Bad Nerves - Interview with Bobby Nerves
If you haven’t heard of Bad Nerves yet, it’s only a matter of time. The UK punk five-piece, fronted by the electric and unfiltered Bobby Nerves, is barreling full-speed into their upcoming U.S. tour — and taking no prisoners along the way. Known for their high energy live shows and breakneck pace, Bad Nerves are quickly becoming one of the most talked-about bands in modern punk. I caught up with Bobby before the chaos to talk about what fans can expect on the road, the sounds and scenes that shaped him, and the advice he has for younger artists trying to make noise in an oversaturated world.
ON HEADLINING A U.S. TOUR
You just wrapped up your Europe and UK tour and are now headlining in the US. How does it feel to reach that milestone?
“Because it feels crazy to be honest...”
Bobby dives into what a huge deal this tour feels like — especially coming from the UK, where making it to the U.S. stage can feel like a pipe dream. There’s gratitude in his voice, and a humble awareness that music isn’t always a stable career. But for now, they’re embracing the moment fully.
“It feels crazy to be honest you know, to be headlining in America. I mean you can probably imagine that's quite a crazy thing for a band from England. I feel like bands in England, you know, to go to America is something that just ain’t gonna happen. For it to actually be happening and now as you say going back to be headlining it’s kind of unbelievable really! I’m just trying to enjoy it whilst I can you know. It’s not very stable career choice so it feels like you never know when it’s just gonna end. It’s great though, I think we’re all chaffed that we made it over to America, it’s awesome.”
TOURING WITH SPIRITUAL CRAMP
Spiritual Cramp is such an impressive band as well — what are your thoughts on them and are you excited to tour together?
“I think they’re great...”
Bobby speaks highly of Spiritual Cramp, calling them hardworking and cut from the same cloth as Bad Nerves. He appreciates bands that focus on being good at what they do without falling into the stereotypical ‘rock n roll’ traps, though he admits they’ve been there, done that. He even shares a funny moment of misnaming one of their songs during an interview with the band sitting right next to him.
“I think they’re great. I mean we’ve just saw the Brixton Academy in London the other day - did a little bit of promo for the tour. We made some ads saying where we’re playing, they’re nice guys, you know, they really have the same kind of like work ethic as we do which is good. We (Bad Nerves) just want to be a good band, and we were, and we will, and we want to be good people you know? we don’t want to mess around with any of the ******** of the usual rock n roll lifestyle ‘if you will. Not to say that we haven’t done that before, we did mess around, but you can't really sustain that kind of thing. They’re great live band they got some really cracking songs! I got the name of that song wrong the other day when we were talking about it in an interview with them sitting next to me. It was very embarrassing because it’s a great song, I love that song! and there’s another song they’ve got which I think is their most popular called ‘Talking on The Internet’. That is a cool song. It’s going to be a cool lineup because we’ll be playing similar stuff too. Our fans are going to be exhausted in the crowd.”
CITIES THEY’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO
Are there any specific cities you’re excited to visit here in the US?
“You know what someone asked me the other day, I’m excited to go to Texas...”
Texas stands out to Bobby — not just for the gigs that got canceled last time around, but for its musical heritage. He brings up Radioactivity as a favorite and recalls they’re from near Center. (Or as he charmingly guesses.)
“You know what someone asked me the other day, I’m excited to go to Texas. I mean I know it’s not a city, it’s a state, but right I can’t remember actually where it is we’re playing but we had a few gigs there that got cancelled last time around. Also, a lot of our favorite bands are from in Texas somewhere, so like Radioactivity and stuff like that. They’re from Center I think, or somewhere near Center but yes so, it’s gonna be cool to play there I think that’s gonna be a good gig.
VAN VS. BUS TOURING
Do you usually have a lot of time to explore and sightsee or are you pretty much hopping from one state to another?
“It depends. When you’re in a van…”
Bobby contrasts the grind of van touring with the slightly elevated (though not necessarily luxurious) experience of touring by bus. Now that they’re traveling overnight with a driver, there’s more opportunity to explore — and as the singer, he gets a bit more free time to walk around before soundcheck.
