Matt Davies continues talking about his band's first year in the limelight.
Last updated: 21 November 2008
Is it true you're playing guitar now?
Yes, I've picked up the six string. I've been writing stuff with the guys and they've been gracious enough to let me waltz around with some ideas. It enables me to bring my ideas right to the table, instead of having to take a guitar off Kris and show him what to play.
There are other instruments we might bring in as well, though. Ryan plays the piano. He's been dabbling and we might bring some of that in too. So thematically, it's going to be sounding a little bit darker, and soundwise, it's going to be a little more grown-up.
What was harder - playing to arenas in support to Iron Maiden, or playing to an indie crowd on the NME tour?
Definitely playing with Iron Maiden! There's no doubt about it. With the NME thing, we had a little bit of security, we knew that we had fans in the audience and that took the edge off slightly. But with Iron Maiden, you've got a band that's been around for 20-odd years, knocking out metal album after metal album.
They've got a humongous army of a fanbase, and it's a chance to play to that audience - but it's a tough audience, an audience that might not even want to be reached.
We were going out there every night wondering if we were going to get pelted by everything everyone had in their pockets. But I wouldn't have changed it for the world. Once you're onstage it's great, it's the hour before that kills you.
On your last UK tour, you put together your own bill, including bands like Swedish metal veterans The Haunted and Million Dead - is that sort of thing important?
We've always felt very strongly about using the band as an educational tool. We're all into different styles of music as a band, and the bill reflects that. Jonah from Onelinedrawing is one of my all-time heroes, and being onstage with him was unbelievable for me.
To be honest, that's one of the memories I'll never be able to shake - a man whose music helped me overcome so many hurdles while I was growing up, there on stage beside me.
I was moved the entire tour, I couldn't help myself. And Million Dead, as well - my favourite band right now. They have something to say, they're a political band - and that's very rare nowadays.
Words: Louis Pattison
