Gallows (band)

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"Lee Barratt" redirects here. For other individuals with a similar name, see Lee Barrett (disambiguation).
Gallows
Gallows live in San Diego in 2011. From left to right: Barnard, Gili-Ross, Barratt, MacNeil, and Carter.
Gallows live in San Diego in 2011. From left to right: Barnard, Gili-Ross, Barratt, MacNeil, and Carter.
Background information
OriginWatford, Hertfordshire, England
GenresHardcore punk
Years active2005–2015, 2018–2019 (hiatus)
LabelsHoly Roar, In at the Deep End, Thirty Days of Night, Epitaph, Warner Bros, Venn, Bridge Nine
MembersLaurent Barnard
Stuart Gili-Ross
Lee Barratt
Wade MacNeil
Past membersFrank Carter
Steph Carter
Paul Laventure
Websitegallows.co.uk

Gallows are an English hardcore punk band from Watford, Hertfordshire. The band was formed in 2005 after Laurent Barnard's previous band disbanded. Gallows' debut album, Orchestra of Wolves, was distributed in the United States by Epitaph Records. The band were subsequently signed to Warner Bros. Records for a £1 million album contract, and released their second album Grey Britain in 2009.[1][2] The band has been particularly successful in the UK, with two songs charting on the UK Single Charts, and have been featured in magazines such as Kerrang!, Alternative Press and Rolling Stone.[3]

History[edit]

Formation and Orchestra of Wolves (2005–2008)[edit]

Gallows formed in 2005[4] and released their debut album Orchestra of Wolves in 2006 on In at the Deep End Records. The album received acclaim and caught the attention of Bad Religion's Brett Gurewitz, who released it in the US on Epitaph Records, with new tracks including a cover of Black Flag's "Nervous Breakdown". In an interview Gurewitz named Orchestra of Wolves as one of his favourite albums of 2007, praising it as being the best hardcore album since Refused's The Shape of Punk to Come.

Gallows in 2007, left to right: Gili-Ross, Barratt, Frank Carter, Steph Carter, and Barnard

Gallows' 2007 tour included stops at the South by Southwest showcase festival, Warped Tour 2007, Download Festival, Taste of Chaos, and the Reading Festival, where the band paused its performance so singer Frank Carter could get tattooed onstage by New Found Glory guitarist Chad Gilbert.

The band won the 2007 Kerrang! Award for best British Newcomer.[5]

Their song "In the Belly of a Shark" is featured in Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.

Gallows' third single, a cover of The Ruts' "Staring at the Rude Bois", was their first UK top 40 single, appearing at number 31 on the chart on 25 November 2007, the track features guest vocals by Lethal Bizzle. The song was featured in the 2008 Jim Carrey film Yes Man.[6] The band in February released a single, "Just Because You Sleep Next to Me Doesn't Mean You're Safe", the video for which was filmed at Emo's in Texas.[7]

In January 2008, the band's show at the House of Blues in Anaheim, California was cancelled after Disney, reportedly after listening to Orchestra of Wolves, chose to ban them from performing.[8]

Gallows contributed a cover of "Wrathchild" to Maiden Heaven: A Tribute to Iron Maiden.

On 18 August 2008, the song Gold Dust was made available on the band's MySpace profile. They stated that the song would not appear on the second studio album, saying it was "...just a little treat for everyone that's been asking for new Gallows songs for a while."[9]

Grey Britain (2008–2011)[edit]

Former singer Frank Carter (left) and bassist Stuart Gili-Ross (right) in 2007

On 5 December 2008, Thrash Hits revealed that the title of Gallows' second album would be Grey Britain.[10] The album was released on 2 May 2009.

To support the album, Gallows performed the entire 2009 Vans Warped Tour.[11][12] and supported AFI on an American tour.[13] In order to tour with AFI, Gallows postponed shows in Australia and New Zealand.[14][15]

In December 2009, Gallows mutually parted ways with Warner Brothers.[16]

On 6 June 2010, Gallows played at Rage Against the Machine's victory parade at Finsbury Park in London, UK. They supported Rage Against the Machine and Gogol Bordello at the O2 in Dublin on 7 June 2010.

Gallows played at the Soundwave Festival during late February and early March 2010. They performed on the second stage at the Warrior's Dance Festival at the National Bowl on 24 July 2010,[17] played at the 2010 UK Sonisphere Festival,[18] as well as co-headlining Kent's Hevy Festival on 7 August 2010.[19] They also played Reading and Leeds Festivals 2010 on the Lock Up stage under the pseudonym of The Rats.[20]

On 17 December 2010, the band played at Dingwalls, in Camden, London, during the afternoon, and performed the entire Orchestra of Wolves album. In the evening, they then went on to Camden's Electric Ballroom venue, and played Grey Britain in its entirety, with four members of The Heritage Orchestra. Both shows were recorded for a live DVD.

