Slam Dunk Bites: Boston Manor

Over the coming weeks, Already Heard will be highlighting a variety of bands set to play the Slam Dunk Festival later this month.

A lot can happen in 12 months for any band. For Boston Manor, the past year has been full of positives. From releasing their exceptional debut album, ‘Be Nothing.’ last September to tours on both sides of the Atlantic with Four Year Strong, Moose Blood, Trophy Eyes and Can’t Swim. Now they’re set to come full circle and return to the Slam Dunk Festival this weekend, just one year removed from their debut.

The North West group are leading a wave of emotionally-charged pop-punk, one that carries lyrical substance beyond ex-girlfriends and wanting to leave their hometown. Songs such as ‘Lead Feet’, ‘Forget Me Not’, and ‘Laika’ are infectious, hard-hitting and powerful.

Their Slam Dunk return marks a hectic summer for the quintet. A full run on the Vans Warped Tour in North America will be followed by a spot at the Reading & Leeds Festival. Before packing their bags, we caught up with vocalist Henry Cox to talk about the months ahead.

AH: It’s only been a year since you made your Slam Dunk debut. What are your memories from last year?
Henry:
It was a really great few days. There were so many of our friends playing last year; so we got to spend several days just hanging out with everyone & watching everybody play. It was really great. We also got to play some of our craziest shows at point so far; the rooms were at capacity every day & the crowd went nuts, I remember each show really vividly. I’m hoping for more of the same this year.

AH: Last year you were considered a new band at the festival. What advice, if any, would you give others making their Slam Dunk debut this year?
Henry:
Just have fun man, chances are it’s gonna be a blast. Hang out, and get in early for catering cause it’s fucking great!

AH: In recent months you’ve played on both sides of the Atlantic. Have you discovered any differences between American and British crowds?
Henry:
It’s weird; because in a lot of ways we haven’t. On the most recent tour we did there, we felt often as warmly received as we do at home, it was a really pleasant surprise. The main difference I would say is that kids are more dedicated to live music there than they are here. I often complain about this but I think a lot of people in the UK are lazy. If a show’s more than 30 minutes away they won’t bother. Alternatively, in America they often have no choice. Their nearest show might be 4 hours away, so they just get in the car and drive. That being said, I know a lot of our fans come from far & wide in the UK too, which we are eternally grateful for.

AH: Slam Dunk is part of a busy summer that includes headline shows, the Vans Warped Tour and Reading & Leeds Festival. Are there any cities you’re especially looking forward to?
Henry:
We’re really excited for the next 4 months. The headline shows span a lot of places we’ve never been to before; so I’m keen to see what they’re like.

Warped Tour usually takes place outside of the cities; in a big parking lot or a field, so you rarely actually get to go to the city you’re near. It’s a different entity altogether, it’s something we’ve never experienced but grew up knowing all about – we feel very lucky that we get to play it and we’re looking forward to it.

Reading & Leeds is something else, because we all grew up going to that festival. I first went when I was 15 – I bailed on getting my GCSE results and got a bus to Leeds. It was one of the best weekends of my life. I’ve seen some of the most memorable performances at that festival, also met some of the guys in the band there one year, so it holds a special place in my heart.

AH: As always, the festival is stacked with well-known and up-and-coming names. Who are you hoping to watch over Slam Dunk Fest weekend?
Henry: It’s jam packed. Go check out our friends in Turnover, Trophy Eyes, Citizen, Seaway, Milk Teeth, Puppy, Like Pacific and the boys in Casey, who we’re playing some shows with before the festival dates.

‘Be Nothing.’ by Boston Manor is out now on Pure Noise Records.

Boston Manor will be playing at 4:20pm on the Key Club Stage at Slam Dunk Festival on all three dates.

May (with Casey)
22 Buyers Club, Liverpool
23 Think Tank, Newcastle
24 Level 3, Swindon
25 Anvil, Bournemouth
26 Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff

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