“It depends. When you’re in a van, which we were last time, we toured in America we didn’t have any time because we had to drive all day but this time we’re goanna be in a bus which was, you know, certainly the dream when I was younger. The reality isn’t quite as comfortable as you would think it is. (on the bus) Somebody drives you basically through the night so we’re gonna have a lot more time to explore places. I did try to explore stuff regardless, you know, because I’m a singer, I don’t really have to set up much stuff which is fantastic! I kind of walk around a bit before sound check sort of thing. So, the answer is, no, but this time it should be different with the bus. I mean you don’t sleep very well because of the bloody drive. I’m quite excited about that it’s gonna be cool to travel America on a bus.”
THE ENERGY OF BAD NERVES’ LIVE SHOWS
What do you hope fans take away from your live shows? Is there a specific vibe you like to portray when you perform?
“You want to show your authentic self...”
For Bobby, authenticity and fun are at the heart of every performance. Gone are the days of trying to act “cool.” These days, he smiles through the entire set — unless he’s ill — and talks about the energy of a live show, where anything can go wrong, is exactly what makes it feel alive.
“You want to show your authentic and want to show that you’re having fun. When we were younger, we thought we had to act really cool, whatever that means. I don’t know what that means anymore we’ve changed a bit now we want to have fun. we want to make sure people in the crowd are having fun and it’s, you know, I guess it’s just the energy of the live show is what it’s all about really. You know live, these studio recordings are great as well, but that live- that live thing where you could mess up at any moment and everything’s just a bit crazy that’s kind of what it’s all about really I think. I mean I pretty much end up smiling the whole way through our sets these days, to a point where my mouth hurts from smiling, that’s genuinely how I feel, you know. Well, most of the time anyway unless I’m like ill or something that was tough but you know it’s really good fun. it’s a bit scary sometimes but it’s also just when you’re playing the songs it’s so yeah it’s just so much fun. We all love music don’t we, it’s like you’re just jumping around to music with people.”
STAGE NERVES & VOCAL WORK
Do you ever go through phases where you’re nervous on stage?
“I get nervous for like...”
Big gigs still bring on nerves — especially when they’re headlining and the pressure’s on to deliver. Bobby talks candidly about the fear of not singing well and the effort he puts into maintaining his voice for the high-energy sets.
“I get nervous for like you know when we did the London gig the other month that was quite nerve wracking because it’s a big gig. It’s not even it’s nowhere near the biggest gig we’ve done but it’s the biggest gig we’ve done that’s our gig you know. Most of our fans were there so those ones are a bit scary because there’s a room for the people who know the songs. There’s nothing worse than when you come away from a gig (with people saying) “ohh the singer couldn’t sing” That’s, like, a terrifying thought you know. We always get a little bit nervous for any show just but only a little bit it’s like healthy nerves. I want to sing well so it’s like I’m constantly trying to keep my voice in a state that I can sing an hour long set of like, really high singing, it can be quite nerve wracking sometimes.”
He shares that singing lessons have been a game-changer, even two years in — and in fact, he had another one coming up the day after our interview.
It’s impressive what you can do with your voice!
“Cheers! yeah, I’ve started having singing lessons not long ago, ohh, what, about two years ago? and that that really helps. I’m still not perfect, funny enough, I’ve booked a singing lesson today, so I’ve got my singing lesson tomorrow.”
FAN CONNECTIONS & THE DISCORD COMMUNITY
What is the most unforgettable or emotional fan interaction you’ve had during any tour?
“Well, they’re all kind of emotional...”
Bobby reflects on the emotional weight of meeting fans who genuinely love the music. He brings up their Discord community and how meaningful it’s been to connect with regular show-goers — people who’ve become part of the Bad Nerves family.
“Well, they’re all kind of emotional to a degree because it’s because it’s such a pleasure to meet people who love the music. We’re just music fans the same as everybody, you know. There probably is a specific one I can’t think of it right now, but there’s plenty. A lot of the people come to the gigs regularly, to see them there all the time you’d almost think it’s that they become emotionally involved in the band and we become emotionally involved in their involvement, you know? There’s a lot of people on the discord who have been there who’ve been to so so many shows now and it’s like, the electric ballroom- to see so many people there from the online community and people that I have met who had come to those other shows, like you, that’s emotional because it’s like it’s not just the band, it’s like these people are part of it you know. It’s an amazing thing, and it’s an amazing feeling. I’m very grateful to have their support you know. Because we did this a long time it’s been, I mean, I’ve been in bands since I was seventeen so that’s quite some time, technically it’s been going for ten years but we’ve only been playing for like maybe eight. We didn’t ever have any like people who were who liked the band enough to come to more than one show we never had that for years so now that we’ve got this community that we started you know the Discord thing and all that stuff which I only started because people on Twitch told me to. I’m glad I did because it enabled us to get closer and to get to know people.”
