Last but not least in our interviews with the band is Pat on bass, who's also a gifted and prolific songwriter.

How did you come to join Anteloup?

Well Luis and I were playing in a cover band- in Middle6, we were quite good actually - now here is where the story gets muddled. Luis says he approached me to do some originals.

Who's your musical hero?

Great songwriters, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, Burt Bacharach, anyone that has written a song that people have enjoyed over many years. Currently the person touched by this greatness is Frank Ocean. Bandwise, there is only one band - Radiohead with their In Rainbow album.

What's your first musical memory?

Sugar, Sugar by the Archies... and Both Sides Now by Joni Mitchell. These two just sort of sit together in my mind. Sugar Sugar has got to be a classic, Bob Marley did a version of it!

If Anteloup were playing on Later with Jools, who else would you like to be on the bill?

Radiohead, Frank Ocean, Neil Young, Sufjan Stevens.

If Anteloup were a food, what would it be?

Peanut butter, topped with Jam on Toast.

What was your weirdest experience playing with Anteloup?

Less weird but best moment ... looking around and seeing people sing along with Crown and Lock at a gig we played with Gallery 47.

If you weren't in Anteloup, which band would you like to be in?

Oooh, gosh, only Anteloup would have me... l guess radiohead or Chic or The Stone Roses might let me stand near their amp holding the guitar legs in place.

Favourite tipple?

I not a big drinker, so usually just follow what one of the band goes with... after saying that, l am developing a taste for whiskey

Favourite album of all time?

Songs In the Key Of Life, Stevie Wonder

Which was your favourite Anteloup gig?

2021 Oxjam gig, basically because of our singer. He was himself.

Again we're dusting off the Anteloup history books and grilling the band members. Next up is David on drums, whose versatile beats are the backbone of the band. Something tells me he doesn't like being interviewed though...

How did you come to join Anteloup?

I was pressganged into it.

Who's your musical hero?

Dolly Parton.

What's your first musical memory?

I can't remember what I was doing this morning!

If Anteloup were playing on Later with Jools, who else would you like to be on the bill?

I hate Jools Holland, I'd refuse to play.

If Anteloup were a food, what would it be?

Roadkill.

What was your weirdest experience playing with Anteloup?

All of them.

If you weren't in Anteloup, which band would you like to be in?

The Dave Boden Big Band.

Favourite tipple?

De-icer.

Favourite album of all time?

Now That's What I Call Music 79.

Which was your favourite Anteloup gig?

The one we did with Van Morrison.

It's time we delved into the history of Anteloup and got to know its inmates a bit better. Next up is Gary on keyboards, the newest member of the band who adds a classic layer of piano, synth and Hammond.

How did you come to join Anteloup?

I went to a party and me and my girlfriend (who you can hear singing on our 30-second song, 'My Friend') sat next to a member of the band. They got talking and it turned out the band were looking for a keyboard player, and the rest is history! I turned up to meet them for the first time at the White Lion, and the room we used for rehearsal was double-booked, so the other hirers, who I also knew, were turfed out - awkward!

Who's your musical hero?

Neil Young. Not just for the music (love his simple but soulful piano playing as well as his unique guitar playing), but his uncompromising attitude.

What's your first musical memory?

I remember watching Kate Bush on TV when I was about 5 and being rather spellbound. Great to rediscover her again later in life.

If Anteloup were playing on Later with Jools, who else would you like to be on the bill?

I'd go for Ozomatli, Lizz Wright (doing her wonderful cover of Mr Young's Old Man), Natalie Merchant, Eels, and Laura Marling doing her solo acoustic thing. Shame Dr John is no longer with us.

If Anteloup were a food, what would it be?

Tapas - a taste of everything!

What was your weirdest experience playing with Anteloup?

In an erstwhile sports bar-type venue, during our set they had cage fighting playing on the TVs. Certainly created an atmosphere!

If you weren't in Anteloup, which band would you like to be in?

REM are no more so I'll go for my old favourites Deacon Blue. I love the organ and piano of their keyboard player Jim Prime.

Favourite tipple?

An IPA will do nicely, and the occasional Pastis when I'm feeling nostalgic for France - great that the Star Inn sometimes has it in.

Favourite album of all time?

Changes every five minutes but at the moment Our Time in Eden by 10,000 Maniacs is on heavy rotation. Neil Young's Archives vol 2 is also worth a deep dive.

Which was your favourite Anteloup gig?

We always look forward to Oxjam, I remember the one in the Crown Inn's beer garden on a lovely sunny October day as going down well.