Lineup change, Death Is Birth and self-titled third album (2011–2014)[edit]

Wade MacNeil, of Alexisonfire, replaced Frank Carter as Gallows' lead singer in 2011.

Frank Carter left Gallows in July 2011, issuing a statement that the band "have hit a crossroads in our writing process and unfortunately myself and the rest of the boys have different ideas regarding the sound of Gallows going forward. Gallows have decided they are going to continue on without me and I wish the boys the best of luck for the future."[21]

Frank's brother and bandmate Steph remarked: "As you all know, we've been in the studio for the past few months working on a follow-up to Grey Britain. It pains me to say that as of 1 August Frank will no longer be a member of Gallows. Creatively, we could not agree on a direction for the new record and came to the conclusion that parting ways was for the best. Frank will be releasing music with his new project Pure Love later this year and we all wish him best. He is and will always be our brother, as well as an integral part of the start of our career."[21] The band made their last festival appearance with Frank at the Sonisphere festival, and he played his final show with Gallows at London ULU on 23 July 2011.[22]

Frank Carter eventually formed another project under the name Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes, returning to his hardcore punk roots.

Former Alexisonfire guitarist/vocalist Wade MacNeil replaced Carter as Gallows' singer in August 2011, shortly after Alexisonfire announced their disbandment.[23] The band's first recording with MacNeil, the 40-second "True Colours", was released as a free digital download.[24] The 4-song Death Is Birth EP, recorded in Los Angeles with The Bronx guitarist Joby Ford as producer, was released that December through Thirty Days of Night Records.

Gallows began recording their third album, and first with MacNeil, in April 2012.[25] They launched their own record label, Venn Records, through which to release it.[26] The eponymously titled Gallows was released 10 September 2012, and was distributed by Bridge Nine Records in North America.[27][28] In February 2013 the band announced that they would be continuing as a four-piece, with Steph Carter leaving to focus on his other band, Ghost Riders in the Sky.[29] In July 2014 Gallows played a string of festival shows throughout Europe including Sonisphere Festival at Knebworth, and once again retreated to the studio in Watford to write and record their fourth album.

Desolation Sounds (2014–2015)[edit]

In the summer of 2014 the band completed their fourth album, titled Desolation Sounds, with the release originally planned for November.[30][31] However, the release date was pushed back, with the album instead being released on 13 April 2015. The album's first single 'Bonfire Season' was debuted on the Radio 1 Rock Show with Daniel P Carter on 11 January, with a release date of 9 February being given for the EP, which will also feature a remix and two bonus cover tracks.

Hiatus, other projects and return (2015–2023)[edit]

Gallows played their final show in support of Desolation Sounds on 31 May 2015 at the Rockavaria festival. Following the end of the tour, McNeil reunited with Alexisonfire for a run of live shows, while Barnard joined the band Krokodil and formed a new band, Gold Key. Barratt also founded a new band, Funeral Shakes.

On 16 October 2018 the band's Twitter account posted an 11-second video featuring their logo and dissonant noise.[32] A week later, the band were announced as one of the first eight bands to be part of the 2019 Slam Dunk Festival line-up.[33] Following their appearance at the festival, the band resumed their hiatus.

On 21 September 2023, ex-guitarist Steph Carter was featured on an episode of Sean Smith's Sappenin' Podcast and revealed that the band's original lineup had spoken about reuniting for a handful of shows. The plans unfortunately did not materialise due to undisclosed disagreements within the band.[34]

Musical style and influences[edit]

Gallows' music is generally categorised as hardcore punk.[35] The sound of Grey Britain often bordered metalcore,[36] while Desolation Sounds included elements of post-punk and gothic rock.[37]

In a 2009 article, The Washington Post described them as "a snarling punk quintet from England who mix Motörhead-like riffs with a rage that's born of working-class British bile".[38] They have cited influences including Black Flag, Minor Threat, Swing Kids, JR Ewing,[39] Drive Like Jehu, the Murder City Devils,[40] the Stooges, the Clash, Discharge,[41] Hot Snakes and Black Sabbath.[42]

Members[edit]

Timeline

Discography[edit]

Studio albums[edit]

