Melbourne is a damn long way from Kettering, where the band played their first show back in 2008, but their love of touring hasn’t waned a bit. “We’ve never been to Australia and I’ve always wanted to go. I never imagined I’d have a reason to come, let alone that I’d be invited to come and play one of the coolest fucking festivals in the world. All of our friends who’ve played the bill just say it’s one of the coolest festivals. All the bands travel together, eat together, it’s just a travelling circus. We’re really happy it’s happening. We’ll just go out and do our thing and see what happens.”
Their debut album Filthy Empire was released a little over a year ago, produced by John Feldmann, a veteran of albums from artists as diverse as Hilary Duff, Reel Big Fish, The Used and Papa Roach. Now, Glover and Heaven’s Basement are “on top of the world”, he says.
“The response from the album has been so good. It’s really hard to process, the fact that we’re here touring this album that we released in last February. It’s obviously got a lot of life left in it yet. We’re a live band, really a live band, and we only really did the album as a reason to keep touring. It’s our ticket to go on the rollercoaster. The fact that there’s so much life left in it and the reception has been so great, it’s amazing. It’s taken us all around the world – Europe, America, Canada, and now to be sitting here in Sydney talking to you – it’s awesome.”
Often as time passes bands can start to feel the pressure mounting to record again, but Glover isn’t feeling it. “Although the creative juices are starting to flow,” he says. “A few ideas here and there, but it’s not like we’re saying, ‘Let’s sit down and write our second album’ at all. We’re very much still in tour mode. We’re going to give Filthy Empire as much touring as it deserves.”
All in all, Heaven’s Basement have come a long way from when Bon Jovi invited them to open their show at Manchester Stadium almost six years ago.
“When we first started out we were just kids having fun and not really worrying about anything,” Glover explains. “It’s been a long ride. It’s not like we got one big gig and it just took off – it took us literally years of just touring the underground circuit in England just playing any pub, bar, or corner that would let us play. We definitely built this up the old school way – playing shows to nobody, then going back and there were a few more people, then back again and there were a few more people. Years of doing that prepared us for when we did decide to sign a record deal, for when we did the album, and for touring extensively. That stuff helps keep you grounded but it also helps you appreciate where you are a fuckload more. It’s not just, ‘Oh I’m going to Sydney then I’m going to New York’, you’ve worked for it hard and you really find an appreciation for it.”
BY JOSH FERGEUS
