I Know What You Did Last Summer: Hideous Summer Archives - Getdown Services Interview
- HIDEOUS Magazine
- Sep 18
- 5 min read
Words by Angelika May
Ah, comfort — many of us find rewatching old series as soothing as reuniting with an old friend. But how would it feel to get that same innate sense of companionship — like being at the pub with your best friends, laughing, joking, and indulging in a bit of tomfoolery — from a band? Many would say, "Impossible! How could it be so?" Well, Getdown Services, aka "Britain's Best Band," do just that, delivering almost wet-your-pants humour with well-constructed grooves that even Marc Bolan would be seen nodding along to in his grave, God rest his soul.
While the band might have a comical feel — with songs about Jamie bloody Oliver and hunkering down on not one, but nine Wispa Golds — they exemplify the true meaning of self-love: being unapologetically raucous and exuberant on stage.
In the past year, Getdown Services, made up of Josh Law and Ben Sadler, have quickly become one of the UK’s hottest groups. I had the pleasure of speaking to Josh and Ben about their silly antics, confectionery (of course), and how they’ve managed to capture the hearts of young people looking for music that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
How did you go from making music without the intention of performing live to taking the plunge and doing your first gigs?
Ben and Josh - We had released a couple of songs on Spotify and a recorded set filmed in our mate's garden on YouTube, originally thinking we would just keep our music in the digital realm and not play live. However, we were asked to support a night at The Louisiana for Spang Sisters and a band called Kimbo Nice. We didn’t know how we would pull it off live, so we overcompensated by playing instruments on nearly every song. Eventually, we realised that playing as little as possible was way more fun. That said, try to stop Josh from shredding the axe and you’re in dangerous territory. Our second gig was at a mate’s wedding, where we just went hell for leather and took our clothes off — we literally didn’t have anything else to do. After that, there was no going back to playing instruments.
Ben, you’ve mentioned before that you enjoy degrading yourself on stage to help everyone feel at ease. How do you manage to stay so relaxed and playful despite the pressure of performing live?
B- I actually can’t believe I’m about to do this — but anyway, here’s a quote I heard on BBC Radio 1 the other day: "If you’re not embarrassed by it, it’s not embarrassing." When performing, if you can, and if the mood calls for it, it’s your duty to freak out a bit. It’s also really relaxing and calming for me to sweat out any gripes or stresses from the day. As long as we know what we’re doing and know our parts, there’s not much else to worry about—let the laptop do the talking. It’s corny, but having fun and doing a good job are the only things that really matter. Over-analysing and worrying too much can get in the way of both; the pressure is secondary.
How do you balance the more absurd or humorous elements of your music with the more serious or personal moments in your lyrics?
J- I don’t think either of us takes ourselves too seriously in general. Obviously, we have our moments, but even when things get difficult, or we’re trying to voice something serious, the best way to do it is as honestly as possible. Unfortunately for us, that usually means swearing loads and taking the piss a bit. Whether it’s more serious or funny, it all feels like it’s coming from the same place, which is basically always our poor mental health. You just hope you’ve managed to be consistently honest, and that helps everything balance itself out.
In "I Got Views," you describe hunkering down on nine Wispa Golds. If you had to do a brand deal with any confectionery, which one would you choose?
J - I know it’s not a brand, but if I could somehow be the face of egg custard tarts, I’d sign that contract immediately.
Can you explain the creative process behind the stream-of-consciousness and spoken word style in your music and lyrics? Honestly, some of the songs are so funny, I’ve burst out laughing on the tube before. Do you just riff off each other, or are you both secretly trained comedians?
Both - We think, again, it all comes back to being as honest as possible. We write in a way that feels natural and authentic, because the funniest stuff is always the things you hear in conversation or what people casually say. Comedians are the least funny people in the world — when you’re expecting to laugh, you never do. No comedian is as funny as your mates. Sometimes writing lyrics happens spur of the moment, and sometimes it can take months. Either way, it’s always chaotic and messy, because even the idea of writing words still feels new to us.
You’ve referred to your music before as "the soundtrack to our horrible personalities." Do you think your honest approach sets you apart from other bands? A lot of us probably feel like we have horrible personalities at times, but the way you express it feels like you're saying what people are genuinely thinking, even if they aren't always willing to put it out there.
B - Josh and I have known each other for so long, and so well, that we have no choice but to be completely honest with each other. Nothing slips by without being picked up. Sometimes that can be a bit stifling when it comes to trying something new, but generally, we have each other’s backs if we want to explore fresh pastures. Whether that sets us apart from other bands isn’t really for us to say. I think we both carry a massive bitterness that we’re constantly battling and trying to overcome, and bringing it out into the open through song seems to help with that.
Has Jamie Oliver responded to, or is he aware of the song "Get Back Jamie"?
J - Hopefully not, and if he has heard it he’s never reached out, the coward.
There’s a lot in the world to be pissed off about right now, but what’s something that’s brought you a bit of joy recently?
B - Discovering the band Pissed Jeans, playing PS4, being in love with my lady.
J - Alice, our manager, is French, and she’s gotten really into crème eggs, which has been amazing to see. It’s like watching a swan eat a Rustlers burger.
What's next for Getdown Services?
Both - We think it’s time we had some online beef with a major celebrity, or failing that, a controversy where we emerge vindicated and heroic.
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