Year Album details Peak chart positions
UK
[3]
2006 Orchestra of Wolves
  • Released: 25 September 2006
  • Label: In at the Deep End
  • Format: LP, CD, download
 57
2009 Grey Britain
  • Released: 2 May 2009
  • Label: Warner Bros.
  • Format: LP, CD, download
 20
2012 Gallows
  • Released: 10 September 2012
  • Label: Venn Records
  • Format: LP, CD, download
 51
2015 Desolation Sounds
  • Released: 13 April 2015
  • Label: Venn Records
  • Format: LP, CD, download

EPs[edit]

Year EP details
2007 Gallows / November Coming Fire
  • Released: 2007
  • Label: Thirty Days of Night (TDON015)
  • Format: EP
2011 Death Is Birth
  • Released: 5 December 2011
  • Label: Thirty Days of Night
  • Format: EP, download
2015 Bonfire Season
  • Released: 9 February 2015
  • Label: Venn Records
  • Format: EP, download

Singles[edit]

Year Single Peak chart positions Album
UK
[3]
2007 "Abandon Ship" — Orchestra of Wolves
"In the Belly of a Shark" 56
"Staring at the Rude Bois" (with Lethal Bizzle) 31
2008 "Just Because You Sleep Next to Me Doesn't Mean You're Safe" —
"Gold Dust" — n/a
2009 "The Vulture (Acts I & II)" — Grey Britain
"London Is the Reason" —
"I Dread the Night" —
"Misery" —
2011 "True Colours" — Death Is Birth
2012 "Last June" — Gallows
2014 "Chains" — Desolation Sounds
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.
"n/a" denotes singles that are not from albums.

Other appearances[edit]

The following Gallows songs were released on compilation albums. This is not an exhaustive list; songs that were first released on the band's albums, EPs, or singles are not included.

Year Release details Track(s)
2008 Maiden Heaven: A Tribute to Iron Maiden
2017 Still Having Their Say: A Compilation
  • "The Possibility of Life's Destruction"
    (originally performed by Discharge)

Music videos[edit]

