The American Dream: Gallows

With a trail of triumphant shows, a rapidly growing fan base and an accompanying reputation for mayhem in the UK, Gallows are turning their attentions elsewhere, having embarked on their first tour of the US. This tour will see them play alongside bands such as, Funeral For A Friend, Killswitch Engage, Alkaline Trio, and Bad Religion, among others on the Vans Warped Tour.

Speaking over the phone to Festivalwise, drummer Lee Barratt steps out of tattooed frontman Frank Carter and offers us an insight into the camaraderie they have experienced across the pond: “There are so many bands playing, everyone's really good friends. It’s a really close knit tour and everyone mucks in together, I’ve never been on a tour like it. Being on the Warped tour is probably my proudest moment so far, because not many UK bands come out here and do this. Everyone knows what it’s all about and how prestigious it is, we’re so lucky to be here.”

The band may be thousands of miles from their hometown of Watford, but Lee explains how the US crowds have warmed to the quintet’s live punk antics: “It's been a genuinely good reception. There are a few kids out here who know the songs and sing along, which is nice, but generally this tour is just a case of getting us out there.” And their aspirations are growing to suit: “We’re going to try and crack it [the US], and come over here another couple of times in the next six months. We’re on Epitaph in America, and they took a chance by signing us, so it’s not going to end at the warped tour.”

Reported commentary on Gallows UK shows often refer to scenes of chaos. While the band are inevitably growing accustomed to such activity amid the excitement of their live sets, the pandemonium reached a new level at London’s Kings College, the last night of their UK tour. It’s been over a month since this gig, but Lee’s disbelief is still present, as he recalls the mass stage invasion, and the concerns he had for the safety of the crowd, “There were, seriously, so many people on stage that I had to stop playing. I wasn't scared for myself I was scared for the crowd, because I didn't want a cymbal or guitar to hit anyone in the face. It was just non stop, the people on stage were stage diving and crowd surfing. We stopped the show to make sure everyone was ok, and cleared the stage, but we carried on straight after.”