There’s something beautifully unhinged about a band who can turn Christmas into both a disaster and a celebration. Enter THE FEAR - the UK outfit made up of four long-time friends, Benj Ashmead, Mick Satiar, Ad Lucas and Adam Smethurst, who walked away when the dream died, only to return stronger, louder and far more feral than before.
With their new festive single “ Christmas Time - The Best Is Yet To Come” dropping just in time for mulled wine season, we caught up with Mick to talk awful pyjamas, chaotic traditions, and why the holidays in THE FEAR universe involve questionable décor, burnt sausages and crying into a kebab…
What’s a Christmas or holiday tradition from home that always sticks with you, no matter where you are?
My mum still makes me open one present on Christmas Eve… but it’s always pyjamas, as shit as possible. Doesn’t matter if I’m in a Berlin venue or a Holiday Inn in Leeds - the jammies are coming.
Everyone’s Christmas looks different - what does “home at Christmas” look like in THE FEAR universe?
Four grown men uncomfortably close on one sofa (you’ve seen the photo). Red wine stains on the carpet, over-cooked turkey, burnt sausages and Die Hard on the TV. Whiskey opened at 8pm, crying into a kebab by 11pm… proper romantic.
Do you have any chaotic or wholesome Christmas traditions that always stick?
It’s our first Christmas as THE FEAR, but we’re doing Secret Santa (£5 limit). I’ve got Benj a framed photo of that Covid dude with the massive knob wearing a Santa hat. It’s wholesome as fuck.
What’s the weirdest or most unexpected festive item in your home that you absolutely love?
A Santa Claus decoration we’ve had since the 80s. He even makes an appearance in the “Best Is Yet To Come” music video - you’ll know him when you see him.
If your home had to sum you up at Christmas, what would it say?
Dial it down, you noisy, annoying bastard.
When you’re touring over winter, how do you make hotel rooms or the van feel even a tiny bit Christmassy or like home?
Crack open a warm can of Guinness, play WHAM at volume 11… and farts. Lots of farts. Instant Christmas.
What’s the first thing you do when you finally get home for the holidays after being on the road?
Drop the bags, hug my missus, kiss the kids, then immediately get in the shower to finally get clean. Then sleep for about three days straight before getting back into the practice room for the next tour.
If THE FEAR could create the ultimate chaotic Christmas moment for fans while the song plays, what would it look like?
13th December - The Deaf Institute, Manchester. Come and find out. We’ll be playing “Best Is Yet To Come,” Christmas’ new anthem.
WANT MORE FROM THE FEAR?
You can listen to their new Christmas single “Christmas Time - The Best Is Yet To Come” HERE.
To catch THE FEAR live and experience the chaos in person, grab your gig tickets HERE.
Keep up with everything they’re doing, from new releases to tour dates, by following them HERE.
