Guns on the Roof
By Victoria HoldsworthGuns on the Roof released their new EP, 'Last Orders', on Monday, June 16th. Victoria Holdsworth caught up with the band to ask them about the album, punk rock and music in general.
Describe your new album 'New Frustration' to our readers in one short paragraph and how does it differ from 'Pure Punk Rock Therapy'?
We would say the sound on this album has matured: it's bigger and more melodic than 'Pure Punk Rock Therapy' and we think it's more accessible. 'New Frustration' has some of the best material we have written and is a reflection of how we have grown up as people and musicians.
You'll be co-hosting your own radio show on 20th May on Rock 24/7 online and playing some of your new album. Which tracks have you chosen to play and why?
We will defo be playing Last Orders, the new single which is out on iTunes on 15th June, and at the very least you will hear 'Dying', 'Shattered Feeling' and 'On the Brink'. We think they are catchy songs, songs you can dance to, ha! They're a good reflection on what to expect from the album as a whole.
Over the past twelve months you have supported established bands such as Rancid, Stiff Little Fingers, Spunge, U.K. Subs, to name but a few, but were you fans of any of these bands before the call for support came in?
Definitely, I mean Charlie Harper's a legend and we are so proud, not to mention honoured to have played with Rancid. We have all grown up listening to punk and there's so many bands that we have played with that are in our collection. It's un-real!
What would be your dream line up, to head or support on an imaginary mystery tour?
Dream tour? Hmm! Rancid, Dropkick Murphy's, The Offspring, The Bouncing Souls, Outl4w ... what a tour that would be! There's so many to name, erm... Cheeko?
You are one of the youngest, hardworking bands on the scene at the moment, how do you cope with the pressures that this brings as a group on the whole or individually?
We dunno, I suppose we just put our heads down and get on with it, if you are wanting something bad enough, you will work hard for it!
As a band you are fairly confrontational in your style, and most punk bands seem to dissipated, to a degree, into a subculture interpreted by many as an excuse for violence. Do you find yourself in any particularly hairy situations?
We don't think it's fair to label punk as a violent scene. You get your dickheads wherever you go. Any violence we have ever seen witnessed or expected on the road hasn't had anything to do with punk. We have seen the odd scuffle at shows, but we have also seen them out side McDonalds! We go out to have fun and have a laugh. The only thing violence does is spoil a good night.
Do all the band members do other jobs as well as being in the band? If so, what?
Oh man, we could be here all day with this one! When we are not on the road we work as much and when we can, we have lots and lots of jobs between us.
You will be touring this June, where will our readers be able to see you and are you doing any festivals in the UK?
Well ... we are starting at Bournemouth on 22nd June and working our way up the country. Just check out our MySpace and leave us a comment or two!
As a band you're now fairly established, but is there anyone else coming through at the moment you either see as a rival or someone you would like to put your weight behind?
We don't see really anyone as rivals. I would definitely recommend checking out Outl4w and The Strawberry Blondes, both cool and sound bands coming out of the scene!
Not many punk bands have been coming out of Leeds this past 10 years, do you feel that that is a reflection on the city embracing too much indie and therefore not giving other genres a chance?
We think Leeds is just like any other city, there's a majority that follows trends and punk just isn't the in thing right now, but with bands like Rancid, Green Day and The Gallows breaking the mainstream punk is on its way again already!
Your new EP 'Last Orders', featuring Michael Myers, is due for release on June 15th... are you big horror fans? And if you could chose death by one of the great horror baddies of film, whose body count would you like to add yourself to?
We don't mind them at all, but Bretty loves them, B-movies and stuff, evil dead, George Romeros Films. Can't say I'd like to die at all thanks, ha!
What can we expect from Guns on the Roof in the next 12 months?
Who knows what the future holds, we are going to work are arses off and tour and get out there, we can say we are going to hit Europe and America in the next 12 months look out for us!
