Last year, everyone was losing their shit over U.K. punkers Gallows’ debut record, like they were some sort of punk rock saviors. Will they hit the sophomore slump with their new record? We will have to wait and see, for now check out an mp3 of their new track “Gold Dust” which is fast, snotty and clocks in at only a minute.
I was just reading the Village Voice and noticed a very descriptive account of UK-based hardcore screamers Gallows’ disastrous gig last Friday night at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. I heard from a few people it was bad but apparently a lack of moshing and too many tattoos drove frontman Frank Carter crazy. “This is the worst show we’ve ever played,” Carter proclaimed. “Thank you, Brooklyn, for being the worst crowd ever. Jacksonville was better.” Not surprisingly, a fight erupted with somebody punching Carter in the face, which turned into a full out brawl. I was curious to see how their first headlining US tour would go. They say there is no such thing as bad press I suppose though.
You can check out the review in the latest Village Voice, out now.
Anyone who thinks Britain’s latest punk rock exports Gallows aren’t getting their fair share of attention haven’t been reading many music magazines. The band has been called everything from “the world’s most exciting new band,” to punk rock’s latest saviours. For such a young band, the backlash was inevitable. But Gallows could care less. In fact, say it to their face and crazed, tattooed-ginger lead singer Frank Carter might just spit in your face, flip you off and bust a microphone stand over your head. Whether you’ve bought into the hype surrounding the band’s ferocious, angst-driven hardcore thrash or not, you gotta give it to them. Like a caged, rabid animal, they keep it dangerous and pissed.
Guitarist Steph Carter (and Frank for a few minutes, strained vocal chords and all) sat down with Late Night Wallflower for a few minutes at the Long Island Warped Tour stop to discuss dealing with the hype, the road, and the legions of hardcore kids, here and across the pond.
I know you guys had that big episode with all your merch getting stolen a few months ago. How has it been going from that low point to playing Warped Tour every day?
Steph: It’s absolutely insane. That shit happened when we were playing a hometown show. One of the first shows we’d played at home in a long time. We played a really good show. It was in a boxing club. That night, loading everything into the car, there were loads of dodgy kids hanging out. Loads of kids that shouldn’t have been at the show that were members of the boxing club that were there to cause trouble. Eventually, loaded all the stuff into the car, got back and they took a bag of merch, money box full of cash; we killed it on merch that night. It was a really bad night for Gallows. But since then, what can I say, I’m standing in sunny New York, playing on the Warped Tour. I’ve been out on a bus in the States, getting paid to play guitar, so I can’t really complain any more.
Whenever I even mention the thought of attending Warped Tour to most people in my age bracket, the following statement usually follows; “I’m too old for that shit.” It’s true; Warped Tour, will make you feel incredibly old. If you have gone in past years, you will most likely utter “the (place year here)lineup was so much better” and/or “these kids have no taste.” While I, for the most part, agree with the latter when it comes to about 90% of the tour’s roster, there are always a few bands that make it well worth it. This year, along with tour-veterans Bad Religion, Alkaline Trio and Bayside, UK-uber-hyped-hardcore-youngsters Gallows were among the highlights.
Continue after the jump for the rest of the review and more pictures.
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