
Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip
Distraction Pieces, with Scroobius Pip, is one the UK's biggest and longest running independent podcasts.Previous guests include Michael Fassbender, Mary J Blige, Stephen Graham, Florence Pugh, Spike Lee, Lena Headey, Stewart Lee, Kathy Burke, Dizzee Rascal, Aisling Bea, Kano, Adam Buxton, Vicky McClure, Karl Pilkington, Michaela Coel, Louis Theroux, Tim Key and many more.Available on acast, iTunes and all good podcast outlets. Download, subscribe, rate & review now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes

Mar 21, 2025 • 1h 25min
Kathy Burke (Where There's A Will There's A Wake / Blitz / Nil By Mouth) • Friday Rewind
emocleW, emocleW, emocleW to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip!This is your bonus FRIDAY REWIND episode! Today, we catch up with Kathy Burke, originally episode 96 from 2016-05-03.Original writeup below!–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Such a nice chat with Pip and Kathy, as we get to join and listen in on all aspects of Kathy's diverse and strong-willed career, from her beginnings and early days in the Harry Enfield show and of course as half of Kevin & Perry, her enthralling role in the heavy Gary Oldman directed 'Nil By Mouth', and right up to her changes in path and the refinement of her journey as she takes it - with a healthy element of theatre too. Inspiring throughout as we hear not only her shining glories but her regrets too, as well as her take on the social media universe (and her place within it!). Great stuff. Now listen!PIP'S PATREON PAGE if you're of a supporting natureIMDBWHERE THERE'S A WILL THERE'S A WAKEONLINEPIP TWITCH • (music stuff)PIP INSTAGRAMSPEECH DEVELOPMENT WEBSTOREPIP TWITTERPIP IMDBPOD BIBLE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 19, 2025 • 1h 8min
Joe Talbot (Idles): fighting the good fight, but peacefully #610
Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip!This week Pip is joined by JOE TALBOT of IDLES for an encore episode!An in person episode for this follow up appearance, as the first time round was a Zoom-er in the heat of the lockdown times. So much has changed, for the band, for Joe himself, and the world on the whole. The last 5 years or so has been a cyclone of all sorts, and living through it while keeping a cool and level head is an insurmountable goal. Thankfully creation and art and music are not in short supply, no matter what some of the highers might want us to think, and Joe is proof of that. A wide ranging chat but with an anchor of sorts, which addresses many heavy hitting subjects including class, poverty, politics, socials, reading, mental health, touring, being in a band in general and of course, tinned fish. The amount of times I find myself typing that, good god. Enjoy, it's a goody...PIP'S PATREON PAGE if you're of a supporting natureDANCERGIFT HORSEJOE INSTAGRAMIDLES INSTAGRAMIDLES LINKSSPEECH DEVELOPMENT WEBSTOREPIP TWITCH • (music stuff)PIP INSTAGRAMPIP TWITTERPIP PATREONPIP IMDBPOD BIBLE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 14, 2025 • 1h 5min
Robert Sheehan (The Umbrella Academy / Young Offenders / Mortal Engines) • Friday Rewind
emocleW, emocleW, emocleW to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip!This is your bonus FRIDAY REWIND episode! Today, we catch up with Robert Sheehan, originally episode 128 from 2016-12-17.Original writeup below!–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––As ever it's a heavyweight slammer of an episode as this week's guest of honour is television and big screen's Robert Sheehan! A delightful peek behind the curtain of the wild hectic acting game with Ireland's very own Robert, who drops gold at every step of this awesome chat with Pip. Everything from battling his caffeine demons, growing up in the easy to say and hard to spell Portlaoise, his acting career ladder and what each step entailed, his starring role on the amazing 'Misfits', his insane and dream (nightmare?)-like experiences on the set of his new film 'Jet Trash' (out on Friday 9th December!), and all kinds of nail-biting gossip from all over the set of his frenetic journey! Grand stuff - super energetic and inspiring goodies right here from a glowing gem of an actor.PIP'S PATREON PAGE if you're of a supporting natureIMDBINSTAGRAMPLAYING DEAD bookPIP TWITCH • (music stuff)PIP INSTAGRAMSPEECH DEVELOPMENT WEBSTOREPIP TWITTERPIP IMDBPOD BIBLE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 12, 2025 • 1h 24min
Kate Nash & Maedb Joy: sex work is work, and not exclusive to artistry #609
Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip!This week Pip is joined by two very special guests - musician and actor KATE NASH and multi-discipline performer and activist MAEDB JOY!An absolutely crucial episode at any given moment, but especially poignant now with things as they are. This description will of course not do justice to the entire hour-plus conversation but let's just say, whatever your reaction might be to the term 'sex work', you'll find a huge amount to love and learn from this one. You'll likely have seen the commotion surrounding Kate's 'Butts For Tour Buses' campiagn, which aimed to shine a light on the broken music industry while generating some income to sustain her own music career - Kate goes into all of that and so much more, and is joined by Maedb who is a huge influence and massively respected creative presence on the scene. A delightful and empassioned conversation, held in perfect balance, and one which will do a lot to deliver information, clarity, perspective and context at a time when such things are tough to come by. Enjoy, investigate, and take it all in.PIP'S PATREON PAGE if you're of a supporting natureONLINE (Kate links are all here)INSTAGRAMTAKE PART IN THE SURVEY!!!MAEDB ONLINEMAEDBE INSTAGRAMSPEECH DEVELOPMENT WEBSTOREPIP TWITCH • (music stuff)PIP INSTAGRAMPIP TWITTERPIP PATREONPIP IMDBPOD BIBLE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 7, 2025 • 58min
Cosmo Jarvis (Shogun / Calm With Horses / Lady Macbeth) • Friday Rewind
emocleW, emocleW, emocleW to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip!This is your bonus FRIDAY REWIND episode! Today, we catch up with Cosmo Jarvis, originally episode 316 from 2020-03-11.Original writeup below!–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Following on perfectly from last week’s episode with Niamh Algar, in that she and Cosmo star in ‘Calm With Horses’, which is coming to cinemas very soon - the perfect follow on episode right here! You may know Cosmo from his starring turns in Lady Macbeth, or maybe Peaky Blinders - his presence leaves a long lasting impression in whatever you will see him in, and it’s a treat to hear him talk about the craft and hear his insights into it, especially when mirrored with Pip’s. So kicking things off with some good pizza chat up-top, we lead effortlessly into his dealings with type 1 diabetes, which blossoms into the power of encouragement and learning on the job, life changing moments which somehow don’t change life, the ease of dipping your toe into the creative output pool and whether it’s a good thing or not, indeed the forthcoming Calm With Horses, and loads of respectful talk about his co-stars and actors / directors he’s worked with. Excellent stuff, great to hear from him!PIP'S PATREON PAGE if you're of a supporting natureIMDBINSTAGRAMSHOGUNPIP TWITCH • (music stuff)PIP INSTAGRAMSPEECH DEVELOPMENT WEBSTOREPIP TWITTERPIP IMDBPOD BIBLE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 5, 2025 • 1h 15min
John Robins: the many moods of podcasting, mental health, and Wordle (Elis & John / How Do You Cope / Howl) #608
Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip!This week Pip is joined by comic and podcaster and friend to us all, JOHN ROBINS!A naturally evolving podcast which goes from subject to subject while remaining focused and sober at all times. It's almost as if the two people being recorded are podcast professionals. What kicks things off though is a very interesting and revealing chat about mental health, considering the potential saturation with the constant pursuit of happiness (and 'optimisation fatigue'). Elsewhere you'll be treated to a rundown of ways John is similar to Pip, separating the Crossfit politics from the actual actions which are - all said and done - body movements, a good chunk on Wordle (so prepare for that if you are done with Wordle!), politics, toxic podcasting, time anxiety and the benefits thereof, and the joy of Lou Sanders! Because almost all of the world's issues can be solved by enjoying Lou Sanders. And Bonnie Prince Billy, which John and many of us (producer Buddy typing this...!) share. A ton to enjoy. Get started!PIP'S PATREON PAGE if you're of a supporting natureONLINEINSTAGRAMTOUR TICKETSPODCASTSVIDEOSSPEECH DEVELOPMENT WEBSTOREPIP TWITCH • (music stuff)PIP INSTAGRAMPIP TWITTERPIP PATREONPIP IMDBPOD BIBLE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 28, 2025 • 1h 15min
Florence Pugh (We Live In Time / Midsommar / Don't Worry Darling) • Friday Rewind
emocleW, emocleW, emocleW to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip!This is your bonus FRIDAY REWIND episode! Today, we catch up with Florence Pugh, originally episode 188 from 2018-02-07.Original writeup below!