The Rocking Horse Club have made a name for themselves in the Brighton scene over the past two years. Now with new single Rocks And Shoes, frontman Ed Tyson and lead guitarist Chilles Man sat down with CHRIS MIDDLETON to talk about their new single and life as musicians in Brighton.

You’ve been together for two years now. Did you feel now was the right time to release the track or did you just write the right song?

Ed: We did release a single already but it was kept really under the radar, so we decided to release ‘Rocks and Shoes’ as the first official single. Vicky Cuxson (bass guitar) joined over the summer because we were booked to play Together The People festival but we didn’t have a bassist. We kind-of rushed her in and she was wicked, so it’s now the right line-up which is partly why we did the single that way.

Why should people listen to The Rocking Horse Club?

Chilles: We’re quite grungy but we’re poppy as well. But our main thing is we like to be really direct without any nonsense. We like to make sure our songs are lean. We don’t like any excess fat on our songs.

What drew you both to Brighton?

Chilles: We both went to school together in Tunbridge Wells in Kent and we started writing songs together. We thought Brighton would be a good place to network and meet other musicians, and there’s a massive scene in Brighton as well.

Ed: Before I decided to go to BIMM my other option was to go to the University of Sussex. I just wanted to be in Brighton.

You’ve played all over Brighton. What’s your favourite venue to play?

Ed: Upstairs at The Prince Albert. The sound there is great; it’s where we played our first gig together. There’s also a wicked pub downstairs.

Chilles: It’s sort-of become a home for us there. Because it’s quite small, as soon as you get a few people in there it becomes a much friendlier vibe.

How did BIMM help you both develop as musicians?

Ed: That year on the diploma definitely moved me from just someone with a guitar to wanting to kick it up a notch and make a career out of it. Before I went I had the idea that making it was selling out Wembley and having a number one record. But at BIMM you meet loads of people who are making a career from music, and it helps you realise it can be a realistic option.

Chilles: When I was doing the diploma I definitely learnt a lot. It definitely gives you a window into the industry. I think the biggest shift in mentality for me was before BIMM I thought making it was purely based on luck. But then you realise it’s more just hard work which is kind of comforting as you realise your career is in your own hands instead of being at the whim of someone else.

So in time what do you want people to get out of listening to your music?

Ed: I’d like to feel I have said something people can relate too and there be more a personal connection. To have 12- or 13-year-olds hearing The Rocking Horse Club and turning them on to rock music would be amazing.

Chilles: It’s the little things; a woman tweeted us saying she really liked our EP to work out to, and it just felt like an accomplishment that we could be part of someone’s life in a small way.

Visit www.therockinghorseclub.com.

The next gig is at the Fiddler's Elbow in Camden, London, on June 29.