Ghouls // BEHIND THE BAND

Ghouls hit our shores in April, touring with Foxblood for the ‘No Better Place To Be’ tour where they will be playing with loads of amazing Aussie supports! We were able to catch up with their load singer Benedict Goold. From stating back in 2013, to their first album in 2014 you will learn lots this week!

//Can you give us a brief history of the band and releases?//

Ghouls as we are today didn’t really start until about mid 2013. Before that there had been a band made up of slightly different members and despite it being called ‘Ghouls’ it wasn’t being taken very seriously. We released our first album in April 2014 - actually 4 years to the day that we land in Australia this year which is a bit surreal. Following that was our Great Expectations EP and Mini Album in 2015. Then last year we released our second album - RUN and most recently we dropped a new single called Internet Famous.

//How did the band originate?//

Each individual member of Ghouls moved to London independently, before we even knew each other. Through various means and the London music scene we came together to form Ghouls. We never set out to be the band we are; to sound a certain way or belong to a scene - who you hear with Ghouls is simply what it sounds like when the 5 of us play together.

//What's the first band who made you love music?//

I remember the first time I listened to music and realised I was actually interested in what was going on. I’d gotten an stereo for my birthday when I was 10 years old and to go with it my parents had bought me a compilation CD - it was Top of the Pops 2001. On that CD was The Rock Show by Blink 182, my friend and me used to pretend we were playing it with a toy electric guitar. Hearing that song is what lead to me eventually learning to play guitar and then play in bands.

//Who inspires you to make music now?//

Like most people, I find myself still taking a lot of influence musically from those old Blink and Green Day albums. Saying that though, my music taste is a lot more diverse these days and when we write songs in Ghouls we like to throw things into songs that you wouldn’t typically find in a band like ours. I would say that real life inspires me to make music the most; the drama and reality of every day living as well as the adventures that have been brought by making music and playing in a band.

//Can you tell me what this Aussie Tour means to you//

This Aussie tour is a massive deal for us. It’s the first time any of us have ever been to Australia, its obviously the first time we’ve been there as a band and its the 3rd continent Ghouls are going to have visited. When we first started making music and playing shows, we’d be driving half way across the country and thinking we were living the life. It’s crazy to think that these days we get to travel to places like America and Australia, all through playing music together.

//What have you heard about us Aussies?//

From what I know from hanging out with Aussies either here in the UK or over in the USA - things can get pretty rowdy and you guys certainly know how to party. We’re really looking forward to it all, especially the shows and adventures that will surround them. You guys are gonna have to show us how it’s done!

//Are there any places you want to visit while you’re here?//

I think we all just want to get stuck right into everything and anything. It would be cool to see the typical tourists spots and maybe see a kangaroo or something but also we’re stoked that we’re being taken around and staying with locals who can show us a bit more. The best trips are always those where you have a local guide who can show you the real spots and not just the tourist traps. We’re open to suggestions too so make sure to let us know what we should/shouldn’t do!

//How do you view your band now as opposed to when you started?//

We’ve definitely learnt a lot and been through some equally hilarious and hairy situations. We definitely have a better idea of how to do things these days - right through from touring to song writing to getting shows etc. Like any process you learn, grow, adapt. We still get told we look young despite some of us not being so young anymore but that is not anything to complain about!

//What's your favourite venue to play?//

Anywhere abroad. A venue we’ve played a few times that is very unique is the Cross Club in Prague (Czech Republic) - its a crazy maze of metal and weird artifacts but also we’ve always had a great time there and each and every time we’ve returned to Prague the crowd has gotten bigger and more familiar.

//Can you explain what goes on during the writing process?//

Usually I’ll write a skeletal acoustic song and then send it around to the others, we then come together and add our various bits - sometimes we completely pull the song apart and it sounds nothing like the acoustic demo and sometimes it comes together just as it was. Its a very organic process and we don’t ever force things.

//Can you explain the recording process you go through?//

To be honest our recording process is very much the same as any other band. We do like to get heavily involved in the production of songs and recording. The more we record the better we get - our latest release is definitely the best we think we’ve sounded on record.

//What does the live music scene mean to you?//

The live music scene is a place for like minded people. It’s a really important scene and I’m stoked we belong to it. I honestly think that the people who support the live music scene are the best people though. Especially those who come to shows to see bands they might not have ever heard of and take a chance on new music - that's something really special.

//If you could change one thing about the scene, what would it be?//

I mean, the thing about live music is its the hard work and sheer drive of passion that makes it so great but it would make a lot easier if it was more beneficial on bands and promoters financially. An entertainment industry like sports for example - it’s just as bigger deal to people as music and art, yet the sportsman and industry that surrounds the sport is so much more lucrative and that it means its a lot easier to maintain. From bands having to quit to venues closing - it would be great if a bit more money could go into the world of live music and bands.

//What song means the most to you?//

All the songs have a lot of meaning, especially for me personally as I write all the lyrics. Both our albums were written over periods of time and both sort of sum up those periods into eras of my life. Our latest release Internet Famous, despite being about the general subject of how the internet is taking over everyday life, is personal to me because an obsession with the internet and social media caused me all sorts of issues over last summer and writing that song was a reaction to it all.

//What's your favourite song to play live?//

I really enjoy playing Seasonal Affective, especially to a crowd that know it. If you do nothing else before we play in Australia, then make yourself familiar with that song so we can have a big song along on the chorus. It’s just a really good fun groove to play live.

//Would you encourage people reading this to start bands?//

If it’s something you want to do then YES! That goes for anything though. Don’t wait on doing thing, if there’s something you want to do just get out there and start doing it. When we decided to take this band a bit more seriously we wanted to record and release an album - instead of waiting for a label etc we set up a crowd fund and just made it happen. We then wanted to tour the states, we didn’t wait for a booking agent, we just DIY’d a tour and somehow made it work. And now, we’re going to Australia! If you want to do something, there’s always a way, just get out there and start doing it.

//How important is it to network with other bands?//

It’s just important to network with the scene because everyone knows everyone. It’s a small world and before you know it, you’re seeing the bands you played little basements in the UK with out in Florida. It’s nice to have friends too.

#Ghouls #Foxblood