For those unfamiliar with your band, please give a brief one liner about your sound and a quick FFO.
We are a metalcore band from Johannesburg, South Africa. We like to incorporate a blend of thrash, hardcore and punk. For fans of Parkway Drive, Architects, Fit for a King and In Hearts Wake.
What was the writing process like for your album?
It was very lengthy, nearly 3 years. Although it’s safe to say we are really happy we took our time with this record.
What do you think sets your band apart from the rest? What does Facing The Gallows bring to the table that no one else does?
Personally I think we are different as we are all rounded in every aspect, we never compromise on an element, meaning, we take our live show performance as important as the quality of our sound for example. Also we may be classified as metalcore but we try to stay clear of genre specific’s when it comes to song writing. We have a punk styled track, a slow song, and a brutally fast track – we are always trying to mix it up.
What sort of things inspire you to create music?
For all of us, different things inspire us, for example, James is a painter, Chase is a videographer, Victor actually teaches drums. Personally the thing that inspires me to create music is emotions, I like to tie this into my music whether that be lyrically or musically. Another inspiration would be listening to other bands.
How do you feel about the current state of the music industry, in particular streaming services, “illegal” downloads and such?
Look, whether you’re against it or not, it will happen regardless, so based on that I am all for it, I’d much rather give our music out for free than fight the internet. I think streaming sites like apple music are really trying to curb this aspect, which on one hand is great, but in the same breath if you look at what a band earns from royalties from a single play it is quite shocking.
If you could share the stage with any other musician (dead or alive), who would it be?
Taylor Swift, in a packed stadium, we could do a mash up of our song ‘Bad Blood’.
Which albums are in your top 10 right now?
Hundredth – Rare
Novelists – Souvenirs
Trivium – The Sin and the Sacrifice
Fit for a King – Deathgrip
Fast forward 5 years from now, what’s Facing the Gallows doing?
Hopefully touring the world.
Craziest thing you’ve ever done together with the band?
I wouldn’t say it’s the craziest, but it’s pretty cool. Chase, Ray and Myself (Bryan), got matching Dolphin tattoos with sunglasses December last year to represent 10 years in the band together.
Thanks for your time, anything else you’d like to add?
Thanks for the awesome questions! High fives and stage dives.