We were lucky enough to have a sit down with Taylor Momsen and Ben Phillips from The Pretty Reckless, who after just arriving from New York that day were set to play a sold out Rock City.
Is it good to be back in the U.K?
Taylor: It’s awesome, I f***ing love the U.K, definitely good to be back. After doing all the festivals this summer it’s great to be doing our own show.
You played a massive one at Download, how was that?
Taylor: Yer it was awesome, do you want a beer?
Then the interview began…
How’s the new album going down?
Taylor: It’s been amazing, mayhem is a good word. It’s been crazy, the fans are f****ing insane, so the reception has been amazing. We didn’t even know if the record was going to come out, to have it do so well is fantastic.
On tour we don’t play with tracks or anything, so we had a really produced record, and we had to find a way to strip it back for the four of us
What inspired the sound transition on the album?
Taylor: Probably touring. The first album lit me up, we recorded before we toured. On tour we don’t play with tracks or anything, so we had a really produced record, and we had to find a way to strip it back for the four of us. We did that, by turning up the guitars, which naturally makes everything heavier which we don’t mind. This was a reminder that we are to play it every night so not over produced just stripped back.
What’s been the most extreme thing that’s happened on tour?
Taylor: We go with what happens on the road stays on the road! We have had some epic shows though, rock on the rage in America, changed everything for us, and then we are at download and Isle of Wight which is awesome. We’ve just had a load of tours in a very short time, which is tiring, but it’s sick, really f***ing great.
We are very old fashioned band using old school tubed stuff, if something blows basically you are going to hear it
What can we expect from the live show?
Ben: We are hoping that the gear works, we’ve had two shows where things have packed up. We are very old fashioned band using old school tubed stuff, if something blows basically you are going to hear it. There’s no hiding it. As long as it all runs smooth it should just be a great rock n roll show, make people death mute and blind.
I’m a big fan of Heaven’s Basement, so what were your decision processes for the support acts?
Ben: They are like our best friends, and we have toured with them before. We just have a great time with them. I attribute it to blue man group, but in rock n roll… in a good way! Also our other support act Nothing More have blown up in the states, and what we have seen of them we highly rate.
Taylor: Should be exciting as we have three bands who provide three sounds.
Ben: (Cue the world’s worst British accent) Heaven’s Basement have smaller cocks though. This is my accent cos I am British, you f***ing w****r.
Taylor: By the second week we are all talking in British accents… terribly I’ll add.
What’s been the highlight of your incredibly successful year?
Taylor: Getting the vinyl was the best moment for all of us. We all grew up on vinyl, and seeing something you have slaved over, was amazing.
Ben: Going number one for 18 weeks doesn’t hurt anyone though!
Taylor: Out of the two though it has to be the vinyl.
So what do you want from 2015 then?
Taylor: Sleep and new songs, and new videos. We are also touring with Nickelback which we’re truly psyched about if it’s already been announced, and hopefully just some sleep!
We have just played with Soundgarden to 90,000 people, and it was f***ing awesome, and we all giggled around Chris Cornell, he just leaks godlikeness.
Who would be your dream band to play with?
All: AC/DC
Taylor: And Soundgarden. We have just played with Soundgarden to 90,000 people, and it was f***ing awesome, and we all giggled around Chris Cornell, he just leaks godlikeness.
So who are you listening to currently?
Taylor: High Flying Birds, I’m a really big Oasis fan, also didn’t Beady Eye just break up?
Hinting that Oasis are coming back right?
Taylor: Yer, I feel like it’s coming back, we’re like brothers! We’ve played with Liam before actually.
Is he has crazy off stage as he is on?
Taylor: No he’s super chilled, a really nice guy, just chills and plays guitar, and we love his clothing line, Pretty Green. We’re actually playing an in store at the end of the month in his shop!
Daniel Jones
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