It's time we delved into the history of Anteloup and got to know its inmates a bit better. Next up is guitarist Pete, whose incredible solos and musicianship are an essential part of the Anteloup sound.

How did you come to join Anteloup?

I met Luis through NCT classes just before we became fathers. At the end of the last meeting it somehow came about that Luis's band were looking for another guitarist and it all went from there!

Who's your musical hero?

Ooh.... Tough one! I think that I might have to go for Pete Garrett of Midnight Oil. He's a man with a message and the music just rocks!

What's your first musical memory?

Controversial.... It's buying Michael Jackson's 'Bad' vinyl album from Carrefour in Minworth when I was about 8 years old.

If Anteloup were playing on Later with Jools, who else would you like to be on the bill?

I'm going to have to say Midnight Oil, they're so fantastic live. Maybe make in an 'Ant'ipodean special and throw in the Hoodoo Gurus and Neil Finn too!

If Anteloup were a food, what would it be?

Part of a melon?

What was your weirdest experience playing with Anteloup?

Some chap dancing in a peculiar manner to all our tunes!

If you weren't in Anteloup, which band would you like to be in?

Blue Oyster Cult... On the road forever!

Favourite tipple?

That would probably be a nice port on occasion, but I'll settle for beer as standard!

Favourite album of all time?

Opeth - Still Life. It's a concept album and I just love every track!

Which was your favourite Anteloup gig?

Probably one of the gigs at the Crown in Beeston, maybe the most recent Oxjam one.

It's time we delved into the history of Anteloup and got to know its inmates a bit better. First up is lead singer and guitarist Luis, who has contributed many of the band's classic songs.

How did you come to join Anteloup?

Pat, Dave and I used to step up for a local covers band every now and again. Pat and I chatted about some original stuff and roped Dave in. We were called The Rubber Onion Band and never played a gig! After recruiting Pete and another vocalist we changed the name to Anteloup, before auditioning Gary.

Who's your musical hero?

Too many to list here! Gary Moore, Mark Knopfler, Prince, Bjork, Beck, Dusty Springfield, Nina Simone, Jane Weaver... The list goes on!

What's your first musical memory?

I used to have a Fisher Price wind-up pocket radio that played Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head. It would have been about 1973, I think. When I heard B J Thomas singing it on the proper radio I freaked out! In my defence, I was only 4.

If Anteloup were playing on Later with Jools, who else would you like to be on the bill?

Jane Weaver, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Erasure and Lady Gaga would be a good start.

If Anteloup were a food, what would it be?

Probably a selection of cream cakes; a little bit of everything, naughty and nice!

What was your weirdest experience playing with Anteloup?

We played Oxjam some years ago and I routed my pedal board through the PA, instead of my amp. Issue was, my guitar was NOT on the channel that fed my fold-back. I did the whole set without actually hearing my guitar! If you watch the vid of "Jodie" you'll see me mention to Pat that I can't hear my guitar solo!

If you weren't in Anteloup, which band would you like to be in?

Probably ELO (aka "Jeff Lynne's ELO"). One of my school friends was a cellist in ELO some years back. Be nice to catch up with her, too.

Favourite tipple?

A decent craft ale, a decent single malt, or a nice mug of coffee.

Favourite album of all time?

Too many to choose from again.... Delicate Sound of Thunder (Pink Floyd), Ten (Pearl Jam), Blood Sugar Sex Magic (RHCP), The Planets (Holst), The Silver Globe (Jane Weaver), Sam's Town (The Killers)....

Which was your favourite Anteloup gig?

I would say Oxjam 2021. It had been SO long without a gig and we really decided to make this something special. The whole band just stepped up and tore the arse out of the set. I don't think I've ever been so happy playing a gig. Everything just clicked up to 11!!

The Oxjam Beeston Takeover is back, and after our storming set at the Star Inn in 2018, it's great to be playing there again.

You can expect our usual catchy melodies, expertly weaving summery sounds, snappy lyrics and brooding anthems, with a few prog wig-outs thrown in for good measure. We're unapologetically eclectic in our music tastes and this comes through in our sets, with tinges of synth-pop, soul, folk rock, indie and ska. Think Squeeze or 10cc with (slightly) less grey hair.

Oxjam Beeston raises tens of thousands for a great cause and takes over most of the pubs in Beeston. Join us for some great local songwriting at 4.25pm, get there early as it'll be busy!

You won't need a ticket to enter until later on but get one anyway, as it's all for a good cause.

