Gallows prove they're not as scary as they pretend to be
They had a meteoric rise to fame, conquered the music industry, set the live circuit alight and put a rocket up the arse of your average indie kid. Gallows are back with a vengeance, but can they handle meeting DYSP?
The rather swanky surroundings of Kensington High Street is not where you’d expect to find tattoo-clad punk-rockers but that’s exactly where they were, doing a press junket for the release of aptly-titled album Grey Britain, “We’re learning lots about each other,” bassist Stuart explains, “our drummer bit his tongue off and Frank [lead singer] drinks horse spunk before getting on stage.” I’m assured that neither of these revelations is actually true!
Fresh from the weekend, I asked what the band got up to; it ranged from watching Tottenham play to supporting the girlfriend who was performing in Manchester - all quite normal so far…apart from the whole Spurs thing, but we won’t dwell on that.
Gallows have been busy recording the follow-up to debut album Orchestra of Wolves, which was released in 2006. The new album evolved from working with super producer Gareth Richardson (Rage Against The Machine, Rise Against) and jamming with contemporaries Cancer Bats, Rolo Tomassi and Biffy Clyro, “Simon [Biffy’s singer] spoke to Gareth Richardson saying he would like to speak to us and we wrote a great track that would really suit his haunting vocals.” Frank talked about the collaborations, “the other bands we met while on the Warp Tour and were around when we recorded, so thought why not have them do the backing vocals.” Stuart also revealed that he would like to do a collaboration of different sorts with Lilly Allen, ahem!
Working with such a well-respected producer, especially with the credentials of Richardson would’ve been enough to intimidate even Bono, but not Gallows, “Gareth [producer] didn’t really bring anything to the album as it’s not what we wanted, it’s us and didn’t want someone to come in and start changing things. He brought technical knowledge and suggested adding orchestra and Abbey Road, just because he knows about sound” Guitarist Laurent and Stuart explained.
The single is a cover version of a Ruts song and proceeds will be donated to Marie Curie in honour of guitarist Paul Fox who lost his battle to cancer in 2007. “We didn’t want it to be a single, it was just something we were having fun with. Don’t really want a potential hit to be a song we didn’t write, but the label went crazy for it and wanted to release it as a single.” Frank said looking rather relaxed while reclining on a red Ikea sofa.
The album certainly is a triumph for the band, remaining classically Gallows but demonstrating how they have grown and progressed. Despite shouty vocals and creating a wall of noise, the single has still manage to make it to Radio 1 drive-time playlist, “bands like Franz Ferdinand wanted to make music to dance to, but everyone is doing it now and making music that has nothing to say.” Frank retorts.
I get the sense of a little disillusionment at the music industry, “We are the music industry’s biggest mistake.” Frank said, “we were just doing our thing and we haven’t changed what we do and it’s just blown up.” Since their formation in 2005, the band has been gone from strength to strength, gaining commercial success as well as an underground following, with tastemakers like Zane Lowe and NME embracing them, “it just happened, we didn’t really expected it and don’t know why it happened.” Stuart added. Since then an army of punk bands have descended onto the scene, “People are imitating what we did three years ago with the first album and we’ve moved on, so will be out-of-date. Why try being the new Gallows? Why not try doing your own thing that’s exciting and different.” Frank continued.
Headlining the Lock-Up Stage at 2008’s Reading Festival was one of the bands ambitions, having patronised that tent as music fans. “We don’t really have goals, we just lucky to have got where we are and everything is a dream. An amazing moment was while we were in Kyoto we were in a cemetery on a mountain and suddenly we realised how far we’d come and how much we’d achieved.” The band unanimously agreed as they drifted off in a completive silence.
The band are famed for the anarchic live shows; hitting the road next month for a gruelling schedule of live shows in the UK, Europe and USA over the summer months. Expect Frank hanging from the rafters, bantering with a tirade of anger and contempt. I wanted to know just where all this energy and bile comes from to perform night after night, “We’re just backstage, warming-up we might look out and say ‘lots of people’ and then we just get on-stage and do it. You just feed of the audience, cus we have passion for performing” explains Stuart. I was a bit disappointed that there wasn't more backstage rituals like sacrificing animals or smashing up mum’s Royal Dolton. Being on the road for such a long time can be testing for even the hardest of nuts, “it’s a double-edge sword, when you’re at home you want to be on the road and when you’re on the road you miss home.” Stuart continues. It’s clear to see when meeting them and seeing them live that there is a genuine friendship, as they laugh and joke with each other. They seem very down to earth and surprised by the success they've had.
London club Madam JoJo’s hosted the album launch for Grey Britain. It wasn’t as chaotic as their normal live shows, as the audience was made up of industry bods. This didn’t stop the band jumping into the crowd, commanding mosh-circles and performing the show from all over the venue. The highlight was seeing Frank getting a lady who could've been someone’s mum sing the chorus before heavy guitars ripped through the tiny venue.
