We caught up with Dan Booth from FEROCIOUS DOG prior to the start of their 2016 tour schedule....
We chatted to Dan Booth earlier in 2015 when they played in Exeter, a lot has happened in the 8 months since then, their album has been released, half of Britain has disappeared under flood water and the Tories were voted in for another 4 years (the scumbags). We thought it was time to have another chat to Dan and see how things have been going, here's how we got on....
The last time we spoke, your album was due for release (must have been around Feb '15), looking back at the process, would you have done anything differently?
it was annoying for us to have to keep pushing the date back as we really wanted it out as soon as possible. Unfortunately the recording and the mix took longer than expected but that's because we're a fussy bunch who were seeking perfection. I certainly wouldn't change anything in terms of how we did it as the end product is exactly what we wanted.
You managed to sell out Nottingham's Rock City venue in 2015, there's not many bands that have managed to do that, how did that make you all feel?
It made us feel shocked and very proud. Rock City is a venue we all know very well and one we didn't dare even dream we'd ever sell out so we're still pinching ourselves now
You played at Beautiful Days Festival in 2014 and said that they adopted a strict '2 year rule', are you planning on heading back down in 2016?
We're not playing Beautiful Days next year as we're sub Headlining at Chagstock so we'll be concentrating on playing and promoting that gig next year
What was the highlight of 2015 for you?
There were 3 major highlights for us in 2015. The top one was definitely selling out Rock City and becoming the first ever Nottingham unsigned band to do it. Other Notts acts such as Sleaford Mods and Jake Bugg have done it, but not independently like we did. The 2nd has to be pulling the biggest ever crowd on the 2nd stage at Splendour Festival in Nottingham. 10,000 turned up for us which is more than any other act ever. That was completely surreal. Closely behind that would have to be playing Glastonbury for the first time on the Avalon Stage. That was something we'll treasure forever
Are you a 'hands on' dad or do you leave Leanne to do the heavy duty nappies? Are you coping with the sleepless nights or is she behaving?
I'd like to say I'm a hands on Dad but I couldn't take any credit from Leanne. She does most of the nappies. Lacey-Lee is such a darling and rarely cries, sleeps all through the night and smiles constantly. She's a dream baby really and we feel lucky to have her. I'll hopefully be going part time in the NHS soon to spend more time with the family and concentrate more on the music too.
Have you all been to see the new Star Wars movie yet? If so, what did you think?
I don't know if the lads have seen it yet, we're having a bit of a break from Ferocious Dog since the tour and with it being Christmas. I took one of our patients on the ward to see it and we both thought it was brilliant. I'm a big fan of star wars.
I see you played an acoustic set with Ken at the 'Not So Jingle Bell Ball' in Chesterfield, do you do many gigs with just the pair of you and how well received are you without the rest of the band?
That was a charity gig that we did and quite a few Hell Hounds turned up in support. We tend to be well received because people who come to the acoustic gigs know what to expect. Some really like the fact that we strip the songs right back to their bones. Personally, I really enjoy the challenge of the 2 or 3 piece gigs (with Ellis) as you can't hide when there's no wall of drums, bass and guitar. It's a different style of gig
Christmas has been and gone for another year, how did you spend the day?
This year I had dinner at Leanne's parents and then we spent the evening over in Warsop with Ken, my mum, sister and more of the close family. We like to keep Christmas nice and compact with just close family.
I see that you're already booked to play a bunch of UK festivals in 2016, 'Chagstock' and 'Farmer Phils' are two favourites of mine, which ones are YOU most looking forward to?
There's a few that we can't announce just yet, one's a massive 50,000 capacity and we're sub-Headlining so that's going to be amazing. We generally look forward to every festival we play because we're lucky enough now to be in a position to say yes or no to festivals. So if we've said yes, it's because we really want to play it
The radio has been swamped with Christmas songs for the past few weeks, which one would you admit to loathing the least (or liking the most!)
Hmmm, I'm going to answer this twice! I love Christmas and all the cheesy songs that get played on the radio. There aren't any that I don't like as most take you back to a memory, if I had to choose one, I'd say Fairytale of New York would have to be the ultimate Christmas song for me!
'DogFest' sounds like something you guys have cooked up, tell us more!
Dogfest is something we've done at the Black Market in Warsop every year for around 4 years. The first one sold only about 100 tickets but as Ferocious Dog have grown the fest sells out well in advance every year. Previously we've had the likes of Dreadzone and Mark Chadwick and this year we've booked more up and coming acts such as The Leylines and Super Fast Girlie Show with a few well known acts such as Hobo Jones and the Junkyard Dogs. 13th Feb is going to be a really fun day of music
Looking back over new albums released in 2015, who woudl you say deserves the prize of 'Best of 2015' (you can't select yourselves....sorry!)
Mirrors by Reverend and the Makers is the stand out album of 2015 for me. It's not their usual style but it's executed with class and genius.
Any plans for new FD material in 2016?
Ken and I are constantly writing new material and Ellis is always banging out riffs for new songs so there'll be a single released later in the year for sure. 'From Without' still has a lot more to give so we'll not be recording another studio album in 2016. We will be doing an acoustic 'From Without' album though which will have strings and a few new bits added.
The question that everyone wants to know the answer to....when is the next baby coming?
Baby number 2 isn't something we're planning just yet! Lyla, Lacey-Lee, full time work and Ferocious Dog are what we're concentrating on this year. But we're open to the idea of having another brother or sister in the family!
We'd like to thank Dan for taking time out of his ridiculously hectic work.band/daddy duties to answer our questions and wish him and the rest of the band a very healthy, prosperous and SOLD OUT 2016!
Check their tour schedule below, if you can, get to one of their shows, you'll find yourself being taken by the music, if you're extra lucky, you'll get in the pit and have a good old ruck with the Hell Hounds (they're a lovely bunch really!)