We’ll just plug in and do our thing says Gaffa Tape Sandy, playing Glastonbury today

JS and The Lockerbillies are also performing at this year's Glastonbury Festival, with sets on the Avalon Cafe Stage. Photo: Sarah Lucy Brown (Image: Archant)

The drive to Glastonbury was interesting, the band’s very tired lead singer and guitarist Kim Jarvis tells me.

“It was all fairly calm until we got close to the site and we got directed down this tiny incredibly steep route which our poor little van struggled to get up.

“Just as our driver was revving the hell out it, a massive agricultural vehicle appeared round the corner and nearly got us killed. But we’re fine and I guess it was a fitting welcome to the fields of Glastonbury.”

Kim, bass player and singer Catherine Neilson and drummer Robin Francis play the legendary festival’s BBC Music Introducing stage at 3.55pm-4.20pm today. You can watch the live stream here.

Meeting at West Suffolk College, they got together two-and-a-half years ago with the desire to do something loud and exciting.

The trio’s first single, Smart Dressed Guy, was released last year to critical acclaim, getting airplay and support from BBC Introducing in Suffolk; and they’ve supported the likes of Buzzcocks and Idles.

They launched their debut six-track EP, Spring Killing, in April. It was recorded and mixed by rising producer George Perks who has worked with SuperGlu, The Darkness and Johnny Borrell at Ipswich’s Punch Studios. It was mastered by Andy “Hippy” Baldwin at London’s Metropolis Studios.

Carving their own niche in the garage punk rock genre, their influences range from The White Stripes, Pixies and Violent Femmes to Pulled Apart By Horses, Slaves and Thee Oh Sees.

“We got invited to play Glastonbury through submitting music to BBC introducing Suffolk. They put us through to a team that selects bands to play and we were lucky enough to be chosen,” says Kim.

“We weren’t all together when we got the email about playing but I’m fairly certain all our reactions were equally confused and excited. It was so out the blue and we totally weren’t expecting it. I think we were just overwhelmed with excitement.”

BBC Introducing said: “Ever wondered what Pixies would sound like if they were younger and lived in Bury St Edmunds? Us neither, but it’s nice that Gaffa Tape Sandy are on hand should anyone ever ask. We think they’re a joy - they say they’re three friends with an undying love for music that makes you want to punch your best friends in the head. Go see.”

Gaffa Tape Sandy usually gig at The Hunter Club in Bury St Edmunds.

“It’s our musical home as some of us work there and it’s a total musical hub. Playing to big crowds is intimidating and challenging, but we’ve always been good at overcoming challenges together and we all love performing live, so I’m not that nervous. We’ll just plug in and do our thing. But there is nervousness mixed in with all that.”

Ipswich band JS and The Lockerbillies play the Avalon Cafe Stage from 10.30pm-11.30pm tonight, 4.30pm-5.15pm tomorrow and 5.30pm-6.15pm Sunday.

There’s also an up and coming Framlingham singer-songwriter by the name of Ed Sheeran playing The Pyramid Stage from 9.45pm-11.15pm Sunday.