Photos: Stephen McLeod

"What kind of bleach do use on your hair? Is it just toilet stuff?"

I felt like the wee boy from the year 2000’s classic film ‘Almost Famous’. Being given complete and unrestricted access to Pulled Apart by Horses - what has to be the UK’s most exciting live band - on their debut album release tour throws up as many serious questions as well as those about my hair.

Whilst spending time in dressing rooms and backstage areas with bands is not something alien to me, you can’t help but wonder what the etiquette is when you’re there to observe and effectively ‘report back’ on the inner workings of a group as tightly knit as this. When bands are as frank and down-to-earth as the Leeds foursome are, it gets even harder to work out whether what’s said is on or off the record. There’s not exactly a rule book which lets you know what information you glean is private or better not released, and which you can share. The fine balance of giving respect to the trust you’re given by people on the road and making sure you give an honest and full account is not one which is all that easily met.