About

Allow me to set the scene…

You become an adult, you get that crappy job that you swore would only be temporary. Fast forward and somehow you’re still in that crappy job, getting out of bed is difficult and after months and months of procrastinating you take a chance on something else. Eventually though, you start to figure it out bit by bit. It was against this backdrop in Southsea, England that the Punk Rock band Young Pretorians formed in 2019.

Pete (Vocals & Guitar), James (Guitar), Will (Bass) and Mike (Drums) grew up playing music together in bands across the South Coast. Young Pretorians is the culmination of hundreds of shows, countless songs and the highs and lows of growing up in soulless towns. Call it Punk, call it Rock and Roll, call it guitar music, call it what you will. Let’s not let genre get in the way of a good song now.

You won’t find songs about clubs and frivolous excess; Pete would sooner dissect the apathy and exhaustion of your twenties or the the strain of long distance relationships. These songs are for everyone. From house shows and DIY scene dives to renowned venues, 2020 sees Young Pretorians taking their sermon to the people. It’s said that in life you’ve go to keep moving forward; that’s exactly what Young Pretorians are doing.

Pete

First Musical Instrument: Black Excel Strat Copy, it was awful but it was covered in stickers, which helped

First Album: Not sure on album, first single was Three Lions ’98

Favourite Album: London Calling – The Clash

Guilty Pleasure: Down Under – Men at Work

Favourite Book: 1984 – George Orwell

Favourite Film: High Fidelity

James

First Musical Instrument: Westfield Strat copy from Kimber’s music shop in Fareham (RIP). Natural finish. It was shit

First Album: Offspring – Americana. Though officially it was actually Travis – The Man Who…

Favourite Album: Tough call… Green Day – Nimrod Maybe? Alkaline Trio – Good Mourning is up there and The Living End – Modern Artillery.

Guilty Pleasure: Anything by Robbie Williams

Favourite Book: Magician – Raymond E Fiest

Favourite Film: Good Will Hunting

WILL

First Musical Instrument: A ‘Jim Deacon’ Stratocaster copy. Bought by my parents from a shop in Winchester, also closed down. Initially decorated in Total Guitar stickers, mercifully stripped and refinished by Bobby Day of Misgivings.

First Album: First CD bought specifically for me was hopefully Oasis’s ‘(What’s the Story) Morning Glory’ when it came out. Of course, the beginning of a lifelong love for new and current music.

Favourite Album: XTC – Black Sea, Richard & Linda Thompson – I Want To See the Bright Lights Tonight, Robert Pollard & Doug Gillard – Speak Kindly Of Your Volunteer Fire Department

Guilty Pleasure: Status Quo

Favourite Book: This Little Ziggy by Martin Newell or Brave New World by Aldous Huxley/Mauricio Pochettino

Favourite Film: The Last Detail

Mike

First Musical Instrument: A red Yamaha Pacifica 112 bought from Guitar World in East Street, Southampton – Also closed down… Replaced the bridge pickup with a Seymour Duncan Invader. Still have it to this day!

First Album: First albums were Linkin Park – Hybrid Theory & Blink 182 – Take Off Your Pants and Jacket. Albums that I definitely stand by today!

Favourite Album: I can narrow it down to three… Jimmy Eat World – Futures, Blink 182 – Self Titled, Alkaline Trio – Remains

Guilty Pleasure: SOME electronic music! Sub Focus / Chase and Status / Aphex Twin to name a few artists…

Favourite Film: Whiplash – what a film!