10 Minutes With… Fights and Fires
With a relentless touring ethic and a DIY ethos Fights and Fires are one of the UK’s leading punk exports to Europe – and Worcester homeboys all. With two albums under their belts, they’re about to hit Europe for a remarkable 20th and 21st time since forming in 2008 – and show no sign of easing up. Ed Ling caught up with frontman Phillip Cox to talk Katy Perry, hardcore and the scene.
So… New year, new opportunities! What’s 2014 got in store for Fights and Fires, Phil?
We are heading to Europe, a couple of times, to wrap up the touring for our second album “We Could All Be Dead Tomorrow”. Then we’ll be working on a few new songs and hoping to head into the studio before the spring… Maybe to do a 7”… It’s all still in the planning stages.
I note that you’ve moved to Blackstar Foundation, a frisky but wholly stalwart Scandinavian label away from one-time Worcester hometown boys Lockjaw. What’s the story? Meatballs? Years supply of free salt liquorice?
We did two records with Lockjaw and felt that we had started to stagnate, then the guys at Blackstar Foundation approached us with a real passion for the band. They had a greater reach in mainland Europe, so it was a no brainer for us. We have been super happy with our new home but also still have a fond connection to the Lockjaw Camp.
You’re huge on the continent, but less well known in the UK. Some wags might even call you the David Hasselhoff of Hardcore. Is this fair… and where in Europe do you get the best response?
We have definitely made more headway in places like Germany, Belgium, France and Switzerland than we have back home. For now I think the Hoff is safe, but it’s just nice knowing that a solid percentage of the audience are turning up to shows to see us, and not just the support bands!
We had the pleasure of playing Groezrock [Europe’s largest Punk Festival] last year and it was easily the highlight of our careers so far. I think the audience contained just about every friend we have made in the last 5 years of touring. A few other stand-out cities are Nuremberg, Mons, Regensburg, Hamburg and Geneva.
Genres time. You’ve been described as (variously) Punk n’Roll and Geekcore – neither of which are bad monikers to have, as these things go. How do you describe your sound?
I have always been a great believer that in doesn’t matter how someone describes your band. We get lots of strange comparisons but, I always ask people if they like the band they’re comparing us to and if the answer is yes, it’s a compliment. We normally just go with “Rock’N’Roll Hardcore”, but that’s just because it’s more snappy then “Classic Rock and Punk… with a melodic modern Hardcore twist”, haha!
While we’re on styles and artistic exploration… Grunge and even Shoegaze revival seems to be a big thing at the minute, god help us. But if the kids want it… Any new direction in the offing for you guys?
Well I must admit to being a big fan of Shoegaze first time round… I have just never been a big fan of the way a styles becomes vogue and everyone jumps aboard. But with two new songs in the bag for us, all I can say is the punk side of our sound is definitely more prominent.
Are there any differences between Euro and UK “punk” crowds? Things seem to be tamer over here than they were when I were a lad (eeeh) – but I hear the kids may be a bit friskier across the channel, up for human pyramids, clambering up the poles in marquees and the like. What’s your experience?
People just love to drink and party more, ha ha! Also, the punk scene has a real strong sense of community. This all just means people have a blast! I think it also helps to loosen people up now they are starting to learn our songs.
By the sounds of it you probably get an air conditioned bus once you hit the Eurozone. Who or what do you listen to, as you cruise along those oh so well-maintained European Toll Roads?
Our trusty steed of a Van died on our last tour, after many years of service, so it’s rental vans for us for the foreseeable future. But music-wise we all have very different tastes, so we often take it in turn to do 10-song-long DJ sets. (You gotta pass the 6 hour drives somehow!) Mine feature the likes of Alkaline Trio, Mewithoutyou, The Menzingers… and Katy Perry to break up the noise.
Nothing wrong with a bit of Katy Perry (and I was being a bit facetious there, by the way). Finally though, are there any bands that really excite you right now – locally, in the good city of Worcester or further afield – and that you want to give a shout out to?
I am really liking Modern Baseball and Restorations at the moment… and excited for both bands’ up and coming UK tours. Friend wise, Sons Of Budda, Giants and Tall Ships are all getting some spins. Locally, I was always a fan of Tribute To Nothing, who are getting back together for a tour soon.
Thanks Phil!
Upcoming Tour Dates
Fights and Fires play @ The Marrs Bar, Worcester w/ACODA, Officer Down and Thirty Six Strategies on Friday 31st January
20th Mainland European Tour:
*** The tour will be presented by friends from Allschools, Stageload, Branzfinder, Lieblingstape and Blackstar Foundation ***
10.02.2014 – Namur (BEL) @ Faculte Universitaire
11.02.2014 – TBA (GER)
12.02.2014 – Bonn (GER) @ Bla
13.02.2014 – Nürnberg (GER) @ Zentralcafe / K4
14.02.2014 – Augsburg (GER) @ Ballonfabrik
15.02.2014 – Essen (GER) @ XI Eleven
28.02.2014 – Leytonstone, London (UK) @ Luna Lounge w/ Black Shapes
01.03.2014 – TBA (UK) w/ Black Shapes
21st Mainland European Tour:
13.03.2014 – Hesselt (BEL) @ Carpe Diem
14.03.2014 – TBA (GER)
15.03.2014 – Ecaussinnes (BEL) @ Festival Arc-en-Musique w/ Guerilla Poubelle
by Edward Ling
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