Year Song Director Album
2007 "Abandon Ship"[43] Orchestra of Wolves
"In the Belly of a Shark"[44]
"Staring at the Rude Bois"[45] N/A
2008 "Just Because You Sleep Next to Me Doesn't Mean You're Safe"[46] Orchestra of Wolves
2009 "The Vulture (Acts I & II)"[47] Adam Powell Grey Britain
"London Is the Reason"[48]
"I Dread the Night"[49]
"Misery"[50]
2011 "True Colours"[51] Death Is Birth
"Mondo Chaos"[52]
2012 "Last June"[53] The Marshall Darlings[54] Gallows
"Outsider Art"[55] Stuart Birchall
2013 "Cross of Lorraine"[56]
2014 "Chains"[57] Desolation Sounds
2015 "Bonfire Season"[58]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Gallows working on new album". Punknews.org. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  2. ^ "Gallows dropped by Warner Bros. Records". Punknews.org. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  3. ^ a b c "GALLOWS | Artist". Official Charts. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  4. ^ "Style 43 » Blog Archive » EXCLUSIVE GALLOWS INTERVIEW". 11 October 2007. Archived from the original on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  5. ^ "Best British Newcomer | Kerrang Awards 2007". 30 August 2007. Archived from the original on 30 August 2007. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  6. ^ "Video". Streamos.warnermusic.com. Archived from the original on 20 February 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  7. ^ "Video". Streamos.warnermusic.com. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  8. ^ "Yahoo Celebrity UK: Showbiz news & gossip around the clock". Uk.news.launch.yahoo.com. 20 April 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  9. ^ "Gallows to release new track on MySpace". Thrash Hits. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  10. ^ "Gallows to name new album Grey Britain". Thrash Hits. 5 December 2008. Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  11. ^ "Warped Tour". 30 January 2009. Archived from the original on 30 January 2009. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  12. ^ "Warped Tour @ Oceanport 7/19 | inTuneMusic". 3 February 2014. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  13. ^ Puget, Jade. "ShyBoysWin". Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 17 August 2009.
  14. ^ "Music News » Gallows Postpone NZ Tour". Undertheradar. 17 August 2009. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  15. ^ "Gallows Postpones New Zealand And Australian Tour - in Metal News". Metal Underground.com. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  16. ^ Myers, Ben (6 January 2010). "Gallows' great rock'n'roll swindle". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 3 May 2010.
  17. ^ "Warriors Dance Festival". Warriors Dance Festival. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  18. ^ "Metal Hammer » Blog Archive » Sonisphere Announce 7 New Bands". 5 March 2010. Archived from the original on 5 March 2010. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  19. ^ "The Hevy Music Festival — 6th–8th August 2010". 21 September 2010. Archived from the original on 21 September 2010. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  20. ^ "Gallows at Leeds Festival - The Lock Up Stage, Bramham Park [Live] - #AltSounds". Hangout.altsounds.com. Archived from the original on 10 April 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  21. ^ a b "Frank Carter to quit Gallows". NME. 9 July 2011. Archived from the original on 25 September 2012. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  22. ^ James Gill (11 July 2011). "Frank Carter Announces Departure From Gallows". Metal Hammer. Archived from the original on 12 September 2012. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  23. ^ Annie Zaleski (9 August 2011). "Exclusive Interview: Wade MacNeil on becoming Gallows' new singer". Alternative Press. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  24. ^ Brock Thiessen (30 August 2011). "Gallows "True Colours"". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  25. ^ "Gallows to begin recording full length next week". Punknews.org. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  26. ^ "Gallows to self-release new album". Punknews.org. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  27. ^ "Bridge Nine to release next Gallows album". Punknews.org. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  28. ^ "Rock Sound EXCLUSIVE: Gallows Confirm Album Title, Release Date And Tour! - News - Rock Sound Magazine". Rocksound.tv. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  29. ^ "This Is STILL Not The News: All The Small Stuff You Missed This Week". Archived from the original on 19 February 2014. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  30. ^ Wade MacNeil [@wade_macneil] (12 August 2014). "The new Gallows record is called Desolation Sounds. You can't own it. It owns you" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  31. ^ Wade MacNeil [@wade_macneil] (12 August 2014). ""@13thmanifesto: @wade_macneil When can we expect its arrival?" Next couple months..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  32. ^ "Gallows on Twitter". Twitter.
  33. ^ Krol, Charlotte (20 November 2018). "Bullet For My Valentine, Glassjaw, Turnstile and more added to Slam Dunk Festival 2019 line-up". NME. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  34. ^ "Spotify". open.spotify.com. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  35. ^ Myers, Ben (6 January 2010). "Gallows' great rock'n'roll swindle". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  36. ^ Lymangrover, Jason. "Gallows – Great Britain". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 May 2015. ...[Gallows] rethought their plans ... [for] Grey Britain, and ultimately came to a decision to revamp their sound with a metal edge. There's the same screaming angst and relentless speed that was celebrated in their first outing, but now Carter's shrieks are backed by double kick drums and explosive speed metal guitar riffs that have more in common with Slayer and early Metallica than Black Flag or the Exploited. Shifting into metalcore territory is a tricky decision, since a lot of their initial appeal was due to the fact that they were making their own personal stamp on revitalizing punk — a genre that's becoming increasingly saturated with commercialism.
  37. ^ "Track By Track: Gallows - Desolation Sounds". DIY.
  38. ^ Porter, Christopher. "United Screamdom: Gallows". The Washington Post. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  39. ^ Lymangrover, Jason. "Gallows Biography by Jason Lymangrover". AllMusic. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  40. ^ ROBERTS, MICHAEL. "Q&A With Laurent Barnard of Gallows". Westword.com. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  41. ^ "INTERVIEW: GALLOWS [FEBRUARY 2015]". Punktastic.com. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  42. ^ DIVER, MIKE (29 April 2009). "Gallows Interview". Clashmusic.com. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  43. ^ "Abandon Ship". YouTube. 10 May 2007. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  44. ^ "Gallows - In the Belly of a Shark". YouTube. 25 June 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  45. ^ "Gallows - Staring at the Rude Bois". YouTube. 24 October 2007. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  46. ^ "Gallows - Just Because You Sleep Next To Me..." YouTube. 8 February 2008. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  47. ^ "The Vulture (Act II)". YouTube. 27 March 2009. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  48. ^ "Gallows - London Is The Reason". YouTube. 21 May 2009. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  49. ^ "Gallows - I Dread The Night". YouTube. 1 September 2009. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  50. ^ "Gallows - Misery". YouTube. 16 November 2009. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  51. ^ "Gallows - True Colours". YouTube. 29 August 2011. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  52. ^ "Gallows - Mondo Chaos". YouTube. 5 December 2011. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  53. ^ "Gallows - Last June". YouTube. 29 June 2012. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  54. ^ "'Last June' music video directed by The Marshall Darlings". Vimeo. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  55. ^ "Gallows - Outsider Art (Official Video)". YouTube. 14 August 2012. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  56. ^ Gallows. "Gallows - Cross of Lorraine (Official Video)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  57. ^ Gallows. "Gallows - Chains (Official Video)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  58. ^ Gallows. "Gallows - Bonfire Season (Official Video)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2015.

External links[edit]

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