Up-and-coming musicians may dream of the rock star life, but those who have tasted success often advise against becoming too embroiled in showbiz ways.
Frank Carter would probably agree. “We talk about how rock and roll will never die, but we never really talk about how maybe the idea of the rock star should die,” the former Gallows frontman says. “The whole concept and what it means has always been this glamorised moment, but ultimately when I put that suit on, it didn’t go very well for me.”
Now one half of The Rattlesnakes alongside guitarist Dean Richardson, the band’s new album ‘Dark Rainbow’is their first since 2021’s ‘Sticky‘, and looks likely to continue a run of three consecutive UK Top 10 placings.
Since exploding onto the UK punk scene with first EP ‘Rotten‘, it’s been a bewildering eight years for the pair. Four killer albums, touring with Foo Fighters, headlining festivals, and featuring Tom Morello, Bobby Gillespie and Cassyette on their tunes.
Now, the two old friends are taking stock. “Normally we don’t look backwards when making a record, but this has been looking to reach us for a long time,” Richardson explains.
“Some songs are old ideas reworked, fresh eyes on something that didn’t quite fit on their other records.” Richardson remembers, “Some of these songs were lost along the way because basically we didn’t really give them the space.”
In contrast to their previous records – which were snapshots of the time and mindset in which they were made – ‘Dark Rainbow’ was, they say, born from self-reflection, memory and gratitude. “I’m just witnessing the world change so quickly and I’m still trying to come to terms with who I am and what the authentic version of me is,” Carter says.
“By giving people what I thought they wanted I think I got further and further away from who I actually am, you know? So now, first and foremost, I’m prioritising what I need. Sobriety has been really, really helpful for me.”
Carter says that this is the most “authentic” album he’s ever made, and that came from them doing the work, and really getting to know themselves and each other. “We’ve lived a lot of life together,” Carter says.
As they gear up for headline tours through the UK, Europe, USA and Australia in early 2024, in January, Carter and Richardson have never been more ready.
This article originally appeared in the Yorkshire Evening Post.
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