With a new single on the way and Mike Skinner re-launching his Beats record label just to put out their new album we decided it was about time to catch up with our old pals Man Like Me to find out what they’ve been up to and what it’s like to work with the Streets frontman…
We last interviewed you guys back in February 2011, what have you been up to since then?
Johnny: Going to work, watching our relationships fall apart, trying to raise kids, trying to hold on to old friends and writing an album.
You’re back with a new single, Squeeze, how long have you been working on the new material for?
Johnny: Pretty much as soon as we finished the other one back in 2009 but we were just doing little bits here and there. It feels like we just started last week when we realised we had a release date.
Is there an album coming soon, if so what can we expect from it?
Johnny: Yep, September is the release date. Expect something a bit like a Tagine. Slow cooked!
Mike Skinner took on the mixing responsibilities on Squeeze, how did he become involved with working with you guys?
Johnny: He heard the track through our manager and seemed to like it enough to want to then do the whole album. Next thing you know we are releasing it on his label.
Has he been giving you any advise? If so anything you can share with us?
Johnny: Not really. He came across like any old mate, on the level, pretty standard and surprisingly humble.
You performed a few weeks ago at the Beats Records re-launch party, what does it mean to you to be involved with such a legendary label?
Pete: Its great to be involved in a label full stop. But yeah it’s an honour, especially given the stars that have come out of it.
Do you have any other live dates coming up that Londoners can catch you at?
Pete: Our single launch at Dingwalls on 24th May is the main one. We’ve got a couple of stage prop surprises up our sleeves plus support from our pals Nimmo & The Gauntletts.
Lastly, have you ever been able to shake off the ‘guys from the Ikea advert’ association?
Pete: No, it feels like its at its height at the moment. Neither of us watch much TV but you can usually tell when the adverts been on again from the piss take levels from friends and strangers. Just when we thought we were out, they pull us back in.
Squeeze is released on 28th May.
