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With a trail of triumphant shows, a rapidly growing fan base and an accompanying reputation for mayhem in the UK, Gallows are turning their attentions elsewhere, having embarked on their first tour of the US. This tour will see them play alongside bands such as, Funeral For A Friend, Killswitch Engage, Alkaline Trio, and Bad Religion, among others on the Vans Warped Tour.
Speaking over the phone to Gigwise, drummer Lee Barratt steps out of tattooed frontman Frank Carter and offers us an insight into the camaraderie they have experienced across the pond: “There are so many bands playing, everyone's really good friends. It’s a really close knit tour and everyone mucks in together, I’ve never been on a tour like it. Being on the Warped tour is probably my proudest moment so far, because not many UK bands come out here and do this. Everyone knows what it’s all about and how prestigious it is, we’re so lucky to be here.”
The band may be thousands of miles from their hometown of Watford, but Lee explains how the US crowds have warmed to the quintet’s live punk antics: “It's been a genuinely good reception. There are a few kids out here who know the songs and sing along, which is nice, but generally this tour is just a case of getting us out there.” And their aspirations are growing to suit: “We’re going to try and crack it [the US], and come over here another couple of times in the next six months. We’re on Epitaph in America, and they took a chance by signing us, so it’s not going to end at the warped tour.”
Reported commentary on Gallows UK shows often refer to scenes of chaos. While the band are inevitably growing accustomed to such activity amid the excitement of their live sets, the pandemonium reached a new level at London’s Kings College, the last night of their UK tour. It’s been over a month since this gig, but Lee’s disbelief is still present, as he recalls the mass stage invasion, and the concerns he had for the safety of the crowd, “There were, seriously, so many people on stage that I had to stop playing. I wasn't scared for myself I was scared for the crowd, because I didn't want a cymbal or guitar to hit anyone in the face. It was just non stop, the people on stage were stage diving and crowd surfing. We stopped the show to make sure everyone was ok, and cleared the stage, but we carried on straight after.”
So, how often do Gallows have to suffer the financial consequences in the aftermath of events like this? “If we break a mic stand or something, we would just pay for that. We don't get in any trouble for stuff like that it's all part of the show, also there wasn't any security at that show anyway.“ Laughing, he adds: “Our manager and even my dad crowd surfed, which shows how crazy it was!”
Along with Lee’s dad, Frank and Steph Carter’s mum and other relations of band member are regular attendees of Gallows shows. As Lee enthuses over his parents visiting the band in Texas during their tour, he explains how important their encouragement has been: “It's taken them quite a while to get used to the fact that this is my job now. I think everybody's parents are the same but I don't think they expected the Gallows to get quite as big as we have done. My family were fine with it, as I was working a shitty nine-to-five job that I didn't like. All of our parents have been so supportive since the start of the band and come to as many shows as they can. It's great having our family there, because with so many bands their families don't care what they are doing, so it's good to have support.”
Their upcoming UK tour in September will see further participation from Gallow’s family members with Frank and Steph’s younger brother Rich’s band, Black Hole joining the band on tour along with recent collaborator Lethal Bizzle, whom Lee describes as, “A fucking amazing artist, such a professional who knows what he’s doing and the fact that he likes Gallows is fucking awesome to be honest.”
As Gallows make final preparations to take to the stage for today’s US show, we ask Lee one final question. So, Lee, after Gallows stint in the US, are you looking forward to the band’s homecoming? “I actually can’t wait to get home - I love being in America but we’re playing Reading and Leeds when we get home, and that’s going to be really good. September’s tour is going to be one of the best tours we’ve done in the UK. It’s us, Lethal Bizzle, Poison The Well and Black Hole, a good range of genres, and a family affair definitely.”
We predict a riot.
