At Slam Dunk Leeds, Millennium Square is fit to burst. From barrier all the way to the famed Wetherspoons, there’s barely room to breathe. But this isn’t a headline slot. In fact, it’s not even 6pm. And yet the crowd are committing every cliche we try and avoid; pits opening up all over the place, frenzy inducing breakdowns and fist pumps a-plenty. And who solicits such a reaction? Beartooth, of course.
“It’s so cool, the fact that we’re lucky enough to have crowds like that. And to see the fans have as much fun as they do? It’s amazing. It’s really special that we get to do this and honestly, I’m just so glad people dig it.”
‘Digging it’ may be an understatement. By now we’ve got our expectations of a Beartooth show; perfectly executed and an enthusiastic crowd to boot. So it’s easy to forget that actually, in the grand scheme of things, Beartooth aren’t exactly veterans. With debut EP ‘Sick’ about to celebrate its fourth birthday (and full length ‘Disgusting’ only just turning three), age isn’t far off front-man Caleb Shomo’s mind.
“We really haven’t been a band for very long; it’s all going really well and it’s fucking crazy. I didn’t think we’d be doing this; not at this level and certainly not this quickly. We’re on our second record and usually you’ve got to in a few records, keep your head down and get shit done. But it just seems to be happening for us and I guess why not?”
Because whilst it feels like Beartooth hit the ground running – and Shomo’s previous role as front-man for Attack Attack! certainly planted the seed for his current success – their dedication isn’t one to be overlooked. As successful as a band can be, these things don’t come out of nowhere, despite how much Shomo wants to talk about luck. “We just put on the gnarliest shows we can. We go out, try and go nuts and rock the fuck out…we’re lucky to be in the place we are and put on those kind of shows.”
Their performances each and every day of Slam Dunk this year are testament to their live shows, an integral part of the Beartooth charm. But for fans, it’s that brutally honest approach and subject matter which really hits home and – excuse the pun – allows Beartooth to get their claws in. As Shomo puts it “I think from the beginning people connected with us and our shows, and when they come out to see us they kind of know what they’re going to get. It gets intense! Lyrically I try not to hold anything back and I think that’s something that people have been drawn to. My honesty and the bands honesty is always there and we make sure that’s at the forefront of every song.”
And let us not forget what goes into each and every song. A disjointed approach to writing isn’t exactly unusual, but it is when you consider Shomo writes each and every part himself. But with good reason, “I like to write alone, and I always have – it’s just how I work. I’ve always written from my personal experiences and tried to respect that process of what I’ve been through.”
“It’s a nice thing to have, and it makes writing easier, actually. I’ll sometimes work with a couple of other people but I just feel more comfortable writing by myself. It also means I can try things I usually wouldn’t – if it works, it works, and if doesn’t, well…nobody has to know because no one else heard it!”
Whilst we’re not sure we believe Shomo or the band as a whole are capable of producing anything short of brilliance, is there ever any worry that the unorthodox style could be of detriment to the final, raw product – the live shows? Apparently not, and if this weekend is anything to go by, we’re certainly inclined to agree.
“You know, performing brings the writing home. I think how we are as a band is interesting and the separation of the recording process and the live shows…it keeps it fresh. Fresh for everyone; the band AND the fans. We’re lucky to be in the place we are and put on those kind of shows. And we’re certainly not worried.”
And sure, Beartooth may only be a year into their second album, but we can’t help but get excited at the prospect of what’s next. The pressure is on, surely, for Shomo to face his demons and get almost uncomfortably honest once again. A daunting prospect if ever there was one but despite it all, Shomo has more than enough PMA about what’s next.
“I’m not at all worried. I’ve got one song that’s a hit so for all we know there could just be one really great song on the album…it could all be terrible after that, but that’s the day I stop writing. And I think we’re going to be OK.”