MCBRIDE ON MIDGETS, MUSIC AND REMARKABLE MOMENTS 

By RubySage

2 October 2026

I will never forget meeting Sean McBride, the voice of #jollingwithseanmcbride on BurgStudo.Online.  It was just over three and a bit years ago at ,what was then , Studio 69.  It was lateish into the evening and I was filled to the brim with Tequilla induced confidence.  

I had, (obviously) previously listened to his show and when we were introduced, I commented on his awesome show, followed by , " There is just one thing missing on your show....ME!" ...and so...Ruby's Review was born.  Now, a good three years later and still going strong, I discovered that I, infact did not know as much as I imagined I did about Sean Mc Bride. ...and, apprently, Im not the only one... 

This was discovered a few weeks ago at a gig I hosted.  The Hot and Happening band, Midget Submarine was on the line up and when it came time for them to play...who jumps onto the drums and kills it ?... non other that our very own, Sean Mc Bride!!.. I admit, I did know beforehand that he had joined the band...but I had no idea just how good a drummer this buddy of mine actually is!! 

That night of the gig, standing in the crowd amongst the audience, I kept hearing the same sentiment utterered in awe and disbelief a couple of times over... it went a little something like this, "  is that Sean Mc Bride!? " and  "I didnt know he played drums!!"   

Realising I had my work cut out for me in keeping you, my awesome and valued readers and listeners, informed on what tickels my fancy of late... It only stood to reason that I needed to get the low down on all things Sean McBride . 

So here you go ...all you need to know on the imfamous Sean McBride:

1.Q: Who is Sean Mc Bride... The man behind the radio voice, (and now) on and off stage.

A:  A work in progress, moulded through mistakes, poor decisions and spontaneity. Yet, here I am, getting on with it. What’s for dinner?

2 .Q: When (where, who, how) did your music journey start?

A: I had a good music teacher in Primary school and I sang a lot in the school choir and drama club. But, my introduction was going to my mate’s house and watching him play his new drum set. I was hooked at that point and actually bought that kit from him when he upgraded. I later studied at the Institute of Modern Music in Brighton to become a professional performer and Muso.

3. Q: And did you always know that you wanted to venture into music journalism?

A: No, I had a taste of radio broadcasting with Horizon FM in the West Rand. I was with them for about 6 months before I was unceremoniously sacked by the owner back in 2000. I got back into radio through my friend Barbara Hynek and joined Big George Digital around 2021.  Big George Dissolved and after we (family) sold our Dry Cleaning/Laundry Businesses I joined Doors Radio with the infamous “Brad” then when that dissolved after the Open Air Fiasco I joined Burg Studio, where I have remained. The show has evolved over that time to what it is now. It’s been quite the adventure actually. Otherwise, this wasn’t in the life plan.

4.Q : How / when did you start hosting #jollingwithseanmcbride?

A: #jolling started with Doors Radio. About 3 years back now. Burg were good enough to allow me to continue to build the concept with them and as they say, the rest was history.  God Knows where it will lead, but essentially, I was listening to FM radio and the artist being interviewed was asking what Marvel Character or flavour muffin (or whatever retarded crap) they would be and the interview was a complete wash out. That’s when #jolling really became what it was, a platform for up and comers and established artists to promote their music and be taken seriously as serious musicians. This is how we build an industry.

5. Q: Aaaaaaand now we've discovered that you are the drummer for Midget submarine... How did that happen!? More than half of us ( I'm guessing) didn't even know you played drums!

A: I studied Drums in England. It was my Instrument during my BA with BIMM (Brighton Institute of Modern Music) and The University of Sussex. 

I did all my drumming in England. I retired from Drums when I moved back to South Africa. I thought music was over for me. I fronted the Memories Jam Trio for a while then started the broadcast. Ruby’s Review featured Midget Submarine and “Lola the Steamroller” …I got to know Neil Branfield, and we started hanging out at gigs and when I found out he needed a back up drummer, I didn’t hesitate to offer. Midget Submarine is the only band I would have come out of retirement for. I adore Neil’s song writing and am very excited by the band at the moment with Josh Pearlson recently joining on lead guitar. I have also got to know the phenomena that is Eleazar Strachan and his out of the box thinking. Hopefully we can keep things together as a 4 piece for a while to come.

6. Q: What else can you do?( I saw / heard you on backup vox at the last MS show)

A: I fronted for the Memories Jam Trio and played the Ukulele and sang. Sing. I play the Bodhran which is the Irish Folk Drum. I’d love to explore that in more detail at some point. I’d want to find time to write music more, I have been writing lyrics for bands for a long time now. Otherwise, I have recently had a taste of live DJing and have been learning that skill at the moment. It’s an odd concept Djing and have a lot more respect for that skill set now.

