Freas, Cosmit, Soot Sprite, Regal Cheer, Migraines, Buds. Some others that as of writing haven’t been announced. It’s going to be a busy weekend of stomping around trying to catch people’s sets. 

You can still pick up your MPF2024 tickets here.