This year The Rockpit had a chance to sit down with a couple of artists at this year’s Rock On The Range Festival in Columbus, Ohio which was headlined by Metallica, Korn and originally with Soundgarden. Below are a couple of chats with Frank Carter of Frank Carter & The Rattle Snakes and the guys from Goodbye June.
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes is an English band that was formed in 2015 by former Gallows and Pure Love front man Frank Carter. Frank Carter & the Rattlesnakes are currently on tour promoting their second studio album, “Modern Ruin” which was released in January 2017 via International Death Cult. The guys will be touring with Papa Roach starting September 12-October 15. https://www.andtherattlesnakes.com
We may have the view that most UK punk bands are full of piss and vinegar, and they are but in positive manner. Though they aren’t political, they definitely have something to say and have no qualms about making lots of heard.
The Rock Pit had a chance to sit and have a very quick chat with Frank at Rock on The Range. Read what Frank Carter has to say.
The Rockpit: Where do your lyrics come from?
Frank Carter: I feel a lot of people are looking for answers. When you find the answers that provides a level of satisfaction and that’s the depth of all creativity. For us, we constantly looking for answers to questions that everybody has. It’s not unique to me. I don’t go out of my way to speak about politics, because everyone is entitled to their opinion. I go out of my way to speak about injustices that affects me and the people around me.
That’s why we speak out at our gigs about providing a safe environment for our female fans. It’s just not acceptable for me to have someone come to our show and have a bad time because of their gender, race, or religious belief, or any reason. So we’re trying to create a safe place for everyone, and it comes from trying to be a fairly well human. I want to treat others the way I want to be treated.
The Rockpit: As a relatively new father, is this where this is coming from?
Frank Carter: Yes, it came with that. I feel incredible guilty that I didn’t do this sooner because I’ve been playing music for 10 years. A decade of speaking out about that is a lot of change. I feel incredible disappointed in myself. I feel I let a lot of people down, but I can’t be too hard on myself. I thought more people would have that perspective. I found it and it’s better late than never. I’m doing everything in my power to speak out about it so that it makes a lasting impression on the people that watch us now. That’s the immediate audience I have, they’re going to go out into the world and hopefully think about their actions every day from now on. And hopefully women will feel empowered like men do.
I want everyone to have fun. I’m a performer, an entertainer. If they love music, they want to be entertained. They should be able to do that in an environment that’s safe. And they feel trusted. And they don’t feel intimidated by, that’s what we’re trying to provide.
The Rockpit: The last song, “I Hate You.” Okay, I get it. It seems to empower everyone. The audience participation was great. Tell me about it.
Frank Carter: There’s a lot to be angry about in the world. Everyday there’s a lot to be angry about. Like all things in rock n’ roll, our music comes from an aggressive place. But, ultimately it’s about positive change. What we’re trying to do is eliminate hatred by leaving on the stage and not carrying it with us. And that’s what we want to provide from people. Bring that feeling to the show, by all means. Rage with me. Let it out. But leave it there. Don’t take it home and give it to the people you love. Don’t give it to your friends. Don’t even keep it in yourselves. That’s terrifying and completely destructive. Hatred is one of the most destructive forces in the world. We want to leave it in a place where everyone is smiling with their fingers in the air, saying ‘I Hate You.’ Get rid of it in a positive way.
I’m sorry Frank had to go. I would’ve loved to continue to talk with him over a pint or two. Here’s someone using his celebrity for positive change. May we all be power for positive change! – Kevin Soney
Goodbye June is a rock band from Nashville, TN. The band is composed of cousins Landon Milbourn (lead vocals), Brandon Qualkenbush (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), and Tyler Baker (lead guitar).
Musical influences include Led Zeppelin, Kings of Leon, The Black Keys, and Jimi Hendrix among many other rock bands. Goodbye June’s music has been described as “blues-infused rock with hard-driving beats, blistering guitars, and down and dirty vocals.
The Rock Pit had the chance to catch up with Goodbye June during after their set at Rock on The Range and before their acoustic set in the Zippo Encore Experience. Landon, the lead singer said he can’t talk today and that it was going to be a really bad interview. It was nothing of the sort. They’re friendly and funny, that made for an enjoyable interview. The interview started on a somber note, remembering Chris Cornell.
Goodbye June: On our drive up from Nashville, we played all Chris Cornell bands, Soundgarden, Audioslave, and Temple of the Dog. We got drunk to commemorate.
The Rockpit: On that note, what has been going on with the other bands?
Goodbye June: With all that’s going on, we haven’t been able to talk with the other bands. But our personal story is we played a festival with them last week. We left early because we knew we were going to see them here at Rock on the Range. And that cuts us. We haven’t seen Chris live and today was going to be the day. And now that’s not going to happen, so we’re very sad.
The Rockpit: For sure. Thankfully we have his music to hold on to.
How does song writing work? Is it a shared process or is it done by one of you? After watching you perform, your music sounds heartfelt.
Goodbye June: Everything we write, we try to be honest. We write real lyrics. Everyday stuff typical consumes our song writing. The song come from a lot of places, a riff, a chord, progression, one of us comes with (makes music sounds), most play drums, so it may come from a rhythm.
We have books and books of riffs that we record. (I get shown a phone with hundreds of recorded riffs waiting to become songs. I feel privileged to be shown this.)
The Rockpit: Do you have any advice for up and coming musicians?
Goodbye June: Practice, practice, practice. Write, write, and write. Write the best song you can. Then write a 100 more and one of them will be good. It’s really about the song. Today it’s not about the album, it’s about the song. Because of the digital age, the streaming age, if you hear a song and don’t immediately like it, you skip to the next. You have to write a catchy song no matter your genre. A good song comes from honesty.
Goodbye June: We play the same regardless of the audience.
At one point they were playing in a bar for 3 people. Those three left along with the bar staff. So they played a show for themselves. Soon after they played “Live on the Green” in Nashville, Tennessee to 20,000 people, and the next day they played for 5 people. Regardless of attendance they love what they do and will always give it their all.
Goodbye June: We feel very lucky to be doing this. If one person paid to see us play, we’re going to give our best.
The Rockpit: What has been your best experience so far?
Goodbye June: We really enjoyed the studio experience, because we were in Nashville, so every song recorded was fun. Daisy is one of those songs; it was the first song we co-wrote together with our producer, Paul Moak. It was pretty special. We wrote it in about 20 minutes.
The Rockpit: What do you think of the digital age?
Goodbye June: First, we love Allison from Spotify. It’s different. Kids today don’t get the full album. Back when we were kids, if your favorite artist put out and album; it was a big deal, like “Star Wars” coming out. You get so excited and now that doesn’t happen anymore. Everyone is next, next, next. But, we love it at the same time because we reach so many fans. So, it’s a give and take relationship. We love Spotify. Once we figure out the pay scale, it will be great. One of our favorite songs, “Born on the Bayou,” we’ve listened to over 300 times. That doesn’t even qualify for a paid track yet.
They had to go right after this, so thank you Goodbye June for your time and music. So my last comment will be, if you love music and want artists to continue to make music, please support them. Buy merchandise, buy CDs and tracks, go to their shows, and turn other people on to their music. – Kevin Soney
