Brisbane’s pop-punk upstarts Two Times Shy are soaring lofty heights as they let loose their …
“I just got out of a show playing to about 10,000 people which is obviously a good feeling. When we’re on tour with bands like A Day To Remember it seems to be a regular occurrence…”
Just another day for Ben Barlow, singer for Neck Deep then? He swaps from tired to bright: “Nah I’m kidding; to play to that many people is pretty wild! [laughs]” The level of success their last record Life’s Not Out To Get You has catapulted them to is still a strange concept in Barlow’s mind. “Ever since this band started I can’t believe we’ve actually managed any sort of success. It’s been an absolute dream come true but the whole journey of Neck Deep is one big ‘what the fuck’ moment.”
The band are heading to Australia with All Time Low in May, and they’ve swapped their usual club haunts for venues over five times the size. Speaking on Neck Deep’s way of switching between the two types of concerts, Barlow says, “When you’re playing the smaller, more intimate venues with no barriers, then it’s purely about the energy. You want to be in their faces, on top of them and getting sweaty. However, the big live shows tend to be about the performance and the spectacle. Trying to be really tight and give the crowd a really good experience as a performer and an artist. You have to have production that really enhances the show and to sing as tight as you can… You almost have to get into the crowd’s head and think about the show they want to experience.”
“I think from day one we wanted to make our shows energetic, fast and exciting. We just want people to feel like it’s their place. If they want to run around and go fucking crazy, that’s what a Neck Deep show is.”
[ Ben Barlow ]
Facing a giant stage and a crowd that may not care in the slightest, it’s understandable to feel a weight crushing down. For Neck Deep though, says Barlow, they’re really only there to impress one person. “It’s a little bit of pressure. At the same time, if we were bothered by pressure we would’ve cracked by now. We never try and overdo it or underdo it based on what we think people expect of us. At the end of the day we play a show we enjoy and we got into this to express ourselves, to dream and to chase our passion. If that comes across in our performances then we’ve done our job. If you walk away unimpressed, that’s fine. That’s one person’s opinion. But if one person walks away saying ‘I’m a big fan of Neck Deep’… That one kid that’s there, we’re one of their favourite bands and they loved it? That’s all that really matters.”
When asked about what fans expect in terms of the Neck Deep experience, Barlow confirms that it’s all about the pop-punk ethos that’s kept the genre alive. “I think from day one we wanted to make our shows energetic, fast and exciting. We just want people to feel like it’s their place. If they want to run around and go fucking crazy, that’s what a Neck Deep show is. There’s always been energy and that’s the most important thing. I think that’s what people expect. They want to blow off some steam; they’re going to move, scream and shout. It’s not just a show they’re going to bop their heads to. They’re going to scream along, mosh and that’s what people think is the best part of a Neck Deep show. There’s no real limits at what you can do; we just want you to have a good time. The more people we have screaming on top of each other, the better!”
Neck Deep will be touring Australia as main support with All Time Low and The Maine this May
Tickets on sale this Thursday February 2 here.
Fri May 12, Riverstage, Brisbane QLD – Lic/AA
Sat May 13, Hordern Pavilion, Sydney NSW – Lic/AA
Sun May 14, Festival Hall, Melbourne VIC – Lic/AA
Tue May 16, Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide SA – Lic/AA
Thu May 18, Metropolis, Fremantle WA – 18+
Fri May 19, Metropolis, Fremantle WA – U/18’s
