Exclusive: Cleargreen's Aleister Staley on Manchester United & the "People" single

Cleargreen is a quartet comprised of Aleister "Ali" Staley (vocals/guitar), Liam Mciver (vocals/bass), Josh Haworth (lead guitar) and Mike Wilcock (drums). With this unrelenting lineup Cleargreen has started to cause some rumblings across the Northern U.K. and London alike, having been listed within Fred Perry's "Top Manchester Bands You Need To Hear" list beyond playing big hometown shows at Manchester's 02 Ritz and Rebellion.

"People" is the latest single from Cleargreen, as released last month. Musically speaking, it shows the band's strength to create strong hooks and melody lines and big choruses, borrowing from their influences of 1960s pop, modern guitar-based pop, and Stick Fingers alike.

I spoke with Staley -- who co-founded the band in 2012 -- on behalf of Sportskeeda about his love of Manchester United and love. Additional info on Cleargreen can be found online at www.cleargreenhq.com.

I've read that you are a fan of Manchester United. How did you first get invested into the team? Has Manchester United always been your team?

Aleister Staley: My dad supports United, so I had to. One of my first memories is watching Giggs score that goal in the FA Cup against Arsenal. I couldn't believe what i was seeing, obviously the run was genius but the way he smashes it into the roof of the net.

So they've always been my team, it's a sin to go swapping and changing your team. You just can't do that.

How do you think Manchester United is looking for this coming season?

Aleister Staley: I'm looking forward to next season. I'm optimistic, I always am. I'm excited to see the new signings, [Aaron] Wan-Bissaka and [Daniel] James. Hopefully we can bring another couple players in, a midfielder and a center back and I think we could do alright.

We need players that want to play for United and understand what it means to play for us. I just hope [Mason] Greenwood, [Tahith] Chong and the other kids get chances to show what they can do, I think they will under Ole [Gunnar Solskjær].

Do you have a favorite player on the team?

Aleister Staley: It was [Ander] Herrera, but he's obviously just joined PSG. I think we should've done more to make sure he stayed. But I'd say now its between [David] De Gea, who is undoubtedly our best player or [Marcus] Rashford.

What about an all-time favorite player?

Aleister Staley: My all time favorite has to be Paul Scholes. Everything about his game. Pinging cross field passes or slamming them in from 20-odd yards. All about football, never any shenanigans. Absolute baller.

How often do you get to go to Manchester United games?

Aleister Staley: Nowhere near as often as I'd like to!

Do any other sports come close for you? Or is it all about football for you?

Aleister Staley: No. No other sport comes close at all. I'll watch or play other sports occasionally, but nothing could come near football. How could it?

Sports aside, what are you currently working on?

Aleister Staley: Well we've just released a single, "People," on June 28th, so that's out there now. We've been in the studio and got some more tracks boxed off and ready to go, so there should be quite a bit of music coming in the last half of the year. We're buzzing about these tunes, we definitely taken it up a notch. They're something else. We're itching to get em out.

Do you like the comparisons that people are making about your band to Oasis and the Arctic Monkeys?

Aleister Staley: I don't mind it. Arctic Monkeys were probably the band that set it all off for me. I remember the "I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor" video properly changed everything for me. And Oasis are ingrained in me, one of the greats. So yeah, I don't mind it.

Is there a career accomplishment you are most proud of?

Aleister Staley: Just sticking at it is an accomplishment. Not being downhearted by things. Having a vision, believing in it and sticking by it. You got to have the will power to keep going and keep creating.

Finally, Aleister, any last words for the kids?

Aleister Staley: Do anything. Big up AFC Kearsley.