Ferocious Dog Interview: We're not interested in having a record label

Image: Ferocious Dog

Since scooping the gong only a few weeks ago, the importance of Skepta's Mercury Prize win has been widely documented. Aside from being the crowning glory of grime's ascent to the top, he created a ubiquitous feeling of self sufficiency amongst artists.

Writing, recording and producing under his own label, he showed all of those around him that no one needs to rely on corporate wigs to boost their profile and help them shift records. Without them, Skepta has gone on to do just fine.

Talked about much less, but equally as important, is a sold out show at Nottingham's Rock City that took place in late 2015. The headliners that night were local, folk-punk sextet Ferocious Dog - the first independent act to ever hit capacity at the venue.

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With a loyal legion of fans named the Hell Hounds in tow, the group have created an onstage monster. With high octane performances that invoke fist pumping passion, it's little wonder that the group have a trio of shows at The Rescue Rooms already scheduled in as part of next year's Red Tour.

This will follow the release of their third studio album, which is in the pipeline, and will look to emulate the success of their last release From Without which came out in 2015.

Before that, there's the small matter of a tour with The Levellers that begins in November. Here, Ferocious Dog will join their heroes as they bring their seminal album Levelling The Land around the UK.

Ahead of this, we caught up with the group to find out more about their incredible rise to Nottingham cult hero status. 

Your live shows are gaining you a massive reputation, what makes you so electric to watch as a band? How much of it is down to the Hell Hounds?

We just really enjoy playing our songs on stage, which happen to be mainly high energy songs. The Hell Hounds make the shows, though. Without them it wouldn’t be anything, but with them each show is brilliant to play from our point of view.

They’re also super important people to us as they help fund our albums by pre-ordering them well in advance of them being on sale, which generates the cash we need as an unsigned band to create the music. For this we’re always very very grateful to them.

Your show at Nottingham Rock City was unprecedented – selling it out as an unsigned band – how did you manage to accomplish such a feat?

We played Splendour Festival in Nottingham a few months beforehand which saw us pull a crowd of around 10,000 people who came to see what the fuss was about.

This then spiralled into loads of them buying tickets for our Rock City show and, along with the fan base we already had in Nottingham, meant a sell out on the night. It was the best night we’ve had so far as a band, and we’ve had a lot of great nights.

With next year’s Red Tour in Mind, do you have to step things up a level as interest around your music grows?

We like to think we always put maximum effort into our songs and albums. We only have the 2 out at the minute so we can’t wait to get the third recorded and released.

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Are more labels interested in you now or do you wish to continue independently?

We’re not interested in having a record label as we like to have full control of the songs, who produces them, what singles we release, and basically do as we please rather than being told what to do. If a label came in, like some have in the past, we’d always listen to what’s on offer and make an informed decision. But for now it’s a definite no and probably always will be to be honest.

Your third album will be released in time for the Red Tour – how are things progressing with recording it?

We’re hoping to release the album at the end of April but release 2 singles from it beforehand and play a few of them during the Red Tour. The Red album is shaping up nicely and already has a few surprises that we’ll be recording on it.

You're renowned for addressing socio-politcial inequalities in your songs - what issues have inspired songs on the forthcoming album?

We don’t really want to go too much into what’s going to be talked about on the next album just yet, we like to surprise people when they have their first listen!

You’re soon to be touring with The Levellers – firstly, what are your memories of Levelling The Land’s release? Have you always been fans of the band?

The tour with the Levellers starts in Europe in mid-November and we can’t wait. We’re huge fans and good friends with them too so it’ll be a real laugh.

My first experience of Levelling the Land was probably the one that made me take the violin really seriously as I loved the sound. It’s in my top 10 all time albums so I’m feeling really honoured to be on the support with our lads.

Ferocious Dog play Liverpool's The Zanzibar on Friday 7th October, tickets are available from the box below

Like this? Check out Ferocious Dog boost their schedule with 'Red Tour' dates

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