MARKET Harborough quartet Heaven's Basement, pictured below, head to Download following the release of Filthy Empire, their album produced by John Feldmann (Papa Roach and Good Charlotte) featuring the Fearne Cotton-endorsed debut single Fire, Fire. Guitarist Sid Glover does the talking...
Market Harborough? Is that a new hotbed of rock n roll?
Not exactly. There used to be a pretty good bar scene (Corby/Kettering) and there are a lot of people playing in bands but there isn't really one conscious movement of music happening. It's kinda the same as most places really, there's definitely a love of live music though. I'd love to say the whole area that I grew up in was rife with great music and rock n roll but I had to venture out of town to really find the guys I wanted to play with long term. There are a lot of great blues musicians around the Leicestershire area though, and that's kinda what got me started.
What is the history of the band?
We came together through a real connection of wanting to be a great live band. Nothing to do with following trends or success, just wanting to blow the roofs off venues with a real exciting show.
How would you describe your music?
A fresh take on old school rock n roll. That pretty much sums us up, not wanting to repeat anything that's been done by our peers but also appreciating the simplicity of what you can do with a guitar and a really loud amplifier.
Who or what have been your biggest musical inspirations?
All the guys that have stood the test of time I guess. From Robert Johnson, Son House and the American Bluesmen to The Stones, Zeppelin, Beatles, Pink Floyd, Sabbath, AC/DC, etc. We're really music fans so we like a lot if things; from Prodigy to Oasis, Muse to Slipknot.
Where and when was your first gig and how did it go?
It was in Kettering at a bar called The Sawyers. I used to hang out there a bit growing up so we figured it'd be a good place to try some stuff out.
Tell us about your latest album
It's called Filthy Empire and we wanted to make the best debut album we could – a real sucker punch from out of the blue – and I think everything we've been through along the road to get here has helped us to achieve that. It's available from our website www.heavensbasement.com.
What can we expect from your Download appearance?
Four guys that are hitting their stride of playing together live and really enjoying riding that wave! We're really looking forward to being able to play longer sets and introducing everyone some of our new stuff. It's gonna be a downright dirty rock n roll show. Good times!