(Interview) Spitting Glass: "We wanted to lead with something a little more upbeat."
Updated: Aug 3
tarting as an enigmatic group with just one release, Spitting Glass arrived at Download Festival ready to make their mark. Fresh from an exclusive UK club tour and riding the momentum of their latest single, “Full Send", the band brought plenty of energy to one of the biggest stages of their career so far.
Ahead of their Download Festival debut, we caught up with vocalist Joe and guitarist David to discuss early set nerves, the reaction to new music, their connection to Download, and why festival season remains one of the best parts of being in a band.
So as one of the earlier sets today, how do you prepare not only to get the crowds ready but yourselves as well?
David: Coffee. I mean, I guess they prepared. Yeah, I mean I just wanted to go out there and have fun. I don't even think about it anymore.
Joe: We just hope everyone else is having a good time with us.
It was an explosive start to the day.
Joe: It felt very explosive.
It was great to be at the back. I was like, oh, I'm awake.
Joe: Ah, that’s so kind, thank you, and it was great, wasn't it?
You did an exclusive UK club tour ahead of today. How did that go? It must have been a really great way to start up for today.
Joe: It was amazing. The very first show at the Underworld was absolutely insane. It was just absolutely not what we expected, and it was beautiful.
David: Yeah, it went over really well. Unfortunately, I wasn't there for the Manchester show, but no, it went over really well. All of the support bands that were on each of the dates had great sets, and for me, that's a big part of it as well, and that is seeing everyone having a good time together.
“Full Send” was released last week. What has been the reaction from the fans and everyone?
David: They're just full send in it, right? (laughs)
Joe: Yeah, I think it had an even better response than when "HP" was released, and that was kind of, you know, by design. We wanted to lead with something a little more upbeat, I guess, it’s kind of more of a mosh track, and then follow it with something more heavy. So yeah, it's been a really good response.
It was really enjoyable to listen to on my way into work.
David: Thank you so much for that. That's so nice.
So, anyone discovering you today at Download, what is one song that you'd like them to check out and why?
David: "Monitor Me”, because it's heavy as fuck.
Joe: Yeah, I mean, if it's released, then “Monitor me". It’s not going to be out by the time you read this, but I think that collectively at the moment it is like a fan favourite and a favourite of ours to perform live for sure.
Today marks your festival debut, with the festival playing a role for many bands. What role has this had for you, and what makes this festival so special?
David: This ought to be my tenth Download personally. I first came here for the first time in 2008 when Kiss and The Offspring were headlining. The rest is history. You know, I walked onto this site and just knew that it was some kind of calling of mine. That's basically how I summarise what Download means to me. It’s a little different for Joe because festivals like this aren’t nearly as common in the US now.
Joe: Yeah, we are not as blessed as you guys (laughs). You have so many cool festivals between here and Europe. We do have festivals like Louder Than Life, and Danny Wimmer Presents has been absolutely crushing it with the festivals back home. This is my second Download, as I played last year, and it’s such an iconic festival. I’ve seen it online for years, so just being able to be part of it, especially with this year, has just been just so eye-opening and amazing. It's also honestly just such a homey fest, too. Because you get to see all your friends that you haven't seen in a while, and it's just everything that I just love about festival season.
David: It's also being able to catch up with your friends who are international, who you only get, you know, one chance of the year to see.
It is a gorgeous atmosphere, and this is my first ever festival, full stop.
Joe: Oh, welcome, welcome, welcome. One of us, one of us. (laughs)
It was so good. I loved every minute. If Download said you had to start a super group with two other artists from today's line-up, who would it be and why?
David: I'm legit just taking Jake and Luke from Unpeople because they are my favourite band in the UK. They're the next biggest thing here in the UK, and they've become some of my closest friends for a long time. So shout out to those guys.
Joe I'm just going to back that up or mention someone like Creeper. Those guys are awesome. Also Boundaries. Let's do Boundaries. I'm all in on Boundaries. That band absolutely rips. One of my favourite bands today.
And my final question is, have you actually ever spat glass?
David: I'm going to spare the details, but I suffer with something when I travel called spherocytosis. You can look it up if you wish (laughs). I had a very terrible bout of it about two years ago for like 5-6 days straight. I barely slept, and I didn't do anything; you know, again, I’ll spare the details, but it felt like I was spitting glass the whole time. We needed to change the band name because originally I wanted to call it Slumped, and there was a heavy Californian band called Slumped Out. So that's why we didn't shoehorn it. In the end, I am very, very happy with Spitting Glass.
Joe: It feels good and it looks good on merch. Everything looks good, it just works.
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Written by Kirsty Bright
Interview conducted by Eden Callingham
