GUNS ON THE ROOF
East Leeds Magazine, May 2010
The artist's formerly known as Guns on the Roof have been going for about six years now. In that time they've had a couple of line-up changes, released two albums and toured relentlessly. They've supported an encyclopedia of punk history - Stiff Little Fingers, The Misfits, Rancid, Glen Matlock, Buzzcocks, Dead Kennedys & the Damned. They've just put a new single out for charity under the name of GOTR. Drummer Joe Sefton explains:
"Up until the single came out, GOTR were having a bit of a rest after a gruelling schedule which took in a tour of Europe.”
Joe hopes they'll tour America in the near future: ”We're trying to get something sorted, it's a much bigger audience out there and our English style is popular. I'd just settle for a decent bed on a night to be honest. When we started we were all at Leeds College of Music, we'd tour locally during term and went further afield during holidays. We used to tour in a car and sleep sat down in it. I don’t think we’ve ever stayed in a hotel on tour.As we got bigger we started to take two cars. Food's a problem too, when your playing at the pace we do every night you need a healthy diet. On tour it tends to be service stations and fast food. The European tour was brilliant, For a start, we had a tour bus with bunk beds, we were looked after better in Europe to be honest. In England we get a rider which is supposed to include a meal, but most of the time it's crisps.
We toured Germany, Holland, Belgium, Czech Republic, it felt like we were being treated like stars: all we were getting was a decent meal!"
"The fesivals were brilliant, we were playing to 1000's of people, it's almost like a power rush, the thought that one step on your drum pedal is going to send this sea of faces into a mad frenzy. On the other hand in the early days we'd travel down to the other end of the country to play in front of the sound man and the landlord!"
Between all the touring GOTR have managed to release two albums. The first one ‘Pure Punk Rock Therapy’ was released in 2005 and created a big impression on the UK Punk Scene. The second ‘New Frustration’ was released last year to critical acclaim. With the hilarious video of the single ‘Last Orders’ featuring on The Riot Show on MTV 2 and receiving air play on The Mike Davies Show on BBC Radio 1, Bruce Dickinson Rock Show on BBC Radio 6, XFM and The Punk Radio Cast.
GUNS ON THE ROOF - Beating the Best
Live, GOTR are something else, every band member a bundle of manic energy releasing pure punk rock energy mixed in with clever riffs, harmonies and humour, which leads us nicely to the new single and a new name...
"The name change was something we'd thought about for a while. The name Guns on the Roof came about as a bit of a nod to the Clash who are a big influence on us. But after a while we started to think it came to advocate violence. This was compounded by releasing 'Swords' so we shortened it to GOTR." GOTR have settled on a line up of Joe on drums, singer Liam Brett, Dan Sharp on guitar and in a bizarre twist,Craig Sharp-Weir, formerly of local Punk legends Icon."
Bizarre, because Craig is Dan's Dad! And In a nod to East Leeds punk history they are managed by former Abrasive Wheel Dave Ryan: "The single's a cover of Tenpole Tudors 'Swords of a Thousand Men,' with the lyrics incorporating England's world cup campaign. When we heard there was no official world cup song we thought we'd do our own. It's a fun song really but if it took off... well..it'd be a nice thought... everybody in the pubs singing it after an England win.”
Craig Sharp-Weir penned the song renaming it ‘Beating the Best (with 3 lions on their chests)’ - “It’s my sons band, really,” chortles Craig, “I’ve just been helping out since their bass player left, it’s like reliving my youth! The song plays on the idea of the footballers being Knights or Crusaders going into battle, because of the medieval slant we hope it will appeal to fans of the new Robin Hood film.The lyrics are very similar to the original and Eddie Tenpole the orignal singer has been in touch, he loves it! Who knows how successful it will be but hopefully it will raise a few quid for Help For Heroes.”
For more information: www.gunsontheroof.com
The single is available on download through ITunes, and also at Taste Buds sandwich shop on Pendas Way. All proceeds go to Help For Heroes.
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