Waking up hungover at the Virgin Racing Weekend we found The Brute Chorus doing the very same thing in a nearby tent, fresh from their performance at the festival the previous night. So the only sensible thing to do was interview the band about their show, F1 and the Virgin Racing Weekend.

Greg Rose: So what was it like playing at the Virgin Racing Weekend?

The Brute Chorus: It was very fun actually. Really good fun. It was an unusual stage – we have never played on the back of a truck before.

GR: What is it like playing to crowds that you need to win over?

TBC: It is hard work. But it is more rewarding at the end, especially if you feel like you did the job and won lots of them over.

GR: So you are staying at the Virgin Racing Weekend all weekend – how does it compare to your usual camping experiences?

TBC: Oh, we've camped loads of times, it's festival season for us now and we're camping most weekends in dirty fields. This isn't a dirty field though, this is a really nice field compared to normal. This is a four-star field.

GR: How have the other festivals been going?

TBC: Ok, we've only done a couple so far. One was in London on our doorstep, then we have two next weekend and every weekend after that. The Virgin Racing Weekend is a nice stepping stone for us, on a nice level field and great facilities and stuff.

GR: Are you expecting to get treated as well at other festivals?

TBC: No, definitely not. We got free food here – it was nice. In theory we should get fed each show, but we're always hungry.

GR: What do you think about when music is mixed with Formula 1?

TBC: You kind of think of 70s supergroups, they always used to get behind F1 and get involved. I'm not sure it has much of a link to music these days, but this could be the dawning of a new era. With new teams like Virgin Racing and the Virgin Racing weekend maybe they can bring music back to Formula 1.

GR: What do you think of the image of Formula 1 now you are here?

TBC: We've never been near Formula 1 before so we have never seen what the demographic is like, but it is all people of all ages and all nations at this event. It just seems like a really good weekend out. It is like a music festival but louder! It's brilliant, we really like it.

GR: Everyone went mad for Fleetwood Mac's 'The Chain' when the DJ played it last night. Are you a fan?

TBC: Oh yeah, I really liked that, it was good. I'm a big fan of the 'Rumours' album in total – not sure if all of the band are though.

GR: Who do you think will win the Grand Prix today?

TBC: I hope Lewis Hamilton wins, but I have a sneaky feeling that the Red Bulls are pretty good around Silverstone. I think probably a Red Bull 1-2. But I hope Hamilton gets onto the podium. And I hope Virgin Racing do well too of course.

 - Red Bull's Mark Webber did win the British Grand Prix, while Lewis Hamilton made the podium as runner-up. Virgin Racing's Timo Glock also finished the race with a solid performance – so pretty good predicting from The Brute Chorus there.

GR: What do you think of Virgin Racing's performance in F1 so far?

TBC: I am a follower of F1 generally and Virgin Racing. It is quite interesting to see how the new teams have battled with each other over the year. It has been another aspect to Formula 1. A lot of people have criticised those teams for being too slow and things like that. But I think it is brilliant having them out there. And they can only get better. Virgin Racing are in it for the long haul as well so it should be quite interesting over the next few years.

GR: All of the drivers and teams seem to intermingle at Grand Prixs and there is a festival atmosphere here. Do you think it is the same as at music festivals?

TBC: Yeah, it is totally like that. In the different areas of festivals all of the bands and support staff get mingling and it seems the same here. I don't know whether the drivers come down to the field and have a drink with the fans – the lead singers usually get sent off to some special area. But no, it is very similar to a music festival atmosphere.

- Virgin Racing drivers Timo Glock and Lucas Di Grassi did indeed take time out to come down to the Virgin Racing Weekend to give an entertaining talk and meet their fans. So there.

GR: What is going on with The Brute Chorus music-wise?

TBC: We have got a new album coming out in September called 'How The Cage Bird Sings'. So we are really gearing up for that. We have got a single before it in August called 'Heaven' and then we will be on tour through the autumn around England and then Europe. So yeah – we will be around.

As they just said, The Brute Chorus will be playing live in a town quite possibly near you soon. Here are their upcoming gigs:

15 Jul 2010 Trees Festival Nr Cheltenham   
18 Jul 2010 Cock Rock Festival Cockermouth
25 Jul 2010 Secret Garden Party Huntingdon, Cambridge   
31 Jul 2010 Y-Not Festival Matlock, Matlock    
6 Aug 2010 Standon Calling (DJ Set)
13 Aug 2010 Moor Music Festival Nr Skipton, Yorkshire   
8 Sep 2010 Album Party @ The Luminaire London
16 Sep 2010 Ruby Lounge Manchester
17 Sep 2010 The Flapper Birmingham
18 Sep 2010 The Mad Ferret Preston   
23 Sep 2010 West End Centre Aldershot    
24 Sep 2010 Buffalo Bar Cardiff
25 Sep 2010 Portland Arms Cambridge

Greg Rose