Gallows Circus – Interview

We had a chat with GALLOWS CIRCUS who have crafted a sound that calls upon the passion of Free, fortified by the snarly riffery of Guns N Roses. GALLOWS CIRCUS release their blistering brand new single, Faith To Believe, via all platforms on Friday 30th November.

 

What is the full band line-up, who plays what?

 

Ian Day – Vocals & Harmonica,

Jim Rycroft – Guitar,

Richard Tunbridge – Bass,

Steve Kitchener – Drums,

How and when did the band form?

 

Jim (Guitar) and Ian (Vox) met first when Ian was playing with his old band ‘Tank Trap’ at the now deserted ‘Barge’ in Gillingham Kent. Jim was doing the sound and after the gig they drank until the landlord kicked them out. Jim needed a lift back to Rochester (in Kent) and the pair got a cab back, where they discovered that they lived on the same road! Nothing really arose from that until at a local pub they met again and proceeded to talk about all things blues and their influences. Ian was about to go travelling around New Zealand for a year, so no foundations were laid.

Ian ended up busking for a living whilst in New Zealand and made the decision to form a new band when he got home. Jim and Steve both received messages about hooking up for a jam when he got back (2016) although no one new of any bass players that weren’t already snapped up by other bands! Steve had heard that his friends brother Rich used to play bass for a local folk band, but had no idea if he could get his fingers round some ballsy rock riffs…as it happens….he can!

 

We wrote and recorded 5 songs before we even announced ourselves as a band. Just to hit the ground running with some songs to get gigs with. But people seemed to really dig the tunes, so they became our first EP!

 

 

Tell us anything interesting about your hometown:

 

The term ‘Chav’ originated in Chatham which is next door to us. We have a celebrity called ‘Billy The Quid’ who has made it to the urban dictionary. He has been begging since day one for a quid.

Rochester used to be a city as it has a Cathedral, until the council forgot to renew their City status. Now it’s just a town!

Charles Dickens used to live here!

When and how did the band really start gelling and solidifying?

 

After the first jam sessions we had some great ideas. But the turning point was Ian and Jim both going through some personal upheavals around the same time. Then out of no where a landslide of emotion came flooding through the music.

Who are your musical influences?

 

Led Zeppelin, Free, Peter Greens Fleetwood Mac, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Howlin’ Wolf, Pearl Jam, Audioslave, Reef, Janis Joplin, Alice in Chains, Guns N’ Roses, Silverchair, The Doors, Hendrix, Black Sabbath.

Where did the name of band come from?

 

I won’t go into too much detail as to not rob people of their own interpretations but it’s kind of a reference to the fact that people used to watch hangings for entertainment. Also, to the negative impact that certain ‘entertainment’ can have on peoples lives. Providing people with specified opinions and keeping the population glued to a screen which can hinder them ever living their lives to the full.

How far back does your history with each other (the band members) extend?

 

Ian knew Steve as their old bands did some shows together. Steve even played a few shows in one of Ian’s old bands. Apart from that we are quite new to each other!

 

Are you friends from school or any family relations?

 

Steve was friends with Richards brother. No relation!

 

Where have you played or toured? Please name all countries / regions and
recognised bands that you have played with.

 

We have been gigging for just over a year now and have mostly played the Kent area. Although we have done a few London shows and ventured a bit further to Oxfordshire! We expect to play all over the UK in 2019. We supported Leogun at London’s Big Red recently which was magnificent!

In your opinion, how is your band different from all the other bands out
there?

 

 Whilst we could be under the blanket of New Wave Of Classic Rock, we don’t adhere to too much tradition. We don’t strive to be original or to sound like anyone else, only play what feel right to us at the time. We are certainly not afraid of playing something “out there” but also not ashamed to stick to something simple and catchy. I guess we just try to write the kind of thing we want to listen to whilst playing from the heart. That’s not exactly a “different” concept as I think most music comes from people’s hearts. I, personally, don’t think that being different should be something conscious. Music should just be honest. Different or not. (Ian)

 

If a deaf person were to ask you to describe the sound of your music, how
would you describe it?

 

I’d say if they sit on Jim’s guitar amp while he’s playing through his octave pedal, they might need a Kleenex.

 

If that’s too uncouth then maybe this…

 

If it could be bottles pharmaceutical companies would sell it to treat small chin syndrome. #chininducingrock

 

Where can we find your social media sites?

 

www.gallowscircus.com

 

www.facebook.com/GallowsCircus

 

www.instagram.com/gallowscircus

 

twitter.com/GallowsCircus

 

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Yc64LNvbyQYzXDobkD4q2?si=FFK-G6n0TZ-9NLsoH6aqog

 

 

 

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