Sweet
Full Circle
2024 Metalville
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Tracks:
01. Circus
02. Don’t Bring Me Water
03. Burning Like a Falling Star
04. Changes
05. Everything
06. Destination Hannover
07. Rising Up
08. Fire in My Heart
09. Defender
10. Coming Home
11. Full Circle
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We got the chance to chat with UK-based indie folk band, Bare Knuckle Parade.
When describing a typical Bare Knuckle Parade show, guitarist and vocalist, Tom Cory, said: “Even if it's just one man and his dog watching the set, we make sure that him and the dog both leave singing our tunes!”
If there’s one thing you should take away from this interview, it is that Bare Knuckle Parade are here to have a good time.
We talked about the Bare Knuckle Parade experience, Avenged Sevenfold concerts, and what goes into writing a good drinking song. You can read the full conversation, below.
Angela Flores: Hey guys!
Jamie Beale: Hello!
Angela: Good afternoon! I hope you’re doing well!
Angela: Interviews like this take about an hour at most, but it's really passive so it's a great time to get things done like doing laundry or writing an email or something.
Jamie: Sounds hilarious.
Tom: I've just finished doing the laundry so I'm in the zone for that kind of thing!
Jamie: In England, we call laundry, washing.
Angela: Washing and drying? Or do you just call the whole process washing?
Ben Lythe: I always do laundry with friends because then you are better friends at the end of it.
Jamie: Washing and tumble drying!
Tom: There is no such thing as drying in England, there is too much rain for that.
Huey Smith: True dat.
Huey: We are all the best of friends.
Angie: You can have laundry sessions during band practices to become even better friends.
Ben: Even better friends!? Is there such a thing?
Callum Moloney: Boy, I sure do hope so.
Huey: Jeewiz guys.
Jamie: Friends backwards is sdneirf.
You started your band over a drunken conversation. A lot of times, people say they want to start a band but never really do. What was is like making the leap from talking about wanting to start a band to actually starting the band?
Jamie: Loud hangovers were much more of a struggle from then on. We were drinking buddies beforehand who all played instrument. It was only a matter of time I suppose - just took that extra tequila to set everything in stone!
Angela: Having to do things when you're hungover is the worst.
Tom: Tell me about it, I'm hungover right now!
Ben: But with friends, everything is better!
You apparently have a love for drinking songs. What makes a good drinking song?
James: Lyrics about booze in the key of G major usually. The odd "HEY" helps too.
Angela: The Hey's definitely get people excited.
Tom: A little too excited sometimes.
When I first saw your press photo, I honestly thought you were the typical indie rock band. I had no idea you had a Celtic, almost bluegrass, inspired sound. What are some stereotypes people have had about your music and how have you challenged them?
Jamie: We have actually had more Irish/Celtic stereotypical links, to be honest - although we come from an extremely Celtic booze-fuelled background, we have always had a lot more to offer as a band. Our rockier, hook-driven side has always been a pretty big factor of what we do - we have always tried to blend everything together and make the music sound like us.
Angela: I love that! I like how you've also developed your own live performance style that builds off your music. If that makes sense.
Jamie: Yeh, we love going nuts on stage and never planning how shit will go down - makes it more interesting because it's so unpredictable! Even for us.
Angela: That's a good thing - pre-planned sets are the worst.
Jamie: Totally!
What happens when the crowd just isn’t feeling it? How do you keep them engaged?
Ben: We still go absolutely mental. We aim to give each individual crowd the Bare Knuckle Parade experience whether they like it or not
Angela: What's the Bare Knuckle Parade experience? Booze-inflicted fun?
Tom: Yeah even if it's just one man and his dog watching the set, we make sure that him and the dog both leave singing our tunes! The dog would probably also leave drunk.
Angela: That's how you know you went hard.
Well, what two artists would you want to introduce to the world by having them open for you on your first international headlining tour?
Tom: Steve McFadden would definitely be one of them. He wouldn't necessarily open up for us due to being a soap opera star, not a musician, but we feel he would be a good laugh and keep us well entertained on the road.
Angela: He can do impromptu acts each night or something.
Tom: Exactly, I feel like his true calling is in stand-up comedy.
Angela: Any local bands you'd take?
Tom: There's a great scene in our area, so lots of great bands, maybe we should do a huge tour with a whole bunch of Bath bands! We played a show in Bristol a few years ago with our mates in Bite The Buffalo and the night absolutely went off, it was carnage.
Angela: Sounds like a blast! Bathfest2017, maybe.
Tom: Bathfest is actually a thing already.
Angela: That was lame.
If you were going on an international tour, what groups would you want to open for?
Tom: We'd love to open up for Bruce Springsteen!
Angela: Maybe Flogging Molly can join in, too.
Tom: Why not! Maybe we could get The Gaslight Anthem involved, also! A hilarious time would be had by all.
At That’s Why We Musyc, our staff members participate in a feature called “Growing Pains Playlist.” What are a few artists who were important to you growing up? Probably all the ones you just mentioned.
Jamie: Augustines are fantastic too! Johnny Cash was a massive influence on me as a kid! Frank Turner was my teenage years - college and all that! I was probably a little too into Avenged Sevenfold for my own good - had an old iPhone pickpocketed at one of their shows, actually. Good memories.
Angela: You can tell so much about a person by what they listen to.
Tom: I wonder what music the pickpocket was into. Actually, I suppose the fact they were at an Avenged Sevenfold show would shed some light on that.
Angela: Maybe they liked Nickelback.
Tom: Burn.
What is the most interesting way you’ve met someone in the music world, either a friend or supporter?
Jaime: We met a guy at this cool acoustic night in Manchester - we basically turned up in the city without any show booked for the night and searched around last minute for a place to play - the guys name was Jeremiah, I think? He was an old Irishman in a black suit with a black shirt and you could give him any word and he would recite a poem off the top of his head about that word. It felt like you were talking to a living legend. Cool guy for sure!
Angela: Did you ever see him again?
Tom: We haven't yet, but we all dream that one day our paths will cross again!
Angela: One Day!
You all are playing 2000 Trees Festival (again) this July. What is something you’ve learned while playing it that you're going to try and do differently this time around?
Jaime: We learnt that one set wasn't enough at that festival - so we are doing 3 this year. One of the best festivals in the UK - such a great vibe!
Angela: It's crazy because, in a way, you're competing for an audience since there are several bands going on at once.
Jaime: Yeh, that's what's so cool about it - if you pull a crowd, they have chosen to watch you over a bunch of other great bands - which is nice.
You've talked about how much you dig festival season. If you had to choose between only playing festivals or only going on tours, what would you choose and why?
Jaime: Hard to say, every show has its own personality and is special in its own way - we have played intimate shows and festivals that have both left us feeling like we are on top of the world. It's safe to say that we love both and I want it all!
Angie: Awesome! That’s about it for me. Thanks for chatting with me!
