Receiving a shatterproof cult following in 2019 across the Midlands, through their zesty slacker-rock psychedelia, Sancho Panza have gone from strength to strength in and around the city. Now poised for their debut Bodega headline show later this month, we caught up with Jack from the band.
Hey there Sancho! Set the scene for us, where are we finding you today?
Today, I am in sunny Heanor in Derbyshire on my day off. The other chaps are all at work, or in bed. I am on babysitting duties for my niece; it’s not all crazy rock ‘n’ roll! I am watching CBeebies, contemplating leaving the band for a career as a kid’s TV presenter, better money.
Take us back to the beginning, how did the assembly of Sancho Panza first take place?
We formed in mid-2018, so not too long ago. It was all a fairly quick process. I feel like I came in as the final piece of the puzzle, as the rest of the chaps had already been doing a bit of music together as this new project. There were several drummers trialled out and originally I think Cam or Cal were gonna sing. It wasn’t until me and Harry started knocking about with each other that I came into the frame. Within a few practises together we realised we had something of a platform to do this music malarkey, so we began playing a few gigs. Looking back, we’ve come a long way, the first gig we played didn’t even have lyrics, I was just singing about fishcakes.
We had many names before settling on Sancho Panza. Some were ridiculous, for a couple of gigs we were called FIDEL. Daft.
Your headline Bodega show is fast approaching, how excited are you to get out there and what should we expect from the show?
We’re all very stoked for it! We’re gonna blow the roof off I reckon (metaphorically speaking). I think we’re playing the best we’ve played at the minute. We haven’t had any arguments or silliness in the last few gigs, I think those boys are great musicians.
So we’re excited to do our thing on the stage. Expect a few new songs, Mr Jimi Mac on the keys, maybe another Pat Timms tambourine cameo? Maybe we’ll all wear matching shoes or something? Feel like it’s a big’un, so probably will make a huge statement? Maybe I will attempt to eat 30 yoghurts during the set. The kids love gimmicks, aye?
You’ve recently played your biggest gig at Rescue Rooms for Beat the Streets, how was that for you guys?
Ahh it was mega! We’ve all said we thought it was a great gig. It felt good to play to a packed room like that. We play better when there’s lots of people there. Hopefully someone gets us on at the Motorpoint Arena soon. We’re holding out for that Ed Sheeran support slot next time he comes…
It was grand to see everyone looking like they were enjoying it, on and off stage. People were boppin’ their heads, laughing and clapping, what more can you ask for? All for a great cause as well, it was top banana.
Steadily over the last 12 months you’ve kept releasing these killer singles which have been going down a storm with your loyal cult following, how does the creation process usually evolve?
Thanks! I think it differs on each song, some songs have taken a day to write, and it’s come together very naturally. Others take a lot of swapping and changing, everyone has a bit of input. We all individually write stuff, and it is often a case of whether it’s right for this band or not. More often than not, a lot of the songs are written on the keyboard. Then brought to practice, we play them lots until we’re not even sure if we like it anymore. Then record, then release it and then move on. We make music that we ourselves would dig, that’s what it’s all about. It’s cool that people are enjoying it.
And finally, have you got any diva-style demands on your rider that we should be preparing for?
Nothing too grand: maybe a few bottles of Grey Goose, croissants, Orange Juice, a Scalextric, 4 pack of John Smiths and maybe a Go Pro head cam, so we can document it all…
Sancho Panza will be at The Bodega on 28th February, alongside Soft Girls & Boys Club and The Letrasets. Tickets are on sale now here.
