Save Your Breath is a Newport based five piece pop punk band who had literally just exited the stage at the Exeter Phoenix Arts Centre on Monday 6th october where they were supporting the mighty Kids in Glass Houses on their 'Farewell Tour', we collared Kristian (vocals) and Tom (Guitar) and had a quick chat about starting the band whilst in short trousers, Kristian's tattoos and playing at SXSW in America, here's how we got on....

You're called Save Your Breath, we've just watched you rock the stage at the Exeter Phoenix Arts Centre, can you describe yourselves in one sentence?

Well I've got black hair and a beard.....we're a pop punk band from South Wales, energetic, lively and annoying!

How long have you been together?

About 8 years, no, 9 years, I've been in the band 5 years next January so it must be 9 years! 

Since you've been in short trousers then?

I was about this big when I started out (puts his hand near the floor to depict a small child)

You're from South Wales, what's the music scene like there at the moment for this style of music?

It's getting really good actually, it's weird cos there's not that many pop punk bands similar to us. In Wales, it's as if everyone is doing different shit which is really cool, there's so many different bands that are all very good in their own genres

Are there lots of live music joints in Newport?

There's only one place that we hang out in Newport, it's called  Le Pub which is basically our home, it's pretty much where we all grew up together.

Do you have your own stools at the bar?

Not exactly, we knew each other from hanging out there, we've seen loads of our favourite bands there, it's like a family, it's a bit like CHEERS on the telly!

Your sound is quite 'American', do you have a strong following Stateside?

Yeah, we went over this year for the first time and we didn't know what to expect, it was only a couple of showcase events at SXSW but we were thinking 'wow, we're going to America', it was awesome. It's annoying though as we've had a strong following from the beginning but never really had the money to be able to get over to the States but now we have the people behind us.....There are also problems with VISA's, we've been offered tours in America before that we've had to turn down which is heartbreaking!

Kristian is pretty well 'inked' (covered in tattoos), where do you have them done?

I go all over the place, I'm actually a tattooist myself (day job), I started out just doodling on my legs and it went from there. I work in a tattoo parlour in Cardiff called Frontier so if you're ever in Cardiff, head down and see us.

Have you thought about heading over to L.A. to have some more done, though there's not much of him that's not covered in tattoos!

No not really, I haven't got any on my head and I'm keeping that clear!

What is it about the genre of music that you play that appeals to such a wide range of people?

It's honest music, people can relate to it very easily, it's catchy music that youngsters can relate to well, we've always written songs about the shit that we've all been through growing up so when you're playing to a younger audience, especially like tonight, you hope that they pick up on the message and feed off it. We're pretty much like OAP's now (Julian looks at Steve from musicmuso and says "what does that make us then?" - Laughter all round!)

How does it feel to be supporting Kids in Glass Houses on their 'Farewell Tour'?

It's an absolute honour, I wish that we said a bit more about it on stage, this is the third time that we've been on tour with them, they've always been there from the beginning, helping us, lending us gear that we wouldn't have been able to afford to buy or hire ourselves, we certainly wouldn't be where we are now without their help. It's hard to put into words really and it does sound a little over the top but they really have done so much for us, no gain for them at all other than knowing that they have helped put another band on the map. It's sad for us as it feels like the end of an era almost, we all grew up together, went to shows together and it feels like that is all coming to an end now with them going, it's a real mix of emotions, the tour has been fantastic so far and it's been an honour to be here but quite sad at the same time. The last date is a homecoming gig in Cardiff on October 31st and that's gonna be a really emotional night, there'll be lots of tears!

Any amusing stories that you can legally share with us about life on the road?

There's probably loads but......we always get asked this question and we're like "well, someone stubbed their toe once".....not that exciting at all really! I once spilt my coffee on someone's leg! 

No Motley Crue sized stories like snorting ants cos you ran out of cocaine?

We never run out.....

Do you find that you receive a warmer reception when you play in Wales?

I guess we do yes, it depends on what kind of shows you play, there's certain places where you know you're gonna get a good reception but anywhere is usually pretty cool. We always find it harder to play at home, you get more nervous, your friends and family are there watching you and you get the impression that they are there to be impressed by you so you always end up working harder than you'd normally do to win them over. They're a much more critical bunch!

There's loads of bands out there, please give us the names of some that you are into at the moment?

The Vestals, Decade, The People The Poet, Chain of Flowers, LYU, Slayer (small band, go check them out!)

We thanked the guys for sparing their time to come and chat to us and left them to head back in to take their places for the main event.... You can catch the band on the Kids in Glass Houses Farewell Tour, dates and venue information can be found HERE

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