It's only February but things are pretty busy for The Blackout. They are currently on tour with My Chemical Romance in the UK, due to play Soundwave in Australia shortly and will play Groezrock in Belgium in April. Meghan asked them what they were most looking forward to and what their plans are for the rest of 2011.
You will be heading out to Australia soon for Soundwave 2011, what are you most looking forward to?
Matthew: The weather! It's been horrible in the UK for months now, so we can't wait to see the sun for the first time in what seems like forever. And obviously playing too, we had a total blast last time we were in Australia and can't wait to play there again,
Will you be checking out any of the other bands that are playing the festival? If so, who?
Matthew: There's loads of bands on soundwave we can't wait to see and probably end up watching everyday. Iron Maiden are incredible live and are always good to watch. One Day As a Lion, Slayer, Stone Sour, Bring Me The Horizon and The Bronx we'll be checking out too. We're good friends with Silverstein and haven't seen them boys in 18 months so I can't wait to catch up with them too.
What will the band be up to after the festival?
Matthew: We fly back home and do a week of promo and then start a UK headline run. It's been ages since we've toured properly over here so we can't wait for it to start. I think we head out to Europe straight after that and then we're into festival season! We're hoping to come back to Australia later in the year by ourselves too. The year will fly by and be over before we know it.
If you could pick one of your songs that best sums up the band, what would it be and why?
Matthew: Thats a tough one! We've never really stuck to one style or sound so its hard to pick one song that sums us up. We've got heavy songs, ballads and everything in between. Maybe something like Shut The Fuck Uppercut off The Best In Town, or Never By Your Side of our upcoming album Hope that mixes screaming and melody and some massive riffs? Who knows?!
Do you prefer playing festival shows, or more intimate shows? Why?
Matthew: Again a tough one to answer! Festivals are fun just because you get to meet loads of new people, bump in to old friends and try win over a bunch of new fans who've never heard of you before. But there's something special about playing a small room and being able to see every person in that room rocking out and feeling the energy coming off them.
How would you convince our Australian readers to come and see you play at Soundwave?
Matthew: If you wanna see 6 out of shape Welsh men struggling in the Australian heat then come check us out! We play every live show likes its our last and put everything into it, so if you wanna see a high energy rock show with some killer songs, please come check us out.
Do you have a message for your Australian fans?
Matthew: Thanks! Thanks for listening to us, for coming to see us and just supporting us. It means the world to us that we're able to travel the world and do what we love and that's because of our fans!. See you at Soundwave and check out our new album Hope out on 01/04/2011!
Groezrock again this year as well - how are you looking forward to it?
Gavin: We love it. It's been A while since we played it. Last time we were blown away by the amount of people who turned up to see us. Just hope they haven't all forgotten about us.
What other bands do you reckon you will be checking out at Groezrock?
Gavin: It's gotta be Everytime I Die. That band have to e the best live band I've ever seen. The killed it every time I see them.
How does Groezrock compare to other festival experiences for The Blackout?
Gavin: From what I remember it was a pretty cool laid back festival. In the UK everyone is steaming drunk. Groezrock it seems to be all about the music.
