Gallows humour

Band of the Year according to Kerrang, fronted by the Coolest Person in Rock, according to the NME, Gallows release their album ’Live At The 100 Club’ on the same date they return to perform at that venue, 3 March.

I caught up with their bassist Stu, who was on a tour bus somewhere between Boston and Canada.

Why the gruesome name?

It refers to a gallows sense of humour. I recently read an interview with the illustrator Quentin Blake, who said he and Roald Dahl worked well together was because they shared a gallows humour.

You’re rumoured to be big Phil Collins fans. Is this true?

He wrote some cool tunes. In fact, our drummer bought his greatest hits CD in Montreal yesterday. We were going to cover In The Air Tonight at one point. It hasn’t happened yet but we’ll see.

Your sound is quite heavy and punky. Are you fed up all of those clone chirpy indie bands on the circuit?

They’re doing us a favour by sounding as lame and bland as each other. It helps us stand out more. Our band was a reaction to that cheeky chappy crap indie stuff.

Tell me your thoughts on each of the following artists in a word.

Scouting for Girls?

Never heard of them.

Wombats?

No. I haven’t been home for two months so have no idea what’s going on.

Britney?

She’s alright actually. Britney has some good writers. I feel really sorry for her, the way she’s been hounded and persecuted by the press. I think she needs a helping hand.

You’ve worked with North London Rapper Lethal Bizzle. How was that?

We met him at South by Southwest festival in Texas then used one of his samples for a track. He came to the studio, laid down his stuff in about a minute and was really professional. We had a chat afterwards and would class him as a good friend now.

Who else would you like to work with?

Kate Nash would be cool. Phil Collins would be cool too. I’d personally like to do something with DJ Shadow too.

You’re songs confront social issues like date rape? Do you think music is a good way to confront these?

Yes, it’s better than taking it out on someone in the street. Music is a vehicle but it’s not the most direct form of communication as it’s open to so much interpretation. And people don’t always listen to what you’re saying. They just want to bang their heads.

Frank ranked #1 in NME magazine's 2007 edition of the 'Cool List'. Do you think he’s cool?

Yeah he’s alright.

Who’s the coolest band member?

Blatantly me. I’m the bassist and they’re always coolest.

Were you cool at school?

I was born cool.

Who would you rank as the Coolest Person in the world?

Anyone who fought in the First or Second World War. The old dudes. I think it’s pretty cool what they did when they were our age.

What about soldiers who are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan now?

Yeah they’re equally as deserving. I support our troops.

What’s the most recent tattoo you got?

I got Fuck You written along my tricep.

What’s your favourite tattoo?

That one because it’s my latest.

Why did you get that?

I just felt like it. I had a gap there and it fitted nicely.

Has Frank got his Fuck The NME Tattoo yet?

No, that comment was taken a bit too literally. I can’t see it happening anytime soon.

Do you have lots of fights within the band?

No we get on pretty well. You have to if you’re on tour with the amount of time you live in each others pockets.

Why did Frank leave the band four times before you were signed?

He couldn’t see it going anywhere and wanted to concentrate on being a tattooist.

How did it feel to get the Kerrang Best British Newcomer award?

We kind of expected it. Not in an arrogant way but there wasn’t another new British band around who had achieved quite as much as us so we knew it was coming. There was no way we weren’t going to win. But It’s nice to have on the mantle piece.

Do you like being in the US?

Yeah, when the band’s done I’ll probably move out here. I like the exchange rate. I like how everything is 24 hours and there’s more choice of food. Plus my fiancé is American.

How your US and UK fans differ?

They’re quite similar. Before we came to the States we heard they were more subdued but that certainly isn’t the case, luckily for us. We’ve been playing to all ages and they’ve been really into it and know all the words.

How do you relax on tour?

We sit around, surfing the web, playing video games or watching films.

What’s your favourite video game?

On the bus we play a lot of FIFA.

Who’s the best player?

Leo the drummer. He beats everyone at it.

What’s the best film you watched recently?

Itchy the Killer. It was gory.

Do you like gruesome movies?

If they’re well written. A lot of them are a bit shit.

Frank’s previously said the band won't last past 2009. Do you agree? How do you feel about him saying things like that?

That was taken a bit too literally too. We’re just concentrating on getting the next record done and we’re all on board for that so we’ll see.