It’s a lot of fun. You created a very nice community for us all to relate through music.
“You know, I think that’s something we miss on Instagram...”
Social media can feel isolating, but Bobby sees platforms like Discord as real spaces for connection, especially for younger fans trying to figure out the world. He jokes about the responsibility of “being in charge,” but is clearly grateful.
“I think it’s definitely something that we miss on Instagram. I think for teenagers particularly trying to figure out the world, it’s hard to find like people not at school. there’s not necessarily loads of people you connect to it you sort of lumped in with a load of randomness. It’s quite a surreal experience; it can be a good or a bad experience really but to have these kind of online communities I think it’s great for everyone but especially great for youngsters. I never had anything like that when I was like in school. We had like Myspace, remember Myspace?”
Yes, I do.
“But Myspace was just like the same as Facebook really it didn’t really feel like community because you’re not united under a common interest I suppose. It’s a bit weird though being like in charge of it because it’s sort of, you know, there’s a thing of trying to make sure everybody’s nice and you’ll see how that can be kind of difficult sometimes but so far *knocking on wood* OK!”
THE NEXT ALBUM
You mentioned releasing a new album later this year or next year—
“Did I…”
Classic Bobby — quick to joke and second guess, but then affirms: If it’s done, it’ll come out
next year.
Did you? I thought you mentioned it in the radio show a while ago.
“I’m talking to a computer screen though so I might have just made that up... no I didn’t make it up, I don’t think it’ll be this year it’ll probably, if it’s done, it’ll come out next year.”
Well, I am excited for whenever that does come out next year!
“Me too. I’ve I have been writing some stuff I’ve been writing loads every day, but I was just still so exhausted from the tour that I had to stop basically because it was too much, I’m not very good at resting you know? I like to just do stuff all the time and I’m kind of mad like that. I’m kind of a mad person to be around because I always just, you know, I like making things. I like what I like to do. It is my form of relaxing.”
How do you think your band’s sound has possibly changed and will continue to change as it goes into the album you’re working on?
“Still Nervous is interesting because...”
Bobby unpacks how the second album “Still Nervous” was much more intentional compared to their debut. He wrote most of it alone and took more risks with structure and song length. Looking forward, he’s not sure what the next album will sound like yet — but he’s still writing often.
“Still Nervous is interesting, because I wrote it pretty much all on my own apart from Plastic Rebel which me and Will wrote. That was a song that me and will had kicking around from years ago that never got finished, but on this one I wasn’t able wing it like I did the first record. We didn’t know what we were doing, you know? In terms of we didn’t know what the band sounded like. We had a rough idea of what we want to sound like, we wanted to rip off Radioactivity, but with this second album, I sort of like, I’ve got room to experiment and try going places that we would probably not have done on the first record. All the songs on the first album were relatively fast short whereas in Still Nervous branches off in the different places. I’m not really sure what the new album will sound like, I’m still goanna do stuff on my own because when I’m on my own is when I can really explore. I’m the main songwriter it’s like I kind of have a more of a clear idea of where I want things to go than anybody else does, because like it’s hard like for example. Will is the guitarist and he can write little songs and stuff like that, but if you’re not a singer until you put vocals in something. It’s like you have no like guide of where it’s going to go or what it’s gonna sound like. I can’t imagine trying to write a song but not writing vocals because you’d always be trying to fill the hole where vocals would go. I’m imagining and trying out vocals as I go.”
ADVICE FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS
What advice would you tell younger musicians based on your own experience?
“Play drums...”
Bobby’s biggest tip? Learn drums. especially if you want to write songs. Real drums, even recorded on an iPhone, give demos a human feel that computer beats can’t replicate. He also shares advice about finding someone who can help record music, experimenting without fear, and not letting perfectionism get in the way of the creative process.