Check this out for a taster but if you’re planning on seeing them in a venue near you, be sure to pack some ear-plugs and a crash helmet!
First published 02.03.2009
The rather swanky surroundings of Kensington High Street is not where you’d expect to find tattoo-clad punk-rockers but that’s exactly where they were, doing a press junket for the release of aptly-titled album Grey Britain, “We’re learning lots about each other,” bassist Stuart explains, “our drummer bit his tongue off and Frank [lead singer] drinks horse spunk before getting on stage.” I’m assured that neither of these revelations is actually true!
Fresh from the weekend, I asked what the band got up to; it ranged from watching Tottenham play to supporting the girlfriend who was performing in Manchester - all quite normal so far…apart from the whole Spurs thing, but we won’t dwell on that.
Gallows have been busy recording the follow-up to debut album Orchestra of Wolves, which was released in 2006. The new album evolved from working with super producer Gareth Richardson (Rage Against The Machine, Rise Against) and jamming with contemporaries Cancer Bats, Rolo Tomassi and Biffy Clyro, “Simon [Biffy’s singer] spoke to Gareth Richardson saying he would like to speak to us and we wrote a great track that would really suit his haunting vocals.” Frank talked about the collaborations, “the other bands we met while on the Warp Tour and were around when we recorded, so thought why not have them do the backing vocals.” Stuart also revealed that he would like to do a collaboration of different sorts with Lilly Allen, ahem!
Working with such a well-respected producer, especially with the credentials of Richardson would’ve been enough to intimidate even Bono, but not Gallows, “Gareth [producer] didn’t really bring anything to the album as it’s not what we wanted, it’s us and didn’t want someone to come in and start changing things. He brought technical knowledge and suggested adding orchestra and Abbey Road, just because he knows about sound” Guitarist Laurent and Stuart explained.
The single is a cover version of a Ruts song and proceeds will be donated to Marie Curie in honour of guitarist Paul Fox who lost his battle to cancer in 2007. “We didn’t want it to be a single, it was just something we were having fun with. Don’t really want a potential hit to be a song we didn’t write, but the label went crazy for it and wanted to release it as a single.” Frank said looking rather relaxed while reclining on a red Ikea sofa.
The album certainly is a triumph for the band, remaining classically Gallows but demonstrating how they have grown and progressed. Despite shouty vocals and creating a wall of noise, the single has still manage to make it to Radio 1 drive-time playlist, “bands like Franz Ferdinand wanted to make music to dance to, but everyone is doing it now and making music that has nothing to say.” Frank retorts.
I get the sense of a little disillusionment at the music industry, “We are the music industry’s biggest mistake.” Frank said, “we were just doing our thing and we haven’t changed what we do and it’s just blown up.” Since their formation in 2005, the band has been gone from strength to strength, gaining commercial success as well as an underground following, with tastemakers like Zane Lowe and NME embracing them, “it just happened, we didn’t really expected it and don’t know why it happened.” Stuart added. Since then an army of punk bands have descended onto the scene, “People are imitating what we did three years ago with the first album and we’ve moved on, so will be out-of-date. Why try being the new Gallows? Why not try doing your own thing that’s exciting and different.” Frank continued.
Headlining the Lock-Up Stage at 2008’s Reading Festival was one of the bands ambitions, having patronised that tent as music fans. “We don’t really have goals, we just lucky to have got where we are and everything is a dream. An amazing moment was while we were in Kyoto we were in a cemetery on a mountain and suddenly we realised how far we’d come and how much we’d achieved.” The band unanimously agreed as they drifted off in a completive silence.
The band are famed for the anarchic live shows; hitting the road next month for a gruelling schedule of live shows in the UK, Europe and USA over the summer months. Expect Frank hanging from the rafters, bantering with a tirade of anger and contempt. I wanted to know just where all this energy and bile comes from to perform night after night, “We’re just backstage, warming-up we might look out and say ‘lots of people’ and then we just get on-stage and do it. You just feed of the audience, cus we have passion for performing” explains Stuart. I was a bit disappointed that there wasn't more backstage rituals like sacrificing animals or smashing up mum’s Royal Dolton. Being on the road for such a long time can be testing for even the hardest of nuts, “it’s a double-edge sword, when you’re at home you want to be on the road and when you’re on the road you miss home.” Stuart continues. It’s clear to see when meeting them and seeing them live that there is a genuine friendship, as they laugh and joke with each other. They seem very down to earth and surprised by the success they've had.
London club Madam JoJo’s hosted the album launch for Grey Britain. It wasn’t as chaotic as their normal live shows, as the audience was made up of industry bods. This didn’t stop the band jumping into the crowd, commanding mosh-circles and performing the show from all over the venue. The highlight was seeing Frank getting a lady who could've been someone’s mum sing the chorus before heavy guitars ripped through the tiny venue.
Check this out for a taster but if you’re planning on seeing them in a venue near you, be sure to pack some ear-plugs and a crash helmet!
First published 02.03.2009
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