Interview: Heaven’s Basement and Preview
June 27, 2013
17th July, Sound Circus, Bournemouth
It’s been a very busy year so far, for rock stalwarts Heaven’s Basement! Having had a successful tour of the USA in May, last weekend they went down a storm at the Download festival and are now embarking on a more intimate European tour to get closer to the fans. As one of Britain’s best live rock acts at the moment, I recommend you get tickets for the 17th of July when they will be tearing the roof off the Sound Circus in Bournemouth.
I asked drummer Chris Rivers a few questions and this is what he had to say…
You have recently toured in the States, how was that for you?
Totally amazing, playing all these festivals in the states for the first time, it’s really cool to see what they have compared to the European festivals, basically no bands clash on any stages on U.S festivals so you get a huge chunk of the crowd to play to regardless of what stage you play. It was great to be on line ups alongside bands like Alice in Chains, Korn, Stone Sour, Smashing pumpkins etc.
What was your favourite place/event you played there?
Kansas Rockfest, it’s the biggest one day rock festival in the states, we opened it on the second stage. Huge turnout, insane crowd. The support shows to Buckcherry were good fun too.
Why was that?
We’re a UK band touring America for the first time, visiting all these places and playing alongside some of our fav bands, why not ha ha. It feels like there is a real interest in our music in the states, our song Fire Fire is currently in the top 30 of the active rock chart which is a big deal for us.
You are a hard working band, where do you find the time to write new material?
We’re going to be touring the rest of this year and the whole of next year at least! We find time on the road. Everyone in the band will get ideas together over the course of the next 18 months, it could be riffs, lyrics etc.
Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration?
We don’t have any rules with song writing, it could be from anything that we feel gives us the fuel to write music about.
The new album sounds awesome, what songs from it do you enjoy playing live?
Thanks! I am Electric is fun, that kicks off.
What’s the most bizarre thing to happen while you were onstage?
I threw a drum stick high on the last show in San Diego, it stuck in the ceiling of the venue like a knife. Also, watching Aaron throw up all over stage in Toronto back in Feb was kinda weird!
Who was your biggest inspiration?
Many drummers from a personal point of view, and bands who stand the test of time. Good songs last forever, between us all we have many inspirations. People who work hard are an inspiration to us, no matter what they are in life.
Who was your favourite band to tour with?
Papa Roach, always up for a party!!
If you could tour with any band, which would it be?
Rage against the machine would be awesome, also, Black Sabbath!
Do you have any funny touring stories?
Every day on the road with HB is a laugh; there are 8 of us including band and crew, its constant pranks and windups.
Remember 17th of July at the Sound Circus in Bournemouth go and get your socks rocked off!
Link
http://heavensbasement.com/
Words and photos: Dan O’Gara