Wurzels interview November 2008
Q: How did the idea come about in 1976 for the song one for the Bristol city?
Pete Budd :We already had success with the song ' Morning Glory ',it seemed obvious that it would make a great football song hence One For The Bristol City.
Tommy Banner:I had been a Season Ticket holder since I started watching City in 1968, and the idea came about when we were in Abbey Road Studios recording Morning Glory, the original song to which we wrote the words for the City version.
Q: I once read on a website that Adge was not City fans. Surely this terrible allegation is not true?
Tommy Banner: He wasn't really a football fan, but most certainly was a City fan. He even came with me to Hereford to watch them in the FA Cup one year.
Pete Budd : As far as I know Adge had little interest in any sport
Q: Seeing that Wurzels songs have been adopted by Bristol city fans for years what reception do you get when playing gigs in the blue area of Bristol?
Pete Budd : When playing the ' Blue Area ',we omit Morning Glory ( re One For The Bristol City ) out of respect.
Tommy Banner: Believe it or not, we have many "Gashead fans".
Q: "Drink up thy zider" has been the theme tune for many a Bristol city fan and in the modern Eastenders era "I am a cider drinker". What are your thoughts on that?
Pete Budd: It's obvious that there are a lot of City fans that love cider.
Tommy Baner: It is fantastic and sends a shiver up the spine when we appear down the ground and hear you all singing it. In fact when you are all singing we can not hear the music track playing. Brilliant!!
Q: Is there any chance you could record a version of ''Yellow Submarine'' but sing Johnson said "bounce around the ground" [ the tune is very popular!!] or a remix of "Drink up Thy Cider" with the famous "Goin down the Rovers" line ? Maybe proceeds going to charity. How about a remake of "I am A Cider Drinker" with the lads in the East End singing the chorus?
Tommy Banner: Maybe proceeds going to charity. How about a remake of "I am A Cider Drinker" with the lads in the East End singing the chorus? What do they say: Never say never.
Pete Budd : Never thought about it.
Q: Do the Wurzels ever wish they had written a song about someone called Irene?
Pete Budd : Not really,it's already been done.
Tommy Banner: Not really.
Q; How much cider was consumed before hitting on the "Wurple -Diddle-I-Do" song?
Pete Budd : A lorry load.
Tommy Banner: Too much, because I can't remember.
Q: How did the gig at Bar BS3 in August go?
Pete Budd : Fantastic….great crowd.
Tommy Banner: As usual with Rob and Sarah--absolutely magic. They know how to organise a rave.
Q: How was it finally getting to play at Glastonbury this year after the problems last year ?
Pete Budd : A dream come true and the best gig ever.
Tommy Banner: Best show ever--we couldn't believe our eyes and ears when we walked out on stage, saw the size of the crowd and the volume of the noise they were making.
Q: Would the Wurzels have been so popular if Tommy had launched the act in his home town (Edinburgh) ?
Pete Budd : No,it's a West Country thing.
Tommy Banner: Chance would have been a fine thing. We have played in Edinburgh only once, but I would love to have another bash there.
Q; Is the banjo due a comeback?
Tommy Banner: I think only Pete can answer that.
Pete Budd : Who knows what's around the corner.
Q: Who decided cords, white shirt, dark waistcoat and red hanky tied round the throat = yokel?
Pete Budd : Adge
Tommy Banner: All Adge's idea, way back in 1966.
Q: Do you prefer it now that they enjoy a strong local following to the days when you were earning more money with a shallow short-lived period of national success?
Pete Budd : Have always enjoyed being a Wurzel.
Tommy Banner: Who says we earned more money? We still have a big National following, but not anywhere near as big or good as in the West Country.
Q: Adding ice to pseudo ciders like Strongbow and Magners is popular in some non Wurzel circles. What do you think of this practice? Should ducking stools be reintroduced?
Tommy Banner: Most Definitely! Sacrilege toput ice in any cider, but the two you mentioned are not the real thing.
Pete Budd : Great Fun.
