23-12-2009Artist focus - Heavens Basement

Could these guys be the UKs next big classic rock act?

Every so often this job writing about music gives me even more joy than usual. More often than not it's when a new band of young talented individuals sends you a CD that literally blows you away. That was the case six months ago when we first featured Heaven's Basement on Rocksnail and our interest in the band has never dwindled. These guys are the real deal and at such a young age. We were lucky enough to catch up with band before their show at this year's almighty Sonisphere festival and we bore witness to a set that was one of the best of the weekend and witnessed by only a limited number of up to a thousand people due to the confines of the Jagermeister stage. The stage they set for themselves provides a showcase for why this band are being touted as Brit's answer to the lame Heavy Rock going around nowadays and they look every bit at ease in their surroundings.

In young guitarist Sid the band have a natural born superstar and as he swaggers his way through his performance you see a maturity beyond his years, ripping solo's behind the head, throwing himself about the stage into the crowd and all the time in perfect control of his instrument and with a beaming smile on his face, the way rock and roll should be. Each member though brings something totally unique to the band and now with tours alongside Buckcherry recently complete and Papa Roach coming up the band are looking to improve upon what they have already, "Last night was the last night, the whole tour was good and all the bands got on, we got to watch Buckcherry on the side of the stage, They were brilliant" and as the band state the cause of what has got them to this point is nothing but ”Tour.Tour.Tour.Tour, It's crazy because we played our first gig last April so in the space of a year it's been nonstop" Lead vocalist Richie says of their live show, "I think our live show has a little bit to do with it (the success) people listen to our CD then they come see us live and that's important because our live show is what were all about, as far as we're concerned if you're a band it's all about playing live"

If you haven't heard the band yet then you should, it's a mix of everything you have heard before from the classic rock era of the 70's through to now, all done with a nod and homage to the greats rather than blatant plagiarism. The riffs have an undeniable way of making your hips gyrate in the most raunch of ways, in time with front man Richie Heavenz whose vocal delivery belies his youthful exuberance. "There's not be a massive amount of bands we've toured with in the past that has blown me away, its more recently with Buckcherry and Black Stone Down that you realise you're not quite the level of these guys and you think we need to up our game. We played one show with Papa Roach in Europe and we we're like woah we have a lot to learn! Whether you're a mechanic or an electrician you have your apprenticeship, this is ours"

The band are also supported by an army of fans who help to promote the Heaven's Basement cause, "Our Fan's are awesome!" states the band's drummer Chris. At the moment it's this huge fan base and their dedicated support that allows the band to maintain their independence whilst they wait for the right deal to come along, as upon hearing the CD you would never have guessed that this is a self release! "The plan is definitely to sign when we're ready, we want to get the right deal, were so meticulous about everything. We've had offers come in here and there but when it works for both of us we'll deal"

"Basically we ain't chasing anyone" enthuses Chris in a strong willed and proud manner, the band seem happy in the knowledge that they will be back putting together a new record and are solid in their belief that next time round they'll be even better prepared. We wait with baited breath. When asked how the process of touring is affecting their role to step up to plate and give a solid delivery of the songs, "Each nights always a challenge, We try our best, we have fun but for us it's important to do a good show (rather than get wasted the night before) but tonight is the last show for a couple of weeks so there's going to be some carnage tonight" So how do the band prepare themselves for the rigours of touring? "It's just about getting in the headspace before you go on stage and attack it, I think we always do that pretty well, you'll have the one night where one of us may be a bit wonky!"

And when asked who the band would love to see Richie confesses his penchant is for "Alice In Chains, who are on at the same time as us" In a very rock star coincidence the band walk past and we all stop star struck. "No this (Sonisphere) is a perfect line-up for us then we're looking forward to the Papa Roach tour and getting back into the writing process" Busy times a head then, in closing I'll keep it simple. A great bunch of lads with songs that are more solid Brock Lesnar's biceps, if the band keep the mentality they have, don't fall too far into over indulgence and above all focus on the one thing they do really well, writing amazing good time rock and roll songs then the only way is onwards and upwards!