Slaves To Gravity
Before Slaves To Gravity nipped over the Atlantic, where the entire music industry seems to be enjoying the dust bowels of Austin, Texas at SXSW at the moment, Glasswerk had a few questions to interrogate these intrepid adventures.
You used to be THE*GA*GA*S. What’s it like starting again? Have you managed to cross your fans over or is it a completely different style of music?
It was hard, but ultimately a very positive experience to completely start over again after TGG folded. We carried forward 4 years of experience playing together which there's no shortcut to achieving, but we were able to make a fresh start free of the stigma that had been following us around. The music we play as STG is really the result of a natural progression rather than a concerted effort to push things in any specific direction. We're just the conduit that the music flows through. As for the fans, a lot disappeared and are only now coming back out of the woodwork. People have very short attention spans and there's always another band around the corner desperate for their chance to keep the people occupied.
My spies tell me you are off to the US? What you doing there?
We're doing a showcase gig in NYC for a whole host of labels, publishers etc etc with a view to inking a licensing deal for the States. We have our own label here in the UK, but we're looking for other people to come on board in other areas to put the record out across the world. Then we're heading down to Austin, TX for a gig at the SXSW festival. We were there last year and had so much fun we just had to go back!
I sneaked backstage once and saw you doing vocal exercises. Are you classically trained? If so do you miss playing orchestral music?
I've had a few lessons and I always warm up before I sing. The voice is a very delicate thing and you have to treat it with respect and know how to use it properly or it'll rebel and cause you a lot of problems. My initial experience with a more classical-style vocal coach was very interesting and I learnt a lot, but it's a very restrictive approach and not one well suited to singers in rock bands (in my opinion at least). I discovered a vocal coach named Melissa Cross who has a DVD called The Zen Of Screaming, a vocal programme tailored to a more aggressive vocal style. It's become my bible.
We at Glasswerk have long appreciated the Slaves To Gravity rise, where do you think you will be this time next year?
Hopefully we'll have a successful album under our belt, and be touring the world in support of it – all the while writing and preparing for album number 2. I think if we get the opportunity to make another record you'll see something really special come from us.
It honestly feels like we've just scratched the surface of our potential with the first record.
Describe your sound in…
20 words
A BLACK HEARTED BONE CRUSHING BALL BUSTING MIND FUCKING BROKEN BEAUTIFUL ACHINGINGLY DARK DIRTY BRUISED URGENT GOD HATING RIFF FACTORY.
10 words
Grunge like Alice. Glam like Bowie. Better than the 'Stones.
1 word
Honest
We know why people should watch you live, please explain to the uninitiated why they should brave the rain and do so.
We treat every gig like it's our last, so we play with absolute passion and commitment every night. There's not a lot of chit-chat or any unnecessary bullshit. Just a balls-out rock n roll band playing cool songs very loudly.
How tight do you like your jeans?
Tight on the thigh, flared at the ankle.
What is your best ever gig, that you have played at?
Every gig has its own unique charm. We seem to get better the more we play. In terms of the sheer experience, opening for Velvet Revolver was a real fucking trip!