Marshall Amps, Northampton Saints’ official audio partner, supply the squad with market-leading headphones and amps to help them prepare for matches both within the gym and the changing room.
We sat down with hooker James Fish to find out what music gets him rugby ready…
1. What track is the last thing you listen to before a match and why?
I’ll always listen to different things before any game, I don’t really have a set track or playlist because I feel like that comes under the ‘superstition’ bracket which I generally try to avoid! I’ll just stick shuffle on my phone and listen to anything that comes on to keep things fresh.
2. Who’s the best post-match DJ in the dressing room after a win?
Lewis [Ludlam] has a good range of music. He was put on the music committee right at the start of the year, so he’s always got the speaker on the bus, at training and in the changing room after the game too.
3. Does your playlist change between training and match preparation – and what is different about them?
I wouldn’t say I change too much between the two to be honest. We always say you should train how you play, so why would you want to change that?
4. If you were to start a band with some of your team-mates – which ones would you pick and what kind of music would you play?
Lewis would be in there for sure as he has a good music taste, likes his DJing and I think he plays the keyboard a bit anyway. Paul Hill would be in on the triangle for a bit of entertainment – I don’t think even he could mess that up. I’d love to be able to play the saxophone so I’d be in there doing that. And George Furbank would have to be the lead singer; he looks like he belongs on an album cover doesn’t he?
5. What’s the last gig you went to?
It was a long time ago! I saw Tinie Tempah eight years ago in Nottingham while I was still at school.
6. If you could learn to play an instrument, which would you pick?
I’ve already said I wish I could play the sax so I’ll stick with that. I think it’s a cool instrument.
7. If you had to pick a song that represented your life – which one and why?
It’d be ‘The Great Beyond’ by R.E.M. It’s a song that my Dad and I used to listen to every Sunday on the way to rugby matches when I was a kid, so it’s a special one for me.
8. Who’s got the worst taste in music in the squad and why is it so bad?
Probably Paul Hill. He listens to a lot of stuff from years and years ago, proper ‘old man’ music.
9. What’s your go to karaoke song?
Definitely ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’, because everyone knows it and joins in, so you don’t actually have to sing on your own for that long!
Marshall Amplification has a vibrant and dynamic history within the music industry; and with the brand renowned for their manufacturing excellence, Marshall’s equipment is relied upon and celebrated by some of the greatest music artists in the world. For more information visit www.marshall.com.
