Glad to be Grey

Ever since Kathleen Hanna’s Bikini Kill bit the dust back in 1998, there have been few rock bands that have actually had the (metaphorical) balls to put their heads above the parapet and stand up for what they believe in. Well, now that’s all changed, with the arrival of agit-prop punksters Gallows whose new album Grey Britain, is so venomous it makes Simon Cowell seem like Santa Claus in comparison.

“This record attacks everyone,” states frontman Frank Carter. “It’s anti-authority, anti-religion, anti-government – it’s anti-life really. It’s mainly anti-apathy, though. I want to try and break the idea that you can’t make a difference. I’m speaking to the kids of the world and trying to tell them that they can change things if they want to. A lot of the younger generation feel worthless. In actual fact they are the future for all of us.”
Yes readers, he might look like the oddest teacher in the world, but the heavily tattooed hero of hardcore is actually talking a lot of sense.
“It’s time for a change,” continues Frank. “Whenever anything falls to its lowest point, that’s when the power is really up for grabs and that’s when it can go back to the people.”
Does he want us to take to the streets? “I’m not talking about a revolution of riots – I’m taking about a revolution of fresh education and to help people dream again and start having aspirations.”
The theme of Grey Britain is pretty simple - it’s about having pride in oneself and the guts to realise that a society which has grown fat on a diet of dodgy TV shows and take-aways isn’t going to last very long. On the record Carter attacks binge drinking (‘I Dread The Night’) the hypocrisy of organised religion (‘The Great Forgiver’) and politics (‘Black Eyes’).
“I’ve still got the anger in me, but it’s more refined and focused this time around. Beforehand we were quite a messy band. The music was always written and I was usually late with my lyrics, but this time I got to sit down and consider the whole concept and idea behind the record. I got to be offensive and completely attack my enemies. I’ve toned down a lot of the swearing because when I was writing the songs I just didn’t need it. The hatred and the bile was there without using any swear words.”
In so many ways Grey Britain is going to put a lot of noses out of joint once it hits the shelves. Right-wing National Front types will obviously be offended by the images of a dead, decaying empire. Punks will also be surprised to learn that for all intents and purposes, it’s a concept album, one that features a 33-piece orchestra, more samples than you can shake a stick at and (gasp) Frank actually singing on the band’s first ever acoustic track, ‘The Vulture Act I.’
As Gallows prepare to bring Grey Britain to venues across the world, does he worry that now the band are becoming successful they might alienate some of their fans?
“We’re playing bigger venues but this is the same band it’s always been and I won’t let anyone put a barrier between me and the crowd,” says Carter. “We’re all as one and you can guarantee I’ll be in the middle of them, leading the charge.”