Kirk says that O’Niell, the primary song writer, brings them written songs “like packets of joy to the rehearsal studio. He springs them on us. And then we open them.” It takes O’Neill (he claims) anywhere between nine minutes and nine days to write his wonderfully anarchic, angular music.
O’Niell’s influences include “loads of blues, loads of jazz, loads of funk. The Chilli Peppers, ‘Sunny’ Paul Williamson, The Meters. My dad used to listen to a lot of Herbie Mann”.
Because of their unusual genre-less style of music, they found it very hard to find a label. So they started their own label, Tall Order – in reference to their height, one would guess. Tall Order now have other artists, that include The Furies and Christa Couture.
Now on tour in Japan supporting the re-release of their first album Small Town, Big Strides after signing a record deal with EMI Japan (they had built up a thriving export 
following there). They are back in the UK on the 14 September to kick off their UK tour in Leeds at the HiFi Club. They will be appearing in Nottingham, Sheffield, Bath, Wolverhampton, Cardiff, Liverpool and of course London among others (for a full list of dates visit Big Strides website).
After having the pleasure of hearing, first hand, their up coming single “Smiling” from their soon to be released album Cry It All Out (out on 25 of September in the UK) I’m going to strongly encourage you to go to their website and listen to “Smiling”.
Or you can also go to Big Strides MySpace space. Where you can also listen to tunes from their pervious album Small Town, Big Strides. And watch the videos for “Lets Get Nice” and my personal favourite “Do Not Fear Jazz”. Only then can you fully appreciate their truly unique sound and eclectic, beat-generation style.
Article comments
1 - M.D. Sandwasher
Excellent article! I liked how you developed a sense of trust and report with the band that most writers/interviewers are unable to attain. I am definitely going to have to check out Big Strides.
2 - A.L. Harper
Thanks Sandwasher. They were very groovy, laid back guys.
3 - M.D. Sandwasher
It sounds like it. They seemed very down to earth.