We recently spoke with Chris Rivers of Heaven's Basement ahead of the band's UK tour that takes in Newcastle University on 18th March 2014.
Are you excited for the upcoming UK tour?
We’re so excited for this tour, it’s the biggest headline tour we’ve ever done and its the first time we’ve done a full headline tour across mainland Europe. The last UK tour sold out in July and a few of these dates are sold out now. We’re also excited to be bringing along to great bands in Glamour of the Kill and The Dirty Youth aswell.
Do you enjoy playing places like Newcastle on tour?
Honestly, Newcastle has always been one of our best places to play. We’ve got so many great memories of shows at places like the Academy from the past few years opening for bands like Papa Roach, Buckcherry etc. I’ve always thought that the more north you go in the UK the audiences become more and more passionate, thats nothing against the south, I guess it’s just they’re just not afraid to show it.
How has your world tour been so for?
When you start a band it’s a dream to tour around the world, it’s a little surreal at times, the fact that I’m writing this interview whilst flying over India on the way back from Soundwave festival in Australia with a massive line up that included bands like Green Day, Avenged Sevenfold and Korn still feels crazy for us. We spent around 10/11 months on tour last year around Europe/North America. We’re taking on the whole world with this album to make a start in as many places as possible which we’ll continue with album 2 touring.
Do you enjoy touring?
Yes, if you don’t enjoy touring in a band then its not the place for you. It’s either the best place in the world or the worse, luckily for us we all live for it. The hardest thing is missing people at home but as far as being a musician goes it’s the best thing you can wish for. It’s in our blood, every freaks out a bit when we’re not touring these days, I think we’ve forgot how else to live.
Your first album 'Flithy Empire' was a huges success, what can we expect from the next album?
To step it up even more. The songs are the most important thing for us, song quality is everything, without that everyelse doesn’t matter. we’re really excited to start album 2 at some point, there’s already some good ideas floating around for it.
What can fans expect from your live shows?
Carnage, energy, passion. You’ll never see a Heaven’s Basement show we’re one of us can’t be arsed, if you do slap that person in the face haha
Do you ever make any crazy rock star requests?
I’d love to be the first band to play in space but lets be honest that’s not going to happen haha! There’s rumours that Muse will do it.
Which bands did you listen to growing up? (for example, which band names did your write on your pencil case of bag at school?)
For me personally it was a lot of old school bands like ACDC/Aerosmith/Sabbath but I’m a fan of most genres of music to be honest as a listener and as a drummer mainly rock/punk/metal.
Do you think the music press is still important to bands in the current era?
Of course, the music industry is an ever changing thing. we’ve always been supportive of any press opportunities that come our way from upcoming webzines/radio stations etc. It’s still one of the best ways for people to learn about new bands..with that in mind, thank you for interviewing us muppets! We’re very great full and now to anyone reading this, get your ass down to our show in newcastle on the welcome home tour haha!
Asking the questions: Neale McGeever
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