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Irrepressible Brit hard rockers, The Rattlebacks, will release their eagerly awaited debut album, “Sidewinder”, out everywhere on Friday 15th November. The highly rated rock ‘n’ rollers will also reveal their explosive new single and video, “Dementia Lounge”, out on Friday 20th September. Coxy (rhythm guitar) talks us through the background of the band and offers up a few titbits about his musical journey.
What are the origins of The Rattlebacks, how long have you been playing together?
We formed in 2021 after two and a half years of looking for our singer Josh Clarke. So we have had more than enough time to become a high-functioning dysfunctional family, if that makes any sense? I have known Max [‘lead guitar] since the dawn of time, and I went to school with Seth [drums]. That just leaves our bassist and tattoo enthusiast Jack, we found him at the bassist adoption centre, and we have to say he is house-trained and everything. So that is The Rattlebacks!
What should people expect when they check the band out? How would you describe The Rattlebacks?
A band that actually cares for their craft and is passionate about the industry and what they are doing. So put us on the same bill with a band that is just going through the motions, and it will be night and day. The hard rock genre has been so dull for so long, so we hope to bring back a bit of energy and a bit of swagger to the game. If you like hard rock, we truly believe you will like The Rattlebacks.
How did you feel performing your first gig as a band, and how was it?!
It just felt right. You play with a lot of different people when you try to make it in this game, so you know it when you are carrying members or something doesn’t gel. At first, you are united by the idea and the music, then you perform on stage and everyone kinda looks around at each other and you all realise that we have stumbled upon something special. Then it just gets more electric every time you hit the stage as the chemistry grows!
What are you working on at the minute that people can check out?
Well, we had our first single “Please Me” off our upcoming debut album “Sidewinder” which came out last month, so that is the first taste of what is to come. And on September 20th you can expect “Dementia Lounge” which is much heavier than the previous single, so I am looking forward to getting that out there.
Regarding a similar audience, which band at the minute do you feel that you would be best suited to open for?
I think we nailed it by currently being on Tailgunner’s “Guns For Hire” tour, I truly believe over the course of time rock/metal fans will look back on this tour and go “Tailgunner and The Rattlebacks together?!!??!” They are going places, and we are next. Other than that, we all want to open for The Darkness, that is our big target so give me a call Justin and we can set it up!
Excluding yourself, which new band would you like to see break out and become a success?
Ah man we have lost some amazing bands that I thought would do it and do it big over the years. Bloodhounds were a truly amazing band, Press To Meco who I had the pleasure of supporting many times were amazing too (great to see Unpeople doing so well). But of the current bands Blue Stragglers deserve a lot more eyes on, the same with Saint Agnes and of course Tailgunner who I have already mentioned.
What frustrates you about the music business?
I mean a lot of things piss me off, but I love the challenge of this business. There aren’t enough eyes on bands and there hasn’t been for coming up to twenty years. Now the bar for music on the radio is so low. It’s fucking madness, especially when you see what Oasis have just done. Solo artists or pop artists don’t generate that kind of reaction, that kind of feeling. I think there is something so special about bands, it is the chemistry between its members that makes it the most exciting thing in the world. So, fingers crossed the Gallaghers can keep it together long enough to remind everyone why this game is so brilliant. If you’re reading this Liam, get me a fucking ticket man, 6 hours I queued!
What are your first musical memories? And what lightbulb moment made you say “I want to do that”?
I don’t think it is one moment, I think it is a series of events. It starts with my Dad having a phase playing an acoustic guitar when I was a kid, me finding out about “Appetite for Destruction”, then Max got a guitar so I got one, then I formed a band. But the moment it bit me was when I took the walk to the stage for the first time, I have been chasing that high ever since.
What was the last gig that you attended as a fan?
Blue Stragglers, in Brighton at the Rossi Bar. I must have seen them 20 times now and every time they get better. They even inspired me to write the music for “Gods” on our upcoming album. I was trying to write a song like they would, and it ended up sounding more like Velvet Revolver, but I am not complaining!
What current social issues are you particularly passionate about?
I think it is hard, I am incredibly critical of our current society in England, we all are, aren’t we? Viva la revolution as far as I am concerned. However, music is there to give an escape to people, so I think we are keen to avoid commenting on these issues where possible. Our music should bring people together and not divide them, that is the whole purpose of music.
The album that you have in your album collection/Spotify playlist that would surprise most people?
I don’t care who knows it, Robbie Williams. Some of that early stuff with Guy Chambers has real substance. Go and check out the song “Me and My Monkey” which is this epically long song about his cocaine intake in Las Vegas, a proper banger that.
Everybody is a fan of something, who or what are you a fan of?
I am just a fan of this niche rock industry, I adore it. It is the hardest thing in the world for so many different reasons, but honestly, I am unsure what I would do with myself if I didn’t have to go to battle with it every day. Everybody needs something to live for and I would die for this a million times over.
What new music have you been enjoying so far this year?
You are asking the wrong guy. I don’t think there is an album this year that I have had any interest in, unfortunately that’s just how I feel. I am so fucking bored of what is on offer. That is why The Rattlebacks exists because I haven’t been excited about new music since Tailgunner/Saint Agnes or Skid Row put their albums out. If I am not mistaken, they were all 2023!
What does 2024 hold for The Rattlebacks?
Our debut album comes out on the 15th of November and we have an 18-date national tour to support that. So please do come along and see it for yourself. I appreciate I talk a big game, so let us prove to you we don’t just talk the talk ay?
THE RATTLEBACKS live:
October
16th – Wolverhampton, KKs Steel Mill*
17th – Manchester, Rebellion*
18th – Northampton, The Black Prince
19th – Leicester, The Soundhouse
November
15th – Guildford, The Star
16th – Southampton, The Hobbit
21st – Reading, Face Bar*
22nd – Brighton, Komedia*
23rd – Bridgewater, Cobblestones*
28th – Bath, Burdell’s Yard
29th – Hastings, The Pig
30th – Liverpool, Zanzibar
December
5th – London, The Black Heart
6th – Sheffield, Hallamshire Hotel
7th – Norwich, Voodoo Daddys
12th – Hitchin, Club85
13th – Winchester, The Railway
14th – Newcastle, Little Buildings
*w/ Tailgunner
How active are you on social media and where can people connect with you?
We are on everything so you cannot miss us if you want to find us. Here are all our links, give us a follow, reach out, and say hello! https://linktr.ee/TheRattlebacks
Photo Credit Blackham Images