7. Q: Now's the time to spill the beans...tell us about your Previous bands etc?

A: In South Africa I fronted the Memories Jam Trio and we had a good run. We dissolved and that was it. Otherwise in England I played in many groups and projects that all dissolved. I had some success with a covers band called the Ginger Flowers that had a good run in Sussex and filled out venues in East and West Sussex.

8. Q: Growing up, who were your greatest musical influencers?

A: Led Zeppelin and Rory Gallagher and his trio “Taste” really got me into rock and blues. The Beatles maintained a massive song writing presence, the (thinking outside the box) songwriting. Otherwise, Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins and his drummer Jimmy Chamberlain. Weirdly , I was more into frontmen/women than drummers. I always found songwriters interesting, Paul Simon for example. Such a talent and Graceland could be the best album ever made in my opinion. Dylan, Bowie, Van Morrison. I was raised on these people. Essentially, the Vinyls stored away in my parents shelf, awaiting discovery from anyone bold enough to try. Norah Jones needs to be mentioned. She still takes my breath away. I want to have babies with her and raise a musical family. Marry me Norah.

9. Q: Noteworthy /brag rights...?

A: I once had an argument with John Lydon in a Hotel I was working in in London. I was the security guard on site and he had locked the fire door with a chain. I was not made aware of this in the handover. I banged on the door and heard a padlock click open and the chain unwrap itself from the door handles. The door swung open and John Lydon stood in from of me and asked, “What the fuck do you want?” We then fought about the legality of such an act and he eventually told me to fuck off and get a life. I then shook his hand and he laughed at me when I told him that I was a fan. Otherwise, my degree was a proud day for me as I was told I was incapable of such a thing and all my projects, all the failures and all the characters in my journey that have moulded my life to this point. I think of them all every day. Music man, it’s a dynamic thing. Light and Shade.

10. Q: Any singles / albums?

A: Sure, Memories Jam Trio released some great original music. I am so proud of those songs and what we managed to do with a ukulele. Check them out on your favourite streaming platform. Otherwise, zero releases in England. The technology wasn’t there yet.

11. Q: One word of advice for new musos/ new bands ?

A: You need to be able to make money. If music is your passion then find a way to make income to allow you to make music with no pressure on the art to make a living for you. If you have a decent income then you don’t need to compromise on your original music. You can develop that instead of playing covers on the weekend. Well assuming you want to do original music. If you want to be a working muso and want a guarantee, then learn the bass and learn to do harmony vocals. You will always work if you do. Oh, and be reliable, turn up to rehearsal and DON’T BE A FUCKING DICK.

12. Q: One fun fact that we don't know about you...

A: I think my Chihuahua speaks English. I make a savage Spaghetti Bolognaise.

13. Q: Share one 'most embarrassing' moment On or off stage/ Radio .

A: I was recording a demo for a guy and completely fucked the recording. I was unorepared for the recording and turned up hung over. They got someone else to do it afterwards. It haunts me to this day how bad I was in that session. I was MCing the Korn and Muse tribute at Rialway and forgot the name of the Muse tribute ‘Hysteria” ..Nightmare. Merrick Kyle still tae the piss out of me for that epic mess up.

14. Q: What is your favourite sound unrelated to music?

A: I heard whales singing underwater on the Aliwal Shoal on the South Coast. Sound of Rain still fills me with hope. A woman in orgasm.

15.Q:  Share one useless real world talent you have.

A: Turns out I am a decent English Teacher. I can budget fairly well. I can pour a decent pint of beer. Oh and I can cook well. I‘d make a pretty good housewife actually. (If any lady CA’s need a date)

16. Q: If you could change one thing in the local music scene, what would it be?

A: Nothing, you have to earn it. It will build and the people will come when it’s good.

17.Q:  Do you sing in the shower? And if so.. What songs?

A: Whatever is on my mind at the time. But I sing a lot in general. Particularly to the dog. Nunu is quite fond of my Meatloaf impressions.

18.Q:  What do you think distinguishes a great album /EP/single from a good one?

A: The small details in the songs and the emotional connection of the lyrics. A great songwriter wants to reach people and touch their hearts in some way. Being deep without trying too hard. It’s a gift few have.

19. Q: What trends are you currently seeing in the music industry?

A: Punk and grunge is back. In the black community as well, the Punk thing happening Soweto is pretty interesting. Something special is going to happen in Johannesburg soon. You heard it here first.

20. Q: How has the rise of digital media changed the music scene if at all?

A: The industry has evolved greatly, and it will find itself again in some form. Musicians are currently trying to figure out how to replace to loss of the central product that we used to have with CDs, tapes and vinyl. I am hoping for CD’s return as the main option, spilling over into tape and vinyl. People want something to hold, something tangible that will become part of them over time. Otherwise, I am enjoying the DIY aspect of the industry now. I, you, everybody can write and record a song and distribute it online now. I think that is incredible considering the alternative a few decades ago. I also love the fact I can market from my house. Digital for the win. !

  Catch the full review here:  https://musiciansdomain.com/activity/p/8298/