With Rifffest only a few days away we got to chat with Faux Pas ahead of the show.
1. So, you’re appearing at Rifffest at the weekend, how did you get involved?
JOEY: We were added to the bill by our good friends in Brooders, who we’ve shared many stages with over the past year and a half. They’re very much our musical siblings that we don’t get to see as often as we’d like to, so we always like to catch up over a drink / song / rant about the state of the world.
2. You’ve already had experience of playing festivals; how would you say that has helped you as band?
RU: I think festivals are weird. It’s like you’re on some kind of conveyor belt for the day and someone with an earpiece summons you for thirty minutes of chaos. When we were a little younger, I think they were quite a wake-up call as to the quality of band around nowadays; some great and others not so.
3. Are there any of the other bands that you’re particularly looking forward to checking out?
LEWIS: I’m really excited to catch Brooders and Hands Off Gretel, as always, at Rifffest. It will also be my first time seeing False Advertising, which I’m really looking forward to. On a different note, we’ve also got some great supports on our TV Made Me Paranoid tour which I can’t wait for. Venus, Avenoir and Elephant Trees to name a few.
4. What can the audience expect from your set?
JOEY: It’s going to be a well-orchestrated powerhouse that will make you happy to begin with; and will end by reminding you that your dreams won’t come true.
5. Rifffest is a great way to start 2019; what plans do you have for the rest of the year?
JOEY: We have our next tour throughout February, which celebrates the release of our next single TV Made Me Paranoid, and we’re working on lining up some dates for the festival season. So there will be plenty from us this year for you to chew on.
6. Do you have any good festival stories, either as a band or a punter?
RU: Lots of good stories; most of them would upset my mother, however! I saw Weezer at Leeds Festival when I was, like, 12 and I think that was the moment I was really like ‘fuuuuuck, music is what I need to do’. I remember getting pretty drunk at Leeds Festival the year we played, and everyone in the press tent snapped into action when I was being a dick, probably about The Sherlocks or Catfish, which I suppose checks out but, being a dick nonetheless.
7. What advice would you give someone going to their first festival this summer?
LEWIS: See as many acts as you can, even if you’ve not heard of them. Stick around a stage for a while and it’s likely you’ll find an exciting, upcoming band or hidden gem. Also, ignore the price of food; it’s a problem for future you.
8. What five items would you say are essential for anyone attending a festival this summer?
- Gameboy with Pokémon Emerald
- Apple juice
- A selection of fine pale ales
- A selection of ordinary pale ales to make the fine pale ales seem finer
- A stomach for adventure
9. As a music fan, which riffs from any band make the hairs on your neck stand up; and are there any riffs that you wish you’d written
Too many to choose from. We’ll give you a Top Three:
- Bee Karma (Wand/Cory Hanson)
- Yes (Manic Street Preachers)
- Purr (Sonic Youth)
10. If you could put together your own grunge / classic rock festival, which five bands would be on it and who would be your headliner?
LEWIS: Placebo; Queens of The Stone Age; King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard; Wand; IDLES; and Brooders headlining.
11. Thanks for your time. We’ll give you one last chance to tell everyone why they should come to check out your set at Rifffest at the weekend?
JOEY: Because it’s raw, guttural, emotional and it’ll control the masses.
The event will take place at Leeds Lending Room on Saturday 26 January from 5pm until 11pm.
TIER 1 Tickets: £5 [SOLD OUT] | TIER 2 Tickets: £7 | On the Door: £10
Ticket Link: https://www.musicglue.com/rifffest/events/c023c620-c7f8-0136-c73a-56198c45de53