In the meantime, have a look at our magnificent gallery of photos from last time we were at the Star.

Anteloup are really proud to have our song 'My Friend' on the Notts Very Long Songs album of 30-second songs, part of Nottstoppingfestival.com.

Our song and the whole album are available to buy online, and all profits will go to helping key workers. The video was shown on Nottstoppingfestival.com's live stream.

Songwriter Pat Hylton tells us more about the inspiration behind the song:

The song is about the fact that we have physical distancing, but we don’t have to be social or psychological distant. The words “Don’t be afraid, please pick up the phone, please believe me, you’re not alone”, recognises that while the present situation is unprecedented and things are unknown, we need not be afraid as there is help, compassion, empathy. This is displayed both in our essential workers and our communities. The video reminds us of this as the community comes together to sing, and those voices lift us up to know “we will work it out”, because we are “friends”. As with all troubled times, the differences between us will be our strength to overcome and resolve (the rainbow). We wanted to write something uplifting, reflective and simple like Bob Marley’s ‘Three Little Birds’.

Online shop

We've also launched our online shop! As well as all your Anteloup t-shirts, mugs and tote bags, limited edition "My Friend" merchandise is available. Anteloup's profits until the end of June on the My Friend items will be donated to the Nottstopping Festival fund for keyworkers.

October's looking to be a busy month for the band, with Oxjam Beeston Takeover 2019 landing on the 19th and a mixed set confirmed at the Barton's Garage Street Food Smoke Up event on the 26th.

The Oxjam Beeston Takeover is a truly fantastic event with over 100 music acts performing at nearly 20 venues over a 12-hour period from midday to midnight. This event constantly raises tens of thousands of pounds for Oxfam and is music-lover's heaven!

The boys will be playing the legendary Hop Pole at 8.50pm. so you'll need to buy a ticket, which will get you into every venue.

The Barton's Garage Street Food Smoke Up returns at The Garage, Chilwell, with a multitude of street food vendors providing the very best in world cuisine as well as award-winning ales. The sight, tastes and smells of the event, mixed in with a cracking variety of live music acts and a warm feeling inside, will satisfy all your senses at once.

Once again, Anteloup are joining up with local covers band Middle:6 to provide a mixed set of original and covers music. Doors for the event open at 5pm, with the guys taking to the stage from 8pm. More details on the event can be found at the Garage Chilwell website.

Belper Goes Green

The Belper Goes Green festival ran over the 1st and 2nd June 2019 on the Belper Rugby Club ground in the small Derbyshire town, just a 30-minute drive up the A6 from Derby itself. It’s a fantastic event, focussing on renewable energy, climate change and the future protection of our planet. It also boasts 2 separate music stages, covering all manner of musical genre and styles. So, it was the perfect venue for Anteloup to join in and grace the crowds with their cross-genre approach to playing the stuff they like. A cracking mix of songs were performed, including old favourites like A Little Bit Like Kiss Me, to brand new material such as Little By Little. The weather threw everything it had at the festival and the tent was rammed, initially with folk trying to find shelter, but then by a wonderfully appreciative crowd who bobbed, clapped and danced throughout the set. The band were still buzzing the following Tuesday at their practice and are really looking forward to playing the event again.

Anteloup In The Studio

JT Soar Studios are a well established studio in Nottingham, who have had quite a number of established acts through their doors, including Sleaford Mods, Rattle and The Merryn Ashwell Quintet. Now they can add Anteloup to that list as the guys are in the process of recording their first 2 studio tracks there.

A day was spent laying down most of the songs, with just some finishing touches to be provided by Pete and Luis. The band have already had a sneak preview rough mix of the tracks so far and they’re sounding pretty damned good! Keep you eyes out for official releases before the end of the Summer.

Oxjam Beeston Takeover

Saturday 19th October is the Oxjam Beeston Takeover; an event that the whole band really look forward to. Not only just to play, but also to check out the staggering amount of local music talent who turn out to provide 12 hours of fantastic, top-quality non-stop music.

Anteloup are confirmed as playing and venue details will be provided as soon as the band have confirmation.

Saturday 13th October saw the Oxjam Beeston Takeover festival return and, once again, the guys played a barnstorming set for one of their favourite music events of the year.

The band have become regulars at Oxjam, playing such venues as The White Lion, The Crown and The Bar. This year they played at The Star Inn from 7.20pm.

This was the second time at The Star for Anteloup, although it was a first for their current line up, and they played to a packed room.

There were a couple of Oxjam firsts being aired alongside some of the band's more well-known numbers.

See the photos here.