Joel Stoker on his chart-threatening solo debut and what’s next for The Rifles
The Rifles frontman Joel Stoker has spoken to NME about the impending chart success of his debut solo album ‘The Undertow’ – despite no radio support and the record’s deeply personal themes – and the thrill of supporting Liam Gallagher at his recent low-key KOKO gig.The album – recorded virtually solo in Stoker’s shed, with only drummer Brendan O’Neill, Rifles keyboardist Dean Mumford and ex-Menswear member Stuart Black adding instrumentation – is sitting at Number 10 in the midweek album chart.The singer, who sets out on a smattering of solo shows in September, October and November, also revealed that The Rifles are back in the studio working on new material, after two decades of self-made success including four Top 40 albums. “Taken aback really. It didn’t even cross the mind, chart positions or anything like that.