Even after three studio albums, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes still haven't found what they're looking for, and that's the way they want it.
“I don't think we will ever find what we want to get out of Rattlesnakes,” Frank says.
“It's going to be in a constant state of flux always because the minute you fully achieve what you're after that's kind of the death of it, isn't it? I hope there's never a time where I feel completely comfortable and confident in my band, because what else is there to work for?”
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes are still riding the impetus from the release of their third studio album 'End Of Suffering' back in May, a record that reflects the iron will of the band to never allow themselves or their fans to be comfortable.
“For me, I think we're always trying to challenge ourselves as artists, as musicians,” Frank explains.
“We're always trying to challenge our fans as well because I think it's very important for us that they understand we're about growth; we never ever wanted to be comfortable, ever, and we never really want them to feel comfortable. We never want anyone to be able to understand us as artists because we don't a lot of the time.”
The innate desire of Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes to never stagnate is perhaps the band's greatest strength, one that has allowed them to fully explore separate aspects of their artistry with each album they produce.
“If we want to change and grow we have to make sure that everything is in that constant state of flux, because the minute you start bolting it down people get too attached and then they're confused when you try and change,” he says.
“People just want to understand things, no one wants to be left in the dark ever and unfortunately with us that's exactly what we're about. We have no intention of allowing people to understand who we are or what we're going to do next because why would we? That would be f...ing boring.”
The album's title 'End Of Suffering' has been taken from the Buddhist term for 'enlightenment' and as any Buddhist will tell you, the first Noble Truth is that existence is suffering. Stating he's not a follower of any religion, Frank however considers himself a spiritual person and says it's within the teachings of various religious beliefs where we may find some of the answers we seek.
“Those are the real mysteries in life – all of those sects, religions and subcultures are just trying to look for their place in the world and I think that's what we're all doing really; we all want to try and be able to understand life,” he says.
“It's what I said a minute ago: everybody just wants to understand why we're here, what are we doing, what is our purpose? For me, religion has been the cause of a lot of pain and a lot of destruction in the world but it's also been the cause of a lot of beauty and a lot of hope, and a lot of the great art and poetry and writing and architecture.
"So I take from it what I need and I allow it to inspire me in the way that I think is positive.”
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes 2020 Tour Dates
Thu 16 Jan - The Triffid (Brisbane)Sat 18 Jan - Roundhouse (Sydney)
Mon 20 Jan - Croxton Bandroom (Melbourne)
Fri 24 Jan - The Gov (Adelaide)
Sat 25 Jan - Rosemount Hotel (Perth)