–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––A powerful conversation, full of energy and positivity and just pure satisfying goodness for your podcast enjoyment, as Pip and Florence get right down to it and cover everything from said favourite film Lady Macbeth (surely you’ve seen that by now and if not, amend that!), the subtle differences behind the scenes of indie and blockbuster films and merits of the former, the backlog of projects and the weirdness of doing promo several years after, her attitude towards nudity in film roles and how the media handles it versus how she handles it, her upcoming role as Paige in Fighting With My Family and the insane logistics of that, the dichotomy of murder on screen and nudity on screen and how it seems society in general is far more comfortable seeing violence, the female perspective as a director as opposed the male gaze, growing up in a loud family and her acting history and last but certainly not least, a pitch from she and Pip for a combined role in Peaky Blinders. How can they lose? One’s thing’s for sure - you won’t, so get yourself comfy and listen in won’t you!PIP'S PATREON PAGE if you're of a supporting natureIMDBINSTAGRAMPIP TWITCH • (music stuff)PIP INSTAGRAMSPEECH DEVELOPMENT WEBSTOREPIP TWITTERPIP IMDBPOD BIBLE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 26, 2025 • 1h 8min
Frank Carter: becoming a Sex Pistol and living a thousand lives (Gallows / Ratlesnakes / Pure Love / Rose Of Mercy) #607
Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip!This week Pip is joined by frontman of Gallows, Rattlesnakes, and now Sex Pistols, FRANK CARTER!It's been a very hectic decade, with a huge amount of the good being balanced out by the bad, but Frank's been present through it all and managed to keep one of the coolest heads you could know. Of course you will surely know Frank from all the bands listed above, and maybe you've been wondering what all that is actually like. Certainly one of the more historically pertinent bands he's currentlly part of might invite a lot of questions, being massively influential and indeed massively controversial for a panoply of reasos. All of this is explored, including untethered stage antics, navigating parenting, also navigating a pandemic while being a creative person, weaving through his many eras, gaming and Twitch and the realities of owning a tattoo studio (Rose Of Mercy, where this was recorded). It's been a decade since the first meeting with Frank - catch up time!PIP'S PATREON PAGE if you're of a supporting natureONLINEINSTAGRAMROSE OF MERCYDARK RAINBOWBRAMBLESSPEECH DEVELOPMENT WEBSTOREPIP TWITCH • (music stuff)PIP INSTAGRAMPIP TWITTERPIP PATREONPIP IMDBPOD BIBLE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 21, 2025 • 1h 17min
Riz Ahmed (Sound Of Metal / Nimona / Venom) • Friday Rewind
emocleW, emocleW, emocleW to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip!This is your bonus FRIDAY REWIND episode! Today, we catch up with Riz Ahmed, originally episode 16 from 2015-01-28.This episode is now over ten years old, at time of the Friday Rewind edition. So - NEEDLESS TO SAY though I'll say it anyway - that's a whole ten years of life and career. Whether that time has slipped past with the click of fingers or you've felt every single moment of it, this is a wonderful chance to view that snapshot back then. Riz's career and life are immensely inspirational whether you are involved in acting or music, or indeed if you've listened to this episode before. There is so much in this episode that still resonates (and will continue to), and so much that you can still glean from the wisdom of Riz. It's also amazing how you can listen and kind of verify everything that he had in mind back then against what later came into being, including an incredible lineup of film roles and production credits.PIP'S PATREON PAGE if you're of a supporting natureINSTAGRAMALL LINKS HEREPIP TWITCH • (music stuff)PIP INSTAGRAMSPEECH DEVELOPMENT WEBSTOREPIP TWITTERPIP IMDBPOD BIBLE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 19, 2025 • 1h 9min
Cody Frost: from bedroom to tattoo studio to stage, leaving no genre unchecked (Anatomy / Alligator / Process) #606
Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip!This week Pip is joined by genre hopping but always heavy musician CODY FROST!Cody's journey takes root in the days of the Kerrang cover CD, which will have influenced many like minded folk into the heavier side of musical styles (they've come a long way since AD/DC on the cover!). This is the journey of Cody and a very real, human approach to acheiving goals and getting to an achievable level of success. Turns out it takes more than sending a message to the universe and simply receiving all you want without any work. Cody's been doing things their own way and making some awesome friends along the way including none other than Enter Shikari (to the point of guesting on their work), all the while being awesome at tattoo and digital art, and brushing up on music production. Super inspiring even if you're not in this area of the musical graph!• NOTE! Sound oddities from 11m38s to 17m31s - entirely unavoidable and efforts were made to salvage the audio - this was the most ear-friendly route, but apologies for that. It doesn't last long.PIP'S PATREON PAGE if you're of a supporting natureONLINEINSTAGRAMBLOODSUCKAANATOMYSPEECH DEVELOPMENT WEBSTOREPIP TWITCH • (music stuff)PIP INSTAGRAMPIP TWITTERPIP PATREONPIP IMDBPOD BIBLE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.