16 Sep 2009 // An interview by Shade
What is the best gig you have ever performed at, and why?

We did the Parachute Festival a while ago - that was a pretty big buzz playing a couple of shows in front of 2000 people. The best gigs have been some of our Headlining shows in Auckland - the Album release launch just gone was pretty insane. It was the first time we've hit capacity at a Headlining show. To add to that - the crowd were LOUD!

What is your favourite NZ venue?

For bands like us, you can't really go past the Kings Arms. It's a big room with a killer sound system but it also retains enough intimacy so we can really interact with the crowd. We've had a lot of awesome shows there.

What NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?

I wouldn't say there's anyone one specific artist or group who's not in the spotlight enough - but I'd definitely like to see a wider spread of NZ musicians getting mainstream attention. We have so many bands and artists with huge international appeal in NZ and so many seem to be getting overlooked by our own market.

What is your most embarrassing on tour/gig moment?

Personally, Finishing up a set at Shadows in Auckland and I was lying all over the foldback monitors, really selling the intense rock and roll pose. I'd been drinking well before the show and during so when I tried to get back up to a standing position I ended up arsing it off the stage and into the crowd. A bit dazed I stood up, gave my guitar to someone in the crowd and walked off only ro realise I'd just offloaded my guitar to a complete stranger. I went back, grabbed my guitar and returned backstage. The two beer limit was implemented not too long after that...

How did you come up with the name These Four Walls?

Our old guitarist Spencer came up with it, We were sitting around the old practice space (a tiny soundproof booth) and we started talking about the four walls that we practice in. I'm sure there's a deeper meaning in there somewhere but it's roots are in the tiny space that we began in.

How do you describe your music?

It's pretty much our interpretation of what we listen to. Steve and I are both metal heads, Chris is a rock junkie and Brad is steeped in the grunge era. I've always been fascinated by heavy riffs and guitar layers but always hated how they're ruined by over the top vocals or tasteless drums - especially the trend that lingered from the turn of the century to stick to half time! So I just write music that I'd like to hear and this is what comes out.

What can we expect to see from These Four Walls over the next year?

Lots of shows. Lots of touring. More singles. More of everything really. We're about ready to kick open the door and charge on through. The album is out and we've got no reason to not get our asses everywhere!

What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?

First of all (and I know I sound like a prick saying it but...) don't suck. Once you know what you want to do - learn to do it well. There are SO many bands in NZ and if you want to get noticed, you need to have your A game in your back pocket at all times.

Secondly - Believe in what you're doing - if you don't care, you can't expect your audience to care.

These Four Walls have achieved a lot in the last two and a half years. Since releasing their debut album Down Falls An Empire in September 2009, they have had two songs reach the Top 10 on the Rock Charts (Sweet December, Lay it Out), the album itself reached #22 on the Album charts, and also set a record for pre-orders on www.amplifier.co.nz, beating the previous record set by Fat Freddy’s Drop.

The band has supported international acts such as Disturbed, Nickelback, Karnivool and The Butterfly Effect; they’ve toured Australia and undertaken multiple headlining tours of New Zealand, consistently growing their fanbase.

And most impressively, they’ve done all of this as an unsigned, independent act. Their successes to date have been the result of hard work, a dedication to crafting great rock songs, and an impressive live show that incorporates their powerful, heavy riffing with soaring melodies and a tight, energetic performance.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for These Four Walls

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