In Conversation with Saloon Dion

By Ben Bagley

Bristolian rockers on life on the road, their new E.P. and Britain’s finest motorway service stations.

In the corner of a dank Edinburgh pub, I caught up with Saloon Dion before their show at Legends. The five-piece comprising Dave Sturgess (Vocals), Tom Simpkins (Guitar), Taz McDonnell (Guitar), Luke Mullins (Bass) and Ben Molyneux (Drums) are a week into their UK tour and enjoying life on the road.  

Hearing Aid (Ben Bagley): Hey guys, how’s the tour been going?

Tom: It’s been great so far. We’ve loved travelling around, visiting places that we wouldn’t normally go to. We played in a venue in Newquay the other day which doubles as a bicycle shop which was a great laugh and probably the best crowd so far. Bring on Edinburgh tonight!

HA: First things first, talk to me about the name. Are you all fans of the great Celine?

Taz: An old bandmate of mine had a list of really shit band names. Saloon Dion was his PlayStation name, I believe. 

Dave: We thought about calling ourselves ‘Simon Cowell’s Jeans’ but it didn’t make the cut.

HA: You started out in Bristol, right? How did you get together?

Tom: We’d all been in different bands before, went to each other’s gigs and hung out at the pub a lot. After COVID most of our bands split up and we decided we should start something.

Taz: I wanted the band to be like Kings of Leon but heavier. We sound nothing like that.

HA: What’s it like balancing your day jobs with touring in the band?

Tom: It’s tough, to be honest. I work in construction and there are days where I finish work and have to head straight off for a gig. Last year, we played in Southampton, and I drove down in my full high vis gear, showered at the venue and got myself on stage. Have you ever watched that show Stars In Their Eyes?

Luke: When you’ve been working all day, it can be hard to get in the zone. 

So how do you psych yourself up for a gig?

Tom: Seeing the boys gives me a lift. And pints.

HA: Talk to me about your creative process.  

Luke: We often don’t see each other for a long time, so by the time we come together there’s normally a lot of creative energy. We often write a couple of songs in the space of an hour. 

Tom: We rehearse at our drummer’s parents’ house, so we’re not restricted by studio time. We often practise for long stints and often late into the night. They love rock’n’roll, which is fortunate for us.

HA: How do you know when you’ve struck gold?

Tom: We just start laughing.

Taz: Tommy gets this thing where his leg starts shaking. You know when you scratch a dog and it like starts twitching.

Tom: Yeah, I go all Angus Young. I just go crazy and my hat starts sliding down my face. 

HA: You released your second EP Where You’ll Find Me earlier this year. What’s the meaning behind the name?

Dave: I think it resonated with all of us and the journey we’ve been on together. We’re all starting to get a bit older and it’s nice to look back on what you’ve achieved and where you are as a group.

HA: What’s your favourite lyric on the E.P.?

Dave: I think when we wrote ‘Struck’ that changed my approach to lyric writing. We really stepped up and I think the chorus is some of our best lyrical work.

Tom: I like the one about TNT.                                                  

Dave: “Pissing in the stream and going for a swim” deserves a mention too.

HA: What are some of the influences on the record?

Tom: I’ve been listening to Mazzy Star. I know it’s a bit dialled back compared to most of our stuff, but I love the way the guitar flows through the music.

Luke: Girls Aloud, for me. 

Tom: Some Britpop stuff as well. I’m really into Suede and Bernard Butler. 

HA: Are you taking the record overseas?

Tom: Yeah, we’re playing at Left of the Dial in Rotterdam next month, which is very exciting. Hoping to head over to Italy, France and maybe Germany at some point too. 

Luke: We’d love to go around Europe. Seeing new places is the best.

Tom: We’ll play anywhere. 

HA: Given an unlimited budget what would a Saloon Dion show look like?

Tom: I saw an AC/DC show where they had canons. Imagine that but in a 100-cap venue.

Luke: Pull up in a limo with loads of paps. I reckon we bring loads of celebs like maybe Johnny Depp. Let everyone in for free. 

Tom: Could we have it on a yacht in the Med?

HA: Who’s supporting?

Luke: Oasis. Or maybe just Noel Gallagher talking about politics.

Tom: Shouldn’t we go for someone we love?

Dave: How about Chappell Roan.

Tom: Yeah, Chappell Roan and The Clash.

HA: Sum-up Saloon Dion in three words.

Tom: Breakdowns. Chepstow. Lager.

Luke: Yeah, we’ve broken down a few times.

HA: I guess you must be well-acquainted with the UK’s service stations. Any favourites?

Tom: I’m a big fan of Cobham. Quite like Chieveley too.

Luke: I mean Reading’s a classic.

Tom: Wherever you’re going, at Reading you’re nearly there. 

Luke: Unless you’re going to Scotland.

Tom: There’s that one on the M1 which looks like it’s absolutely hanging.

Luke: What with the walkway? That’s Leicester, I think.

Dave: That’s in the film Layer Cake with Daniel Craig.

Tom: It’s so grey that it makes you feel kind of sick. It’s got a Greggs though. Actually, can we add Greggs to the three words? Breakdowns. Chepstow. Lager. Greggs. That’s Saloon Dion. 

You can stream Where You’ll Find Me on any major streaming platform and catch Saloon Dion on the remainder of their UK tour.