13/02/13
Frank Carter has a good relationship with Norwich. We know from interviewing him in his Gallows days that he used to while away the hours above The Cricketers’ Rest pub, a place that’s now as much of a shadowy memory as Carter’s Gallows-career. He would tattoo his mates, learn the art that he still practices as a pro artist at London’s Frith St Tattoo with his wife, Sarah. Ask him about our city now though, and those days might be eclipsed by the one day he met Pure Love partner, Jim Carroll at a UEA show. It was a serendipitous event that saw him change his musical course, to leave hardcore at the door, embrace rock in its variant guises. But we’re not asking Frank today – today, we take some time to talk to Jim…
We're taking full credit for the band starting in Norwich. We've only seen it in one interview, but it says that it's where you first met... Can you put some flesh to the story? It is where we first met but we both don't remember much of the details besides that we played a show together. We didn't stay in contact or anything until we were put in touch by mutual friends in Brooklyn.
I imagine those early days when you first became friends were spent trading musical loves; aside from your hardcore background, what influences did you both share?Our love of music was definitely a strong foundation of our friendship. Since as we were starting this band we were also getting to know each other, it was always a common ground that we found ourselves connecting on. We both love classic rock and punk as well as soul and R&B. Most of the musical influence from this band comes from the music we loved long before we discovered hardcore.
You're doing a headline tour next month, in celebration of your album coming out next week. You must be chomping at the bit for people to get their hands on it?Yes, it's been a long time coming. People already seem receptive so I have high hopes.
It's called 'Anthems', which is a positive statement. Did you decide on the title after listening to the album in full, or was it aspirational, something to work towards? The title was decided on while we were recording the album. Musically speaking, the songs have a very "big" sound to them and we felt that title fit perfectly.
The tour will mark your first anniversary as a band, if records are correct. It's been a fucking brilliant year for you, all told... It marks the first anniversary of us playing live but last February was actually anniversary of the bands existence. But yes, it's been a great year I can only hope 2013 is better.
The logo has made its way to a very exciting place - Hayley Williams' chest! Was it a nice bit of good PR?Hayley's great and she was kind enough to ask us to open a few shows for Paramore this summer. Those shows definitely help us gain some new fans that might not have normally heard the band and we are very appreciative of that.
Emma Garwood
Pure Love play at the Norwich Arts Centre on February 13th, along with Turbogeist and The Vestals in support. For tickets, go to www.norwichartscentre.co.uk. Read Frank Carter’s answers to our questions online at Outlineonline.co.uk