"I Don't Care if We Have to Play in the Toilet!" - Look out Download, 4Arm are coming!
The United Kingdom; host to some of the muddiest, maddest and most monolithic music festivals in the world, yet no other punctures the ear drums of the crowds in such an obnoxious manner as the Download Festival. Not since AC/DC has the lineup featured an Australian act – a slot that has been gripped by Melbourne band 4Arm for the 2012 massacre. Metal As Fuck jumped at the chance to chat to Vocalist Danny Tomb on this extremely momentous honor.
Download Festival – playing on the Bedroom Jam Stage – quite ironic considering where you are playing and basically the magnitude of the whole situation!! [Laughs]
So not only have you cracked one of the toughest heavy metal industries in the world (Australia) now you extend the ‘forearm’ overseas. What was the initial reaction when you were confirmed on the lineup of Download Festival? “Total disbelief! We didn’t know how to take it or what to expect, we read an e-mail from our UK label, casually offering a slot at Download if we were interested, like it was that random. We were all like ‘WHAT?!’ oh yes that should be fine [Laughs] er yeah just complete shock and it hasn’t really sunk in yet either”.
Did you ever think this day would come? “No, to be honest, absolutely not but I fight for a reason, its why I play guitar, everyone knows that all I ever wanted to do was to feel what it was like to play at a massive festival (like Download) it’s a serious personal satisfaction for me”.
4Arm are the only band representing Australia at Download this year? Yes, 4Arm are the first Australian thrash metal band to play at the Download Festival – the last Australian band to play the festival was AC/DC, so we are making history!”
What do you think is going to give you the edge at the Download Festival? “The fact that we play on the Saturday where the only other thrash metal band playing that day is Metallica, we think this will separate our music from the rest of the lineup. Plus we already have quite a large buzz going in the UK already, the album is doing really well and fans are excited to see the band perform. I don’t care if we were playing in the toilet [laughs] we are introducing 4Arm to the world, so anywhere at Download is brilliant. Download is just the beginning for 4Arm, it’s beginning to snow ball you know – we have been approached by a few bands in the US to tour with them throughout the year already”.
So what are the plans once the band reaches the UK? “At this stage we are heading to the UK for Download only, getting in a couple of days before and heading out on the Sunday. It’s a great opportunity though to meet other bands on the lineup, enjoy the music, get amongst the atmosphere. We have plans to tour the States for about 30 days beginning in San Francisco, through Vegas and down to Texas & Mexico, then touring Europe around September”. Ok so just some light touring then. Have all of you travelled overseas before? ‘I haven’t travelled overseas as yet; the other boys have, so yeah I can’t wait!”.
What are your anticipations with the tour? “We just hope that the end justifies the means, justifies what we have done to get here like we have invested so much into 4Arm; we just want to see it thrive. Everything that has happened so far has its own satisfaction and achievement and we are grateful for this. Download Festival, the tours – it will all justify a next album for 4Arm”.
So for shits and giggles I have gone over what things to take and not to take to your first Download Festival, are you ready Danny? “Yes!”
- A hat “a hat?”
- Sunscreen “Check”
- Sunglasses “Check”
- Cash “Check”
- A tent - are you camping with the mud people Danny? [Laughs} “No we have hotel accommodation, but we will definitely check out the camping section”.
- ID, if you look under 16 Danny they won’t let you in, I’m sorry…
Now! What not to bring – Danny are you ready? “Yes!”
- No offensive weapons
- No glass containers
- No laser pens “Oh man, really, totally bummed”
- NO PETS of any kind Danny “No pets! Damn I guess my Guinea Pig will have to stay at home”.
- And lastly no Chinese Lanterns “That was the first thing on my ‘to pack for Download’ list” I know right - what’s the world coming to when you can’t bring a Chinese lantern to a festival?
