Interview: Bad Nerves lead vocalist Bobby Nerves

By Neil Shumate, OOTB Publications

While on the road with Sex Pistols feat. Frank Carter, Essex, England speed punk rockers Bad Nerves’ lead vocalist Bobby Nerves took time out for this OOTB Interview to discuss live punk music, touring, his favorite album, next plans for the band.

What is it about the punk rock genre that really gravitates to you, why that over other genres?

It’s the most fun genre to play live, that’s for sure. Metal is way too difficult; you can mess things up with punk and it doesn’t really matter. If anything it adds to it. It’s human. It’s authentic.

Other genres, it’s all a bit too serious. Things have to be perfect. I guess that’s why so many bands use laptops to play half their live instruments, it removes the chances of messing up; but in turn, it removes the humanity of the live performance. Everything ends up sounding the same—lifeless and uninteresting.

What is your all time favorite album—musically and lyrically—and why that album?

Musically, probably Abbey Road. It has so many interesting twists and turns, that record. A whole variety of styles and feelings.

Lyrically, I don’t know, maybe Rodriguez Cold Fact or some of the Bob Dylan stuff.

Your live shows are extraordinary! With current touring and the Sex Pistols’ tour, in four words, how would you describe your live sets for someone who has never seen Bad Nerves live?

Real fast good time.

With all the relentless touring, what gets you through those rough days on the road, what inspires you and motivates you to keep going?

We’ve all worked shitty jobs. We know what years of 9-5 work feels like. Writing and playing your own music is a dream come true. Travelling the world with your friends, there’s nothing else like this. We don’t wanna ever go back. And life is way too short to not chase the things that bring you joy.

With the incredible release of “Network” and more touring, what’s currently in the works and next for the band?

We’re trying to finish our third record between touring. The U.S tour we’re on at the moment is the last gasp of the Still Nervous era.

Next year, we’ll be back with a totally different live set packed with new songs. A lot of these older songs are going to get left behind.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Thanks to anyone reading that has listened to our band or shared our music.

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Bad Nerves’ current tour supporting Sex Pistols—Steve Jones, Paul Cook, Glen Matlock feat. Frank Carter—stops in Ohio this week at Cleveland’s The Agora Thursday, Oct. 1 and Columbus’ Newport Music Hall Sunday, Oct. 4.

Watch “Network”