Talking QPR with...Brother

If their huge, everyman choruses, spot-on nineties revivalism and recent Letterman appearance are anything to go by, Slough four-piece Brother are about to go stratospheric. Sport.co.uk caught up with singer Lee and guitarist Sam to discuss their beloved QPR, whose promotion to the Premier League has of course now been confirmed following the scare of a possible points deduction...
First of all, congratulations on QPR’s return to the top flight.
Lee: Thank you!
How do you think they’ll get on there? Are you worried that the board might try to replace Neil Warnock with a ‘big name’ manager?
Lee: Yeah, I’ve heard a lot about that. I’d hope they wouldn’t do that. He’s kind of the ‘go to’ manager for getting you promoted and then ditching straight away so I’d like to see him get a chance in the top flight. I think we need to make a lot of changes, especially defensively; they need to be a bit quicker for Premiership football. Week in week out, players like [Shaun] Derry have been so vocal and so important to our rise that it would be a shame to see them go.
Sam: It’s going to be a tough season. But we’ve got a tough manager.
Are all four of you QPR fans?
Lee: No, just me and Sam.
Sam: I’m a more recent fan. I’ve been sucked into it by spending too much time with Lee. He’s old school.
Lee: I’ve been supporting them since I was about six or seven.
Do you think Adel Taraabt will stay?
Lee: I’d like to think so. I’d think he would. We’ve got the money to keep him, in terms of keeping him paid, and I think it would be foolish of him to go to a big club too soon. As much as he’s developed over this year, I think he still needs a lot more developing and the role of captain could keep his head straight because, you know, he has those naive moments. He can be a bit of a brat sometimes. It would be good to keep him for his sake; and obviously ours as well, because he’s really good!
How did you celebrate promotion? Come to think of it, did you celebrate twice?
Lee: Actually, yeah.
Sam: We found out while we were in San Diego.
Lee: It was just after the royal wedding, I think. Or maybe just before. We were in San Diego when we were promoted and in Oxford when we realised there wasn’t going to be a points deduction. Stephen Street, who produced our album, is a big QPR fan as well; he was in Toronto when we played there and were talking about it, and he was like, “Can you celebrate yet?” Neither of us could but, in a few days, we found out we were alright and, yeah, we didn’t sleep much that night!

O Brother, where art thou? Why, Loftus Road, of course!
Which particular areas of the squad would you like to see strengthened? Any specific players in mind? You’ve been linked with none other than Football Writers’ Player of the Year Scott Parker.
Yeah, I saw that. It’s hard. I mean, up front seemed to be where we had an issue earlier on in the season. Obviously we got [Wayne] Routledge back on loan and I’d like to see him signed. I’d say we’re alright for now as a whole but we need to work on the defence. Like I said, Derry’s done such a great job but I just don’t know how he’d do in the Premiership. It’s completely different.
Who have been your top three players of the season?
Lee: Well, we’ve mentioned Derry.
Sam: [Jamie] Mackie.
Lee: Mackie, yeah. And Taraabt. Actually, no, I’ll tell you what: [Paddy] Kenny. I would see Kenny instead of Mackie. He’s been the unsung hero in goal, Premiership quality for me. He had a bit of a lull towards the end of the season but I don’t blame him as he’s been working his b****cks off.
How has recent Sport.co.uk interviewee Matthew Connolly been doing?
Lee: He was out for a while but he’s been doing good. I’m a fan, always have been.
Who would you have in your personal all-time QPR XI?
Lee: Certainly not Mark Hateley! I’d say [Les] Ferdinand would be in there. Danny Maddix was a good one. Kevin Gallen would be in there.
Sam: Gillard.
Lee: Ian Gillard, yeah, that’ll do! David Seaman, started off at us. Crouchy [Peter Crouch] was there: he was great. Um...I could name you a bunch of people that I wouldn’t want to see in an XI.
Go for it.
Lee: Tony Scully...although he did score a great goal against Crystal Palace when we beat them 6-0 to stay up, so actually I’ll let him off for that. Hateley. Jurgen Sommer was a really bad ‘keeper, I always mention him when I’m chatting with my dad about this. Daniele Dichio wasn’t actually that good for us.

 

Check the QPR flag on Letterman.

 

http://www.talksport.co.uk/magazine...agher-and-look-forward-performing-loftus-road