Punk outfit Gallows aim to take the Newcastle Academy 2 by the scruff of the neck on Monday. Matt Westcott puts the questions to bassist Stuart Gili-Ross. The band’s latest album is out now

YOU have been described as the best British punk band since The Clash. Does that weigh heavily on your shoulders?

“Not particularly, I wholeheartedly agree with that statement. If anything, I’d say we are definitely much better than the Clash ever were.”

Who or what has been the single most important influence on the band to date and why?

“Probably me, I’d have to say. I think my bass-playing is what really sets this band apart and makes people give a stuff about what we are doing next. I suppose we could be called Stu and the Gallows, but I prefer one word band names.”

How hard has it been to do exactly what you want in the form of your releases, given the constraints placed upon bands by record companies etc?

“It hasn’t been very hard at all actually. I think that every record company we have ever worked with has known what they were getting and no one has tried to change us. Record companies either fully embrace who and what we are as a band or they simply give up and accept it.”

Now recording on your own Venn Records label, how do you and band feel about the future and what does this artistic freedom mean for Gallows?

“Well we have always had artistic freedom, so it’s business as usual in that respect. As far as the future goes, we are excited to get back out on the road and play some new songs from the new record to the world. We are excited to get back to Australia next year and America later this year. Playing shows is what we enjoy the most usually.”

How did Frank Carter’s departure as lead vocalist last year affect the band?

“We had to get a new singer.”

How would you compare Gallows, before your break from recording, to Gallows now with Wade (MacNeil) at the helm?

“It’s got a different singer and it’s more fun, more focused and more driven. I suppose you could say we are reinvigorated with our music.”

Is there a reason why you have chosen to selftitle your latest album? Is it a statement of sorts?

“We have captured the sound we have always wanted to achieve on this record. It is the definitive sound of Gallows and that’s why we chose to self title it. That, and thinking of cool record titles is a pain and seeing as we have such a cool band name, we figured we’d just use that.”

What is it about the world out there that drives the band? Do you see your role as more than just entertainers? Are you a force for change?

“We used to see ourselves as a force of change, trying to get more British bands to play with conviction and passion, to stop pretending to sing in American accents and to embrace their own identity.

I think we achieved that and we changed the way the music industry looked at heavy music and underground punk. Now, we’re doing this for us, for our own fun and entertainment and if people want to come along for the ride, then that’s okay as well.”