Ghost of a Thousand
Parked up outside the Barfly’s entrance are three white vans. At the rear sits The Ghost of a Thousand’s reliable transport, inside which frontman Tom Lacey and drummer Memby Jago tell me how things have been going on what seems like a constant tour for the Brighton-based fivesome.
“We’ve had about a week off here and there, but other than we’ve been consistently on the road for 6 months now.”
Despite the miles under their belt, the two look barely phased by the fact that they’ve been living the best part of a year in a five-seater van. The work definitely seems to be paying off, with a Kerrang! Best British Newcomer nomination owing to the fact they’ve been winning themselves an army of fans.
“It’s been awesome, it’s getting to the point know where there at least thousands who know who we are now, so it’s not so much of an introduction anymore. It’s always cool to still win people over, I mean it’s been great to play for Flood of Red fans that are unlikely to have heard us before.”
And this is none more evident, than the fact that they will be opening the Lock Up Stage at the Carling Reading & Leeds Festivals next weekend. With a potential tent capacity of ten thousand, it’s got to be one of the highlights of their career so far. One wonders how a band reacts to finding out they’ve scored such a slot.
“We were bummed”. Chirps Lacey sarcastically.
“Why couldn’t we have been on mainstage?!” laughs Memby. Though they joke about it, a mainstage slot next year doesn’t seem to be too far off the cards.
Before they can continue, an eager fan taps on the window of the bus to get Lacey’s attention and get a shake of the man’s hand. It’s fascinating to watch, as these guys genuinely don’t seem to realise just an impact that they have made with their live show and debut LP ‘This is where the Fight Begins’.
Jago continues, “Seriously, We were desperate to get on [The Carling Weekend], and after getting on Download that was the next step. I‘ve been going there for ages, so it’s quite humbling.”
“It’s gonna be weird, because we’re playing before midday, so it’ll be a pyjama under the jeans job!” Adds Tom.
One thing the Ghost boys have found hard to stray away from, is this label that along with their friends in Gallows they have received, as being founders of a revivalist punk movement. When the issue is put to them, the looks on their faces tell me it’s clearly something they’ve been asked about a thousand times before, and find quite a laughable concept. Lacey is quick to explain,
“I think Gallows would agree, we both see it quite funny that people have lumped us into this revival scene. I don’t have a problem being compared to a great band. We had a few chats about it on tour and we both found it funny. We’re just two rock and roll bands.”
Due to technical delays soundchecks and subsequent press, out time is cut short together, but you always get the feeling when speaking to GOAT, is that they’ll happily catch you at the bar later. As far removed as they could be from the sonic destruction they create, Lacey and Jago come across sweet and approachable, and with their future laid out in front of them, it’s an attitude that will benefit them with critics and fans alike.
Andy R
Options:»
Interviews Index
