I was given the chance to speak to
Gareth Kelly (Lead Vocals) from GURT where we discussed the making of
the new album, future plans for GURT and the fantastic Promotions
Company/Record Label – When Planets Collide – that he also runs.
Gareth is a very busy person and I'm
pleased he agreed to do this interview.
Skullossus
was released last year. Were you please with the initial reviews the
album received. As it’s received some great press recently over the
last few weeks.
Yes,
we were over the moon with the press received, we have had some great
feedback but the icing on the cake was getting 4 K's in Kerrang! very
chuffed with that one.
It
seems a lot more people are discovering the album now and not when it
was released. What’s happening. Have people been waking up to the
power of GURT. Or was it lost under a ton of great albums released at
the same time.
I
have no idea, you tell me!? It was certainly sent out into the world
and we put a hell of a lot of work into getting it in front of as
many people as possible just recently we have starting on more press
as we have a lot planned for 2018 and thought is was a good idea to
remind you all we are still here, plus we recently released a video
for 'Broken Heart heroin Man' so that seemed to help peak peoples
interest again who may have missed it first time round!
What
can people expect from your latest album.
its
more varied than our previous efforts and we have just done what felt
right, we never try to follow what is popular at the time and we all
have such varied music tastes nothing ever comes out the same each
time. Expect Doomy, punky, poppy, sludgy, riffy, party vibes I guess!
Did
you do anything differently when recording this album compared to
your previous album.
Not
mostly really which is where we can improve, this time round we are
taking our time a bit more and not rushing too much as we always try
to get a release a year out and it sometimes puts us under
unnecessary pressure. we recorded it with Steve Sears (Titan Studio,
Watford) this time which we have done on our previous 2 EP's too, and
he knows us so well now he knows how to get the best out of us. So we
don't see us looking for someone else when it comes to album number
3.
Was
it a more easier experience recording for Skullossus.
Yes,
for sure. we were a lot more relaxed about the whole thing and loads
of ideas formed whilst in the studio which is something that has
happened quite a bit since we have been recording with Steve.
Although the songs were mostly written before entering the studio
there were a number of little unique parts that did not happen until
we started in the studio, the best example is the saxophone in 'Jon
Gar Seeya Later' that was not originally written in to the song and
was a mad cap idea that evolved during the recording process and then
we called a friend who played Sax and she came in on the last day and
nailed the solo! We were very happy indeed.
GURT
are celebrating their 8th year as a band this year. Are you going to
do anything special for that landmark. Or is it business as usual.
As
with every year we always have lots planned but nothing special to
celebrate 8 years, we have to wait for a big number like 10! We have
decided to start writing again and all going well will break our
trend of doing splits and EP's between albums and just get on and try
an get Album No. 3 out ASAP...
Did
you ever expect that GURT would last that long.
We
take every day as it comes, just happy to be playing with best mates
in a band that wipes the floor with most other shite out there! But
we have outlived a hell of other bands that we have shared the stage
with over the years so must be doing something right.
What
have been your high points and low points during that time.
Loads
high and not so many low, The best has to be the 2014 Euro tour,
having Dopethrone as our best mates. Playing with Red Fang in the
Black Heart and playing Bloodstock twice on the SOPHIE stage!
Looking
back would you do anything differently.
Of
course not, every single person that is or has been in GURT (7 of us
over the 8 years) are best friends and we have always done exactly
what we want and what we all agree on. If someone is not happy with
something then we do not do it. Being in a band should always be
about having fun and doing what makes you happy with it never being a
chore which is what we have maintained all this time, and may explain
why we are still going strong!
Will
GURT be touring heavily this year or even record and release new
material.
Touring
is going to be a thing but not "heavily", this first part
of the year is about us getting some material together and seeing
what happens with that, we have lots of plans over the Summer which
some of which has already been unveiled but as always it will be a
productive 2018.
You’re
also involved in running When Planets Collide. How is that going. Are
you still releasing records and putting on gigs with WPC.
Its
all going really well, my day job has meant that a lot of changes
have been and are coming in my life so it is always a hobby and
cannot dedicate all my time to it, but I have moved from the Windmill
in Brixton to the Unicorn and Black Heart in Camden having put 2
shows on in 2017 and a recent revamp of the 'Winter warmer' in
January this year at the BH. That was the best show I have ever done
so shall be returning with a new 'Summer Sizzler' at the same place
on July 13th. I am also going into year 7 of working at Desertfest
and the stage I run with Matt from Human Disease is the best its ever
been, we have Weedeater headlining this year so pretty much reached
the top as far as I am concerned!
As
for the label, its starting up again for 2018 with the new Ritual
King EP coming out February 23rd and I am looking to do a
collaboration with another well known label later in the year for a
more than obvious release. More on that once things take shape...
When
did you start running When Planet Collide and the reasons why.
WPC
started in 2010 as a way to combat 'pay to play' gigs for our scene
as there were not many kind promoters around then as there are now.
It was also a way of getting GURT onto bills that I wanted to see
them on, booking people like Ishmael, Dopefight and Funeral Hag was
awesome and got us meeting some of our best friends of today (none of
those bands exist anymore though sadly!).
Is
it a hard balancing act being part of GURT, running WPC and perhaps
enjoying your normal life away from music.
Yes
it is very much so sometimes, but I would not EVER change it! I have
a great job, am happily married and still have time to do all these
other things I love, its always best to keep busy.
I
know I’ve asked you this question previously in other interviews
I’ve done with you. What is your verdict with the current state of
the UK Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal scene. Is it getting easier or harder
to participate with the scene.
Its
great to see it so healthy, especially when you see all the younger
fans at shows and starting bands of a similar style. But the lines
are blurred on what you have to sound like to fit in to these very
vague sub genres. We have changed a great deal over the years and
really consider ourselves just a "UK Heavy Rock" band these
days so as long as there is a load of shows that we can play at we
are happy to see it all blossom and get involved in the fun.
If
you could change anything about the scene. What would it be and the
reasons why.
I
would like to see more people at shows and buying merch from bands
rather than talking about how much they like stuff from behind their
computers and complaining about how hungover they are!
Before
you go do you have anything to say to your legion of GURT fans out
there.
YES!!
WE love you all, we have some exciting plans this year and make sure
you come see us, come say hi, buy some shirts, drink some beers and
lets all have a great positive 2018 full of kisses and wonders xx
Words
by Steve Howe and Gareth Kelly
Thanks to Gareth for doing this
interview. Thanks to Claire at Purple Sage PR for arranging this
interview.
GURT
Links
When
Planets Collide Links
