Martin Rossiter From Gene

Martin Rossiter from Gene spoke to us before the band’s October 2026 dates at The Roundhouse in London:

 

Where is your hometown, and could you please describe it in five words?

 

I was born in Cardiff but spent most of my youth in Watford. So in five words: No. Tears. If. It’s. Bombed.

 

 

What is your earliest musical memory?

 

Singing hymns alongside burly men with full moustaches in Conway Road Methodist Church in Cardiff.

 

 

When did you begin songwriting?

 

I’d always written little ditties as a child, but in earnest when I was 13.

 

 

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

 

My taste in melody comes entirely from the church. They say the devil has the best tunes but he’d never have written the descant part on O Come All Ye Faithful.

 

 

You have your new live album ‘Apollo’, which is out now on the independent label Costermonger. Do you think you’ve managed to capture that’s night electric atmosphere at the Eventim Apollo on the album?

Getting that spirit onto vinyl is always tricky but we were blessed with our genius sound engineer Snake Newton, who mixed the record too. He’s a very clever bunny.

 

With such an extensive back catalogue, is it difficult picking a set list? Do you have a specific song selection process?

There are certain songs that if we didn’t play the fans would march us to the gallows. We rehearsed a lot of songs and the songs themselves have a way of forcing themselves onto the list.

 

Gene return to the capital to play two dates at The Roundhouse in Camden in October. Are there plans to play in mainland Europe, or further afar?

 

Brexit has made it increasingly difficult to play in mainland Europe, thanks Cameron. If we can play without losing money we’ll go, Gene Live in Guadeloupe has a certain ring.

 

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

 

Retain continence.

 

 

Are Gene planning to write new material moving forward, or is it too early to say?

 

Tut tut, I’m not telling you that.

 

 

What makes Gene happy and what makes you unhappy?

 

Regular walks and grooming.

 

 

How do you look after your voice?

 

Excessive amounts of Red Stripe and the occasional lozenge.

 

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

The Very Hungry Caterpillar because children deserve good music.

 

 

Feature Image Photo Credit: Jim Mitcham

Gene will play at The Roundhouse in Camden, London on 9^th and 10^th October 2026. Tickets are on sale now, available from www.geneofficial.com