McFly Guys

If Harry from McFly has trouble hearing, it’s because he’s been deafened by too much female screaming.

Having just returned from a gruelling tour of South America and a recording session in Australia, Harry says things get crazy when they appear on stage.

“We were in Amsterdam last Saturday,” he adds. “And the screaming was so loud I had to put my earplugs in before I started drumming otherwise I would be deaf,” he laughs. “But we all know the fans aren’t screaming because of us as individuals, and we are all down to earth about it, although it sounds bad when you say that about yourself.

“What I mean is, I don’t think the fans are obsessed with me, and the most important thing is to keep playing, because that’s why they come to see you.

“So yes, some girls are attracted to us but I can absolutely say, we aren’t egomaniacs and we don’t let it go to our heads or take it for granted.”

And he means it. Harry Judd is about as level-headed as you get and immensely likeable, which when considering McFly have had 16 consecutive top 20 singles, eight of which reached number 1 in the UK singles chart, and their first two albums went straight to number one, is quite remarkable.

But what does his girlfriend think? “She’s fine with it and accepts it. You can’t be a jealous type if you want to go out with one of us, but she comes to some of the gigs and hangs out and she’s great and deals with it amazingly,” he says.

But wherever they’ve been, the McFly boys are always glad to come home.

“Even though we’re pretty well-known here we have a really good balance and live a pretty chilled normal life when we’re not working,” Harry promises.

“When we’re touring and promoting it’s crazy, but where we live in London there’s a few pubs and they know us in there and it’s fun.”

So what about when he goes shopping? “It’s fine until the schools break up and then you might have to sign some photos and autographs,” he says. “But if we are all out together it’s four times worse, but it’s not that hard. It’s not like we’re David Beckham or anything, we aren’t that famous and wouldn’t like to be. And being on tour is great because you get to hang out in some amazing hotels and have fun.”

And of course there’s the other plus side, where Harry can be found playing golf or surfing, as he did in Australia, between recording sessions.

“Well I’m always over and done with before the others,” he laughs, “and while I know my place behind the singers, it does have it’s advantages.”

McFly was founded by a group of record producers in 2004 and is made up of Tom, Danny, Dougie and Harry.

But while other groups floundered, McFly took their careers into their own hands and created their own label, Super Records. So if they want to record in Australia they can.

“Its an awesome place,” Harry agrees. “And we aren’t as big there as we are here, although we have a great fan base, so it means we can walk around and only get noticed by the odd fan because the general public don’t know who we are. The gigs are still as crazy though,” he smiles.

“We’re always busy over the summer and then take time off over Christmas, but to be honest people who work 9-5 every day probably work harder than us, it’s just that when it’s busy it’s manic and now that we have our own record label we don’t want to work ourselves too hard!”

Genius. But there’s more to it than that – McFly has staying power. So what’s the secret?

“Pop music seems to be coming back,” Harry agrees. “But we are fairly unique in that we are a pop band.”

So who are you main contemporaries? “Umm.....Sugababes or Girls Aloud,” he says doubtfully, “but all competition is healthy,” proving that McFly have carved a brilliant niche for themselves in today’s music industry.

Harry and the boys are coming to the New Theatre on Wednesday, Oxford being a city they know well.

“We love Oxford and my brother went to Oxford Brookes and so did my flatmate, so I’ve been to some gigs there and gone out in Oxford.

“It’s a really good place.”

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