In our 25th installment of “Stumbled Upon”, we meet five piece alternative rockers Follow the Lion, and chat about being playing on the BBC by Tom Robinson and get a sneak peak at their upcoming EP.
Band Name:
Follow the Lion
Website / Social Media:
Facebook / Soundcloud / Twitter
Genre:
Alternative Rock/ Psychedelia
Members & their roles:
Dan Francis – Vocals, Guitar
Richard Swann – Lead Guitar
Paul Smith – Keys, Vocals
Mase – Bass
Danny Jay Barnett – Drums
What music or artists inspired you?
The first record I ever bought was Nirvana’s Bleach. I gave a kid at school my lunch money for a tape I think he had stolen from his brother. Best two quid I ever spent.
This question is so hard I get all John Cusack in High Fidelity about it. Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Marilion, Black Sabbath, Devin Townsend, Bon Iver, Soundgarden, Smashing Pumpkins and Led Zeppelin. Silverchair are a huge influence I think Daniel Johns is an incredibly clever writer and shamefully underrated here in the UK.
How did the band get started?
We all sort of naturally gravitated towards each other with a mutual respect for musicians with true grit. I think Smithy and I are the only surviving members from that first rehearsal. Swanny and I were in an awful band together for a while. Danny and I met at college and have sort of circled working together for years. I’m not really sure where Mase came from he was just there one day playing bass. He’s harmless though.
How would you best describe your live show:
All very dramatic and noisy really, with occasional quiet bits.
What shows do you have coming up?
Sat 21st Feb RS bar Sheffield
March 1st Packhorse Leeds
Friday 13th March 02 academy Sheffield
Wed 13th May 360 Club Leeds
Friday 22nd May The Rocking Chair Sheffield
Friday 26th June The Garage Glasgow
Sat 27th June Nice and Sleazy Glasgow
Keep an eye on Facebook for more dates.
Tell us about your latest release:
Our EP is out in April through Sound House Records. We recorded it in three days at Chair works Studio in Castleford, which has the most incredible drum room which you can here best on Low. It was produced by Steve Whitfield and mastered by Celt Islam.
We have just this week had Candy and Gravity from the EP played by Tom Robinson on the BBC which is amazing.
Where can I get your music?
Our EP will be available for download this April and there will be a short run of Vinyl copies made available for record store day. Right now you can find our EP up on Soundcloud or find us on Youtube.
Check out a playlist of past “Stumbled Upon’ artists on Soundcloud