“Sometimes it doesn’t even matter if something’s good. If it feels good — that’s what matters.”
“Play drums. I would say learn the drums, like at least if you want to write songs because especially rock, and kind of punk songs. I just personally have found that for me playing drums, I just can’t imagine doing it without. I can’t imagine like having to program it all on a computer because I did it for years. like it’s crap, like it’s not as good as like being able to play a beat because in your demos and stuff demos always sound better when stuff is played by real people even if it’s like 1 microphone over a drum kit like just the cheapest it could be.”
“I don’t know if you saw I posted some of those covers on Patreon on the other day The Beatles cover?”
Mean Mr. Mustard, Right?
“Yeah, exactly and that sounds ******* terrible, I was in this room, I just put my iPhone on top of my piano which is there next to me and recorded all the drums through my phone, you know. The sound quality is obviously bad, but it always sounds better having a real person play something with a crap mic. I found when I used to try and do demos with drums on the internet and the drums were on like the computer. So much of the vibe isn’t there, it’s a real fun instrument just learn those basic concepts and then you can then you can enjoy it just like strumming. it’s like yeah, I love guitar I think it’s hard but it’s worth it, it’s worth sticking to. It’s never too late to Start learning drums you know.”
He also shares advice about finding someone who can help record music, experimenting without fear, and not letting perfectionism get in the way of the creative process.
“Sometimes it doesn’t even matter if something’s good. If it feels good — that’s what matters.”
“Also, get one of your friends who doesn’t play instruments to learn how to how to record because that is a very valuable thing to have somebody who’s like really into all that stuff. What else for young musicians? I think do whatever feels good no matter what you know? like don’t listen to anybody telling you that you should do this, or you should do that like just if you’re enjoying yourself then that’s all that matters. You shouldn’t be open to criticism but certainly when you’re first starting you should just go for you know? Also don’t beat yourself up for not writing great songs every time or for not performing well every time. I mean, God, I used to I hate when I would play, and if I didn’t play perfectly, I would be, like, so upset. Sometimes it’s like all that matters is just that you’re having a good time, like I sit here playing absolute dog **** all day long, you know, and then I’ll pop out a song that I quite like that might be good enough for the Bad Nerves. Not getting hung up on mistakes or things that aren’t as good because it’s disheartening you know? if we’re too judgmental on ourselves when we’re younger It can really drag you down. I mean you can still end up doing that as an adult as well, but I feel like youngsters are most susceptible to harsh self-criticism.”
ON GUITAR, THE BEATLES, & MUSIC FORMATING
“What I’ve learned from The Beatles is you can just do whatever you want.”
When conversing about musical practice and learning guitar, the joy of strumming, it came about how Bobby thinks The Beatles are the perfect band for learning — and experimenting. Bobby admits he’s never played “Yesterday” right all the way through, but that doesn’t stop him.
“You know what’s hard though, Yesterday is hard on guitar. that’s got loads of weird chords in it. I don’t think I’ve ever played it right all the way! and you’re right, The Beatles are the absolute best place to go for one hundred percent everything. for complicated songs, for easy songs, for but for great classic songs. Oh, God, I love them they’re my favorite band. I think on our second album (Still Nervous) there was inspiration from The Beatles for structure. You can’t hear it necessarily, but what the main thing I’ve learned from The Beatles is you can just do whatever you want, you know? You don’t have to do things that have to be like a certain way so is it feels good, you Like ‘Don’t Stop’ the first track on Still Nervous, that is just all parts that are all different. If someone had told me that a couple of years ago, I’d be like “ohh, no where’s the chorus?” You know, in like ‘Television’, what the hell is the structure of that? I mean I don’t know it’s just, like, it’s cool! completely random just so much fun you know?” … “It’s good to experiment for sure. Structure works, totally wrong structure works.”
Stay tuned for Part 2, where Bobby shares more on his personal life, musical inspirations, and his punk-peace philosophy for life. Catch Bobby Nerves and Bad Nerves on their North American tour this spring, where he’s bringing his raw honesty, lush melodies, and off-kilter humor to the stage in full force. These shows promise to be as intimate as they are unforgettable. I’ll be at a few myself—and trust me, you won’t want to miss it.