THE VINES are music obsessives who like to champion the bands they’re into from the rooftops. You can read Jenny Valentish’s full interview with the Vines in the July issue of jmag. In the mean time, allow us to aid that championing…

The Redwalls: Perhaps Craig’s favourite band, and one he worries would be insulted if asked to support the Vines, as they’re that good. But no — we hadn’t heard of them either. The Redwalls are an authentically ’60s-style combo from Chicago, who utilise vintage gear and recording techniques, brass and the occasional bongo, to a strangely soothing effect. Fronted by a bloke with Rod Stewart’s larynx and your dad’s hair, they have a worrying penchant for old-fogey pub-band white shirts/waistcoats combos and – gasp – non-skinny jeans. “They’ve sold a few thousand copies,” says Craig, “but to me they’re amazing.” Check out their songs online — ‘Build A Bridge’ is reminiscent of Sgt. Pepper’s-era Beatles.

The Silents: Label-mates of the Vines, they’re a band Craig immediately cites when asked if he’s noticed any homegrown talent lately. “They’re from Perth. They’re really fucking cool. We’ve taken them on tour before and hopefully will again. They’re a really authentic rock band fourpiece, with harmonies and stuff like that.” Swirly tracks like ‘Nightcrawl’ and ‘23’ have been played heaps on triple j — and we reckon Lloyd Stowe’s voice has got a touch of the Nicholls about it.

Supergrass: “Do you like their new album? They’re really fucking cool, Supergrass,” says Craig of the English trio who spawned hits from ‘Caught By The Fuzz’ in 1994, all the way to ‘Bad Blood’ this year. “Supergrass came to a couple of different shows when we toured. (Gets distracted) It’s really cool, all the different people we’ve got to meet. I remember that night Danny the drummer came. Beth Orton was there and Muse were there. It was so cool that we got to meet them. It meant a lot to me. In LA, Tony Hawk came to one of our shows, he’s a famous skateboarder. I remember Rachel Hunter came, which is also just as cool…

Super Furry Animals: Craig puts the latest Super Furries album on the stereo during jmag’s photo shoot and his trail of conversation turns to the Welsh dopesters (who’ve put out eight studio albums) time and time again. He’s been listening to them incessantly throughout the making of Melodia.

Paul McCartney: “We listened to Paul McCartney’s solo album,” says Craig of the beleaguered Beatle. “It’s really good. I bought the most recent one and the one from 1970 [McCartney]. I listened to the 1970 one a lot more, but I like the recent single. It’s got a really good video.”

The Last Shadow Puppets: The new band from Arctic Monkey Alex Turner, who used to sneak into Vines gigs while under age. “It’s really fucking cool, knowing that we had an impact on him,” says Craig. “He’s such an important musical figure in this day and age.”

“We went to their show at the Enmore the first time they came out,” says Hamish. “I saw him at the after-show and went: ‘Alex, I’m Hamish.’ He said: ‘Oh, I know who you are!’ I thought that was really good. I saw them at Splendour last year and they look so young still. I’d ask them for ID if they were in my band.”

“I got his new CD and it’s really great,” says Craig. “For him to think that us and the Strokes [influenced them]… that is way cool. Say what you like about our hair and our clothes — Alex is our boy and no one can change that!”

Also on the Nicholls stereo: Manic Street Preachers’ Lifeblood, Gorillaz’ D-Sides, the Killers’ B-sides and rarities album, Sawdust.

Get the July issue of jmag to read the full interview with the Vines