Sheffield indie rock band LITTLE MAN TATE reformed back in 2020 after an eleven year hiatus, but with the pandemic halting live performances across the globe, the band were forced to postpone their returning shows in their hometown until the following year. Once their two sold out shows concluded, it was clear the drive for new music was well under way, and now finally after 15 years came their third album ‘Welcome to the Rest of Your Life’. We sat down with guitarist Maz to chat about the album, how the reunion came to light and what is next for the band.

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How excited are you to finally release your third album?

Maz: I am really excited. I love that we are in a position that we can put our new material rather than riding out playing just our old songs coming off the back of the reunion shows. We decided to see if we could have a go at writing again. Me and Jon write the tunes for the albums and it seemed to work again. It has been four years since we have reformed and on the brink of album three coming out and to get to this stage is a real achievement for us.

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Before the split back in 2009, was there any discussions of a third album back then?

Maz: We put quite a lot of effort into the second album, but we didn’t have a major label behind us like we did with the first record. You do have a bit of pulling power in the industry and it was a shock to us to go from that to then releasing the second album on an indie label. Skint Records who we went with were great, they were fantastic, we just couldn’t get the momentum going that we had with the first album. Although we were really pleased with it, after loads of tours we were absolutely knackered from it all, so the idea of writing more songs just didn’t feel any way of appealing. We knew that if kept writing it would feel like our hearts weren’t in it. I think everyone knows we were quite honest with that, rather than it being any differences in the band, there was no falling out, it just put us in a bit of control for once to do what we wanted. Those couple of gigs we did in Sheffield were really special and to put a full stop on your career was quite nice.

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During the time away from the band, was you still involved with music in some way?

 Jon did some solo stuff, I did some session stuff. Whilst that was fun in the interim, it never filled the hole that we once had. It feels good to be back on it again, releasing new songs. It’s taken too long to get it out really as some of the songs on the album are nearly two years old now. We’re really glad we are at the stage to release it.

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What was the original plan when you reformed? Was it just to do the shows and see how it went, or was there more to that?

Maz: We had to test the waters really and not get ahead of ourselves. We only initially put one date on, just to see what would happen. We felt it was right for us to do a Little Man Tate reunion, but we had no idea how people were going to react. When we sold out the first night and then sold out the second one, there was obviously something there. The plan became more details as we went further on. We played Tramlines the following year, and supported The Enemy on their reunion tour. Things fell into place really. We never put too much pressure on ourselves.

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What was the structure like behind the new album?

Maz: Most of the songs we had done, were crafted by me and Jon first, we’d get the basis of this songs. Dan and Ben would put there bits to it and it would come together. Some of the songs came directly from the studio, such as ‘Beautiful and Deadly’ where Martin (Producer) helped us with. We had a live room in the studio so it came from just jamming really. It came mostly from rehearsals before going into the studio, but we still enjoy a live recording version too. The last tour we did we had Martin on stage with us, so it was nice to have essentially our leader with us, and it gave us a bigger live sound.

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What is the message behind the album title ‘Welcome to the Rest of Your Life’?

Maz: There are multiple messages to it. It stemmed from mainly our age, we’re not hiding from the fact that we are now in our forty’s. You have a different perspective towards life in your middle age. Some of the songs reflect that outlook, but also care free and not so deep. The last track has got quite a deep meaning. It’s a message for anyone really. You have a second chance at life, it could be a new career or a new wife, and it could be new friends or anything.

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What was the music scene like when Little Man Tate formed? Bands like Milburn and Arctic Monkeys went on to release their debut albums the following year. How different is it now in Sheffield?

Maz: The main difference is it is less about what everyone else is doing and at what time. Who is playing at what venue, which is getting the big support slots? Although it was great, it can make other bands and musicians feel like outsiders. It all depends on the genre as well. Music from Sheffield can’t be pigeon holed as just guitar music. There are some amazing artists that are either heavy metal or even hip-hop. The music scene right now in Sheffield is really diverse, and we’re just glad we are remembered that we were part of it. There was a buzz around the city there is no denying that. People that were part of the scene back then seemed to have mellowed a bit. We like Reverend & The Makers are buzzing to see other bands back, Milburn are playing a reunion show in the summer. There’s no fake rivalry anymore, but when you were part of it you notice it more. At the end of the day why do you need to get riled up about it all, just do what you want to do and not get bitter or jealous. The Sheffield music scene is fantastic and I feel it is the healthiest it has ever been, let’s hope that continues.

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How in tune are you with the Sheffield music scene? Do you get chance to go and check out other bands or is it more the social media side?

Maz: Yeah a little bit. The fact we have come back into it, it has been an eye opener what is going on right now. When you are involved as much as we were back then, you get down about it all and you want to forget about all that. Since we come back, we have played with some great bands like The Outcharms from Doncaster and The Rosadocs, The Reytons are doing brilliant things recently and we are playing with them for their big homecoming in the summer, so it’s really good to see especially when they get a big support slot or even on a festival you do feel proud.

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As part of the physical editions of the album, you have been signing a bunch in the lead up to its release. Does it feel strange to be doing that again after 15 years?

Maz: We have learnt a lot from that time away. From borrowing equipment to play gigs because your van gets knicked, to signing a major deal and then getting dropped, to then quit. It is a lot different now, and you are more in control of how you want the music to get out there if you want that control. It is a bit easier for us, since we reformed, we haven’t had to slog ourselves on the touring circuit and promote ourselves, because people still know who we are. It is quite nice to know that a lot of bands don’t feel the need to get a certain deal or get exposure on social media. Its about keeping things simple for us at the end of the day. We’re lucky to have some distribution behind us who have helped to get the album pressed on vinyl, CD and cassette, it’s great. Every record we sign we always wonder where it is going to end up. We have to pinch ourselves sometimes as we never thought this would happen again.

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What plans do Little Man Tate have going forward?

Maz: Apart from The Reytons gig at Clifton Park in Rotherham, there is nothing else in the diary currently. It won’t be our last gig that’s for certain. We have got plans to do more stuff, it is just hard trying to put stuff together. We all have other jobs and commitments outside the band so it isn’t easy anymore to be touring again or getting back out on the road. Hopefully, there will be some more live dates for this year.

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What does a Little Man Tate rider include now that you are back, and what would you like to add to it?

Maz: The rider isn’t as intense as what it used to be. I remember once we did this Jim Beam tour, and the rider was literally just bottles of Jim Beam and it got so excessive to the point you would open the van door and bottles would just be falling out. We like to have a few lagers on there, a few Guinness, a few bottles of wine, and there might be the odd bottle of vodka. The rider can get a bit insane especially for the bigger bands. We could do with more chairs, every time we have done a gig and our mates come back stage, there is nowhere to sit. Some of those La-Z-Boy chairs with a built in massager and four pairs of slippers. That would be nice.

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A huge thank you to Maz for taking the time out of his evening to chat with us.

LITTLE MAN TATE‘s third album ‘Welcome to the Rest of Your Life‘ is out now.

Physical copies are available HERE.