Interview – Fest 7 Edition: Interview With Leatherface

I think it goes without saying that Leatherface is going to be one of the biggest highlights at The Fest 7. I had a chance recently to catch up with band members Dickie Hammond and Graeme Philliskirk to talk about the show and the possibility of new material from the band in the not-too-distant future.

You are finally playing The Fest. I don’t know about your feelings on the matter but it feels like a union that should have happened long ago. Regardless, we are all stoked. How did The Fest’s Tony Weinbender approach you about playing Fest 7?
Dickie Hammond: He approached us in Austin, TX. It sounded like a good idea so we agreed to play.
Graeme Philliskirk: Yeah, we had played at the Chaos In Texas Fest earlier this year and Tony spoke to Timmy Hefner [promoter] there. Timmy told Tony to deal with me to sort it. We had a beer, talked, e-mails were swapped, we all said “yes” and we booked the show. It does feel like a union that should have happened long ago and I think that was why we knew we had to come over.

Was it ever discussed before?
Dickie Hammond: Not while I’ve been back in the band in the past three years. Has it?
Graeme Philliskirk: Actually, it had been mentioned before as we knew a lot about the Fest. It has a great reputation. It’s like a family and you have to experience it and become a part of it. However, it was never discussed as a band. It was more e-mails flying about and then we would go off and do other things so it was never confirmed and carried out.

Read more after the jump.

Do you have any surprises lined up for the performance?
Graeme Philliskirk: [Laughs] Hopefully, we will all get there. I mean, I was just up in the Isle of Mull in Scotland, with a tent, axe and wood, in the middle of nowhere. I came back and then Frankie [Stubbs, vocals, guitar] and I flew over to Canada. I left him out there. He’s still there at the moment, wandering around. We parted and said we will meet in Gainesville. Let’s hope we do [laughs]. In fact, I’m amazed we got to Canada. We got drunk in Amsterdam and fell asleep. We had to wait so long for our connecting flight. We were up for two days.

Are there any bands you are really looking forward to seeing down there?
Dickie Hammond: When you do shows like this, there are always one or two bands people will tell you to look out for so if we are not too drunk, we will get to see them. Normally one or two, will blow you away.
Graeme Philliskirk: I think D4 are there, aren’t they? We played in Texas with them. It was great. Paddy [Costello, bassist for D4) stood next to me while we played. He kept coming over and shouting at me. It was funny. It would be good to see them again, as long as they keep their fucking clothes on [laughs]. Also, Dead to Me. We played some shows with them on the West Coast earlier this year. They were good. I also have to mention, Tiltwheel and Former Cell Mates

Are you guys working on any new material?
Dickie Hammond: Yes, we are writing a new album. [There are] loads of ideas flying around. It’s just getting together; our drummer lives on a farm in Germany. It takes time, plus we all have kids and responsibilities.
Graeme Philliskirk: We pretty much have set out an album. As Dickie said, it’s just taking time as we can’t get together as much as we would like but it is getting there. We are looking to have it finished next year.

Is the band planning on doing a full U.S. tour any time soon?
Dickie Hammond: When we complete the album, we will be touring, hopefully, all over the world.
Graeme Philliskirk: After this, we have a few shows to do and it will be the completion of the next album.

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The band have some gigs lined up after The Fest. Check them below. Who wants to join me in following them?

All shows with Leatherface, Tiltwheel, Former Cell Mates and the following bands.

November 2nd Gainesville FL @ The Fest 7

November 3rd Atlanta GA @ Drunken Unicorn with All Night Drug Prowling Wolves

November 4th Chattanooga TN @ J.J.’s Bohemia
with All Night Drug Prowling Wolves, Hidden Spots

November 5th Asheville NC @ Emerald Lounge
with All Night Drug Prowling Wolves

November 6th Athens GA @ Transmetropolitan with
All Night Drug Prowling Wolves

Nov 7th Jacksonville Beach FL @ Landshark Cafe
w/ dirty money, anchor arms, grabass charlestons.

Nov 8th Tampa Fl @ Transitions art gallery @
S.P.O.T with tim version, too many daves

Nov 9th Orlando FL @ Redlight Redlight with Monikers, Too Many Daves