Hearing Things Hirameka Hi-fi have. Thalia dropped by on the Gringo Records tour with fellow gringos Eska and Reynolds for the gruelling Rockmidgets interview and asked... which Spice Girl would you be? Interview by Thalia

Where did the name 'Hirameka Hi-Fi' come from?
Tom: The name came from Chris Baldwin talking in his sleep. 'I am going to hear a meeka hi-fi' he groaned...we simplified it for the name.

How did Pete and Ben get involved after the original lineup was changed?
Ben: I knew Matt from gringo and he kind of put me onto the band, I had an audition, they seemed to like the fact I had my own drumstool and could do this little clinky thing on the ride cymbal. They were very impressed by my professionalism.
Pete: Matt informed me that Tom wanted to restart the band after the brief split, and they asked me if I wanted to join, and that was that.

Which one of your songs are you most satisfied with?
Tom: 'The Imperfect Approach'. Its the closest we've come to the sound in my head.
Pete: My favourite since I've been in the band is 'Chewable Form'.
Ben: Probably 'Later That Year' or 'The Imperfect Approach'.

What are the best and worst gigs you have ever played?
Tom: Best-Upstairs at The Garage when it was rammed, worst? Probably Chelmsford.
Pete: Best- Leeds Packhourse because it was packed and I met some of my friends who I don't see very often. Worst was Newcastle because of the twit from the support band (sorry Thalia!)
Ben: Best was definitely upstairs at the garage when it was full, and we had to queue up to get into our own gig. The worst was upstairs at the garage when everyone had gone to Glastonbury and we fell apart like a structurally unsound lego tower

What are the best and worst aspects of life on the road?
Tom: Meeting new people is the best bit.
Ben: Seeing other parts of the country that I wouldn't go to otherwise.
Pete: The worst bit is never being sure where your next cup of tea is coming from, which is difficult for a caffiene freak like me.
Ben: The worst bit is missing Colchester United games.

If you were in the Spice Girls, what would your prefix be? [e.g [insert appropriate adjective here] Spice] Ben: 'Skint' Spice Tom: 'Lucky' Spice Pete: I don't have one, but I am perhaps a little scary.

What was the first gig you ever went to?
Tom: S*M*A*S*H with the Nubiles and Orange delixe..I really got off on how loud it was.
Pete: Fairport convention when I was about 1 month old. I was rocking in this little backpack thing my dad had.
Ben: My mum tells me I saw the beastie boys in covent garden when I was really young. It was at this time that I helped co-write most of the Ill Communication album.

What are your favourite non-Hirameka songs?
Tom: 'A House Is Not A Motel' by Love
Pete: 'Propaganda' by Dead Prez
Ben: 'Night and day' Frank Sinatra

What is the worst insult/heckle that has ever been shouted at you?
Pete: No one shouts at me because I'm really nice
Tom: No one shouts at us because we're tidy, stacked, and packing heat.
Ben: Take your pick of any conversation I've ever had with Phill from Reynolds.

How can we get hold of the 'Munchin' video? (Their first video, which has rarely seen the light of day, being that it was recorded secretly in a school playground with the band chasing the kids. Needless to say, the parents of the children involved weren't impressed with the 'cinéma verité' format...)
Tom: Only one copy exists, and once a year we all watch it together and chuckle

What is your favourite word?
Tom: Valid
Pete: Revolution
Ben: Play-offs

What is the most vital item on your rider?
Tom: White lightning value pack
Pete: Earl grey tea
Ben: What rider is this then? A few cheeky beers. Oh, and earplugs.

Ben also told us their plans for the near future:
We are supporting Clinic and the mighty Trail of dead next week in Colchester...it's gonna be awesome. Other plans are to record again before Xmas. Maybe for the album, maybe another single..not sure yet, and to tour Ireland for a short while in January. We might also be playing with All Scars, who are a Fugazi offshoot.