Reef’s Gary Stringer says their new album is the best they have ever made

Virgin Radio

10 Feb 2022, 12:20

The frontman joined the Chris Evans Breakfast Show with Sky this morning to talk about Reef’s upcoming album and what it was like to work with Duran Duran’s Andy Taylor.

Formed for the first time in 1993 by Stringer and Jack Bessant, Reef has been together for the best part of 20 years.

It’s a long time to be a part of something, but for lead singer Gary Stringer, it’s as though nothing has changed.

When asked by Chris if playing in the band for a quarter of a century felt the same, the singer responded: “It does.

“I'm so lucky. I'm so lucky to be in a band with great folk, playing rock and then just enjoy myself, and it's lovely to headbang and boogie.”

The frontman was on the Breakfast Show talking about the latest singles to be released from Reef’s upcoming album, Shoot Me Your Ace, which has been produced by Duran Duran’s Andy Taylor.

Talking about what it was like to work with the musician, Gary said: “We had made a record with Andy Taylor, the main man and songwriter of Duran Duran, all those years ago, and I worked on a few songs for his solo album. And then he fancied coming over having a little jam.”

Stringer then went on to say that “little jam” with Andy Taylor ended up becoming Shoot Me Your Ace, which he says is the best they have ever made.

He explained: “We ended up playing, and before we knew, we'd written a record, and it's one of the best records we've ever done.”

Part of this could be down to the fact the band had so much fun when writing the album as Gary revealed it was a “wonderful nine months” they spent in their rehearsal room in Somerset.

He added: “We’ve got this rehearsal space down in Somerset, and it’s our headquarters. That’s where we go to hang out, drink coffee and play music.

“We’ve been there years.”

Reef has been working on this album for the past year, but according to Andy, it didn’t take too long to write.

In fact, it only took them two days.

He explained: “Luke Boland joined the band, and he came in on the Wednesday to our HQ. The first time we've ever played with him, he knocked out six songs. We recorded them, and the next day he comes back and does another six.

“So we demoed the album, but those 12 songs originally two days. Then we took the Friday off and drove up to London, this beautiful city, and went into Baltic Studios thinking we were going to do three or four songs.

“We booked two days in Baltic Studios, and we done the whole record in two days.”

Shoot Me Your Act will be released on 15 April 2022. Singles from the album Right On and Wolfman are out now.

For more great interviews listen to The Chris Evans Breakfast Show with Sky, weekdays from 6:30am on Virgin Radio, or catch up on-demand here.