“We want to heighten the sense of chaos that happens.” 20 years of ‘Young For Eternity’ and a new Rock N Roll Queen. The Subways INTERVIEWED

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Category: news
Updated: 14th November 2025
Written by Bryony Mezzatesta
“We want to heighten the sense of chaos that happens.” 20 years of ‘Young For Eternity’ and a new Rock N Roll Queen. The Subways INTERVIEWED

A frightfully British September morning- frontman Billy Lunn hunkers down in his studio as we enter into a mood-boosting chat about life as 33.3% of Indie’s most treasured institution. The Subways are going back on tour.

Saying it’s been 20 years since the band’s genesis and that ‘Young For Eternity’ is no longer in its teenage years highlights the sheer tenacity that tracks such as ‘Oh Yeah’, ‘I Want To Hear What You Have Got To Say’, and the enduring ‘Rock & Roll Queen’ have in their staying power. This is still one heck of an album, and sincerely deserves celebration. It doesn’t take much for the focus of their jubilation to rest on fans’ fond memories, bringing a fresh new version of their firm favourite on this list.

“Over the years, we have been shaking up the way we play the songs, and that comes as a consequence of just being on tour all the time, and of entertaining yourselves as much as the audience. Rock & Roll Queen is the song we always end our set on, as the audience tends to go pretty nuts, and it gives me an opportunity to go into the crowd, so we've changed the song to heighten that sense of chaos that happens.”

Lunn tells me about their time with producer Dan Lucas in the studio, recording a refreshed version of the track, his voice turning the spotlight on to the immense pride felt collectively by the band over the result. “All we really wanted to do was to capture that energy. We have adjusted the structure; it’s an extended middle section, a bigger build into the last chorus.” Rock & Roll Queen (Taylor’s Version) is available to stream now.

Drainpipe jeans and post-punk revival in full force, the early 00s represent an iconic decade for drastic change to the British music scene. Bands such as The Libertines, The Strokes, The Von Bondies pioneering Indie sleaze and garage rock. The Subways developing their familiar indie/pop-rock/pop punk sound alongside these flagbearers and claiming their rightful spot in the 2005 hall of fame at the inception of their career. The following two decades led to the release of no less than five studio albums for the band, and a host of well-loved tracks that were spat out and claimed by their righteous and committed fanbase.

“There’s not one standalone performance that hit me, like a realisation that we’d made it, but there were small moments that represent the feeling and will always stick with me.” Lunn then launches with fervour into a tale of fan meets idol warm enough to make anyone’s heart grow. If you’re a true Subways fan, you’ll know that football’s Arsenal is Billy’s other raison d’être... “I went to an Arsenal match with Josh, actually, when he was still in the band. It must have been 2011/2012, and we were playing Southampton, and er, Josh & I when we go to a match, we have a drink before, watch the match, then find a pub for after. We were in the pub feeling joyous because we’d beaten them something like 3-0, and across the other side of the bar I saw this guy...” At this point, my signal fell out, and I was left dangling in frustrating suspense. You know when your TV pauses at a crucial moment and you passive-aggressively shout until the circle ceases its doomed infinity swirl? This. On its return, it turns out the bar guy was sporting a rather impressive Subways tattoo and couldn't believe his eyes when its subject was standing there before him in full Arsenal attire. For Billy, this marked a moment of realisation that they really do still mean so much to so many.

Fast forward to November, and the band embarks on a full UK & EU tour, taking their soon-to-be-released compilation ‘When I’m With You’ (Pre-order here) out on the road for the first time. According to Lunn, fans should expect dancing, singing, fun, nostalgia, stage dives, and a few new tracks to boot. We’ve heard on the grapevine that it won't be too long a wait for a sneaky listen pre-tour either.

“The career-spanning ‘When I’m With You’ is structured to reflect the band’s live set, taking in their high impact debut single ‘Oh Yeah’ and the original version of ‘Rock & Roll Queen’, through to early fan favourites like ‘With You’ and recent highlights such as ‘You Kill My Cool’. But there is much more to come in The Subways’ story, as represented by two new songs: ‘I Need To Feel You Closer’ and ‘Passenger’s Side’. The new recordings also mark the album debut of Camille, who joined in 2023.” - Fear PR

Tickets for ‘The Subways For Eternity’ Tour can be found HERE.


Photo Credit Laura Lewis