For These Four Walls life as a band began across the Tasman in Auckland. But after recording an album on the Gold Coast, the four-piece soon relocated to the Sunshine State.
Now they’re headed up the highway for their first headlining show in Brisbane. Vocalist/ guitarist Steve Gibb steps in for a quick chat.
The story of These Four Walls... you began life in Auckland before landing on the Gold Coast... how'd you end up on the other side of the Tasman?
Keeping as far away as possible from the obviously hilarious answer of ‘an airplane’ as to prevent readers from passing out from lack of oxygen after their inevitable fit of laughter, here are the facts. After a series of fateful events, we ended up recording our current album 'Living To Write The End' at Loose Stones Studios on the Gold Coast. Without going into pages of details, we fell in love with the place and the people. We've always been influenced by the music coming out of Australia in all genres, so when the decision was made to move out of NZ in search of a new challenge, Australia was the obvious choice.
You’ll be playing your first headline Brisbane show at the New Globe later this month... what will you be packing into the night?
The same thing we pack in to every night Pinky: heart, soul and a whole lot of sweat. We do what we do for the opportunity to perform live. There is an energy that is unachievable anywhere else in playing music for an audience. We'll be bringing a high energy rock show with crushing highs and dynamic lows. We also guarantee nudity. (NB: nudity not guaranteed.)
You’ll be supported by Mass Sky Raid and Stellar Green; do you have a strong connection to the local scene re: friendships etc?
A huge benefit from recording at Loose Stones Studios for us was meeting a wealth of bands in the process. There is a great community of bands and musicians on the Gold Coast and Brisbane that we are honoured to call friends. We know the boys in Mass Sky Raid well and have heard awesome things about Stellar Green. This will be the first time we've played with either band on the bill, but it certainly won’t be the last.
New material... the last TFW’s album was 2012. Any new work ready to showcase?
The good thing about being a 'new' band to an area is that we have an awesome back catalogue of songs we're so proud of to play to a new audience. We are in a strong writing mode at the moment, with intentions on recording at the end of the year. We've been showcasing new songs at our most recent shows here and abroad... who knows. Brissie could get lucky.
Strangest moment you’ve either shared or witnessed while packing up post-gig?
I'm actually really happy to say that I haven't got a strange story to tell. The guys are probably going to remind me of something after they read this, but outside the slightly odd patron, after the show is usually the slow part of the night. EXCEPT, when we play in Wellington, NZ. There is this seedy little hole-in-the-wall venue where once the show finishes, the owner closes up shop and we sing awful, awful karaoke with all of the bands until the sun comes up.
You once supported Nickleback... what was that like?
Dude, it was actually awesome! They were just straight up nice guys with the most professional crew in the business. We got treated so well and got our first taste of the international circuit. We played a set to a sold out arena who were really into what we were offering. All round awesome night.
The band have also shared a staged with Disturbed and Trivium... how important were these experiences to the development of the band?
Huge. Not only in building a fan base, but also in our personal development. We had to step up for these shows, we were sharing a bill with three massive international bands, and we wanted to bat alongside of them as best we could. We worked so hard on our act to make sure it was arena ready and now we offer that same performance at every show we play.
If you could add any musician to your band, who is it and why? Oh, and does that mean you’d become a five-piece?
Oh man... that's a great question. I'm going to go with Dave Grohl. Not just because he's just an awesome dude and an inspirational musician, but with him in the band we could just let him play all of the instruments. Then we could just sit back and watch in awe as Dave Grohl plays our songs. So, say goodbye to the five-piece idea... we're officially a one-piece. A Grohl-piece!
Dave GrohlYou’re still an unsigned band... have you ever had an opportunity to sign with a major?
We're incredibly proud of our achievements as an unsigned, independent band. We've never had a deal on the table with a major, but who knows what will happen in the future.
Best aspect of being an independent band is...
While it is a lot of work being an independent band, the best thing about it is seeing the hard work pay off. Whether it's a successful show, great tour or an awesome sounding song that you've written as a team, when it pays off, it's a sweet feeling.
What’s your favourite app at the moment?
Brad and I are smashing The Simpsons: Tapped Out at the moment. That's one heck of an addictive game. We're all pretty heavy Simpsons addicts, so it was an obvious download for us.
What’s the one chore you dislike the most?
Hair out of the plughole. Straight up. No one could like that... no one.
When was the last time social media made you laugh?
While I love the awkward trainwrecks that Facebook provides, the last time I cracked up at social media was probably on YouTube. I follow a few geeky gaming channels on there that tickle the old funny bone just right.
These Four Walls will be joined by Mass Sky Raid and Stellar Green at the New Globe Theatre July 19.
