BEN NUNN
Born in Cambridge in 1987, Ben started playing guitar at the age of 15.
I initially started off playing guitar thanks to my love of nu-metal. Watching channels like Kerrang and Scuzz made me think “Bloody hell – these guys are pretty cool. I want to be like them”. I started a band and played guitar but realised that my fingers were too fat to be anywhere near intricate enough to play the thing properly. However, I carried on and eventually my first band came to an end.
It was at Sixth Form college that I approached Felix and Mark and asked if they fancied forming a band. I believe they were already jamming at the time and as Felix already played guitar, I was demoted to bass. However, I quickly fell in love with the instrument and realised that it better suited me. The rest as they say, is history!
My family were never really that musical in terms of actually playing instruments. However, from a young age I was exposed to my mum’s music on car journeys and have always had music placed quite prominently in my life.
Influences include more modern bands such as Linkin Park, Blink 182 and Green Day.
I love Linkin Park so much that it is a little bit sad! However, I think that the way they craft their music is incredible and the way they continue to tweak and evolve their sound is both interesting and inspiring. They are a truly inspirational outfit that prompted me to get into music the way I have.
Blink 182 are brilliant because their music is so simplistic. They aren’t really that technical and to think they have had a career spanning nearly two decades, most of which consists of just four power chords, is pretty outstanding. Not to mention the fact they write hilarious songs!
What do you enjoy most about playing in The Routine?
I enjoy working on music that is full of feeling and passion! It is pretty awesome when an idea is brought into the rehearsal room and you gradually see it build into something that eventually becomes a song. I also enjoy working hard on our live performances and making sure that the audience are guaranteed a great show.
Any memorable/horrible moments from your musical career?
Playing at The Junction to a sold out crowd and headlining the O2 Academy in Islington were both pretty memorable shows. It is also absolutely incredible anytime people sing our songs back at us! A horrible moment? The first show I ever performed was pretty horrible for both the band and the crowd!
Random fact about yourself?
I have played bass on stage at the O2 Arena in London.