(Hamburg, Germany) – Since first seeing Fatherson at the famous King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, recently voted one the top ten iconic venues, in 2014 they have had a bit of a meteoric rise. 2016 saw them play Reading & Leeds, T in the Park, record live performances for BBC TV, open for Biffy Clyro and now supporting the Augustines across Europe. Open Book, Fatherson’s second studio album, was released in June this year and went straight to number two in the Scottish album charts, an album that put a certain amount of pressure on them given the success of I am An Island which was released back in 2014. Plans are now in progress for a headline tour when they guys hope to plough across Europe and perhaps even further afield.
Fatherson will headline another iconic Glasgow venue, the Barrowland Ballroom on the 23rd December and make no bones about how excited they are. As bassist Marc Strain admits, it’s one of those venues he dreamt about as a boy and a huge tick on their bucket list. Greg added “It’s also our chance to thank everyone who has helped us along the way and to celebrate with them. It’s THE gig”.
What was the first gig you ever played… and how many people were there?
Greg – Kilmarnock Scout Hall, I think we were 11 or 12 years old. We played in front of our Scout Troop so there must have been around fifteen people there.
Marc – That was the one gig when I thought I could sing. I think we played three songs and I now concentrate on the bass!
If anything, what do wish you knew about the music business when you started out, that you know now?
Marc – Patience……..Be patient, surround yourself with good people and don’t expect everything to fall into your lap.
Which song by any other artist do you wish you had written and why?
Greg – So Real by Jeff Buckley. It’s such an incredible piece of music. Although I can’t count how many times I’ve been at a gig, heard a band play a song and thought “that’s so cool”.
Ross – I would have to pick a song call Little Bear by Guillemots which is a great song.
Marc – Without hesitation it has to be Wonderwall by Oasis. Purely for commercial reasons though!
Most surreal on stage moment?
Greg – I think it would have to be when we played the Round House in London with Enter Shikari. Rou [Reynolds] came on and sung I Like Not Knowing with us. We sort of grew up listening to these guys, they were like our heroes and now they were on stage singing one of our songs with us. That was incredible!
Marc – We played King Tuts in Glasgow and I looked out into the crowd and there was Ben Johnston for Biffy Clyro was standing next to Ross’s Dad, he was belting out all of out songs. A member of one of the biggest bands in the world and he knew all of the words to our songs, I thought this is it, it doesn’t get better! After the gig I went out to thank him for coming, walked around the whole venue but couldn’t see him. I actually thought he had left. I went back to the dressing room and there he was, standing there chatting and having a beer.
Ross – When the curtain dropped at the ABC in Glasgow, or when we played the King Tuts tent at T in The Park. The only thing I remember from those gigs is walking on stage. It’s funny how it happens, you remember how you felt at the time but you’re not really in control. There have been other gigs when I remember every minute, usually when things have gone wrong though! We played a festival this year, 10 songs and something went wrong on almost every song. The mic broke on the first, then the bass cut out. My guitar string broke…..it was a nightmare. I will take that gig to my grave. Other than walking on stage and the curtain dropping I can’t remember a thing about the O2 or T in The Park.
Marc – I cried at the T in The Park gig. There is a song on our first album called James. In fact we wrote it before we were Fatherson, we were called Energy then. I remember playing the demo to my mum and she said she could imagine us playing the song at T in the Park with the whole crowd singing along with us. And we did it……the whole crowd were singing along and I was like, shit this is cool. Goosebumps, lump in the throat, the whole shooting match.
What is the one thing you look forward to most when getting home from a tour?
Greg – It might not be appropriate to say what I’m thinking (much hilarity ensues)! I really enjoy daft things like getting the shopping in, cooking some good food and sitting down with a cup of tea. Although, by time I’ve done that and washed the dishes my feet are itchy and I can’t wait to get back on tour.
Ross – Post Tour Blues is an actual thing. I remember when we were younger it took a bit longer to kind of decompress, but now I just like……this is only for a week or two. On tour you are constantly surrounded by people which is great. When you get home, after a few hours it can feel a bit like solitary confinement.
Marc – That’s so true. When I get back and I’m on my own at home, I’m like, my girlfriend is at work, I think I’ll just move the furniture……
Fatherson are:
Ross Leighton (Vocals/Guitar)
Marc Strain (Bass)
Greg Walkinshaw (Drums)
Open Book is available on CD, vinyl and download.
Connect with Fatherson online: Website Facebook Twitter
All photos by Spike Porteous
©2016. Please DO NOT copy or use without permission.
SHARE THIS POST:
