When NWOTHM is strong in the likes of America and Sweden it is in my opinion still quite underground here in the UK. Despite this, the movement is there and one band that can prove that is newcomers Tailgunner! Only being around for a relatively short period of time these young metallers have already made their mark on the UK metal scene, drawing in crowds with their fresh and ferocious sound. Having seen some of their band members perform in a previous project, I already knew that their new band would have an impact from the get go! I caught up with Tom recently to find out more about the band and what they have planned for 2023!
THE NWOTHM: For those who do not know who you are, can you tell us your band name, who is in the band and where you are from?
T.G: We are TAILGUNNER! We play ‘Laser Guides Riffs and Hooks that kill!’ outta England. Fast, loud, catchy as hell N’ we’ll take your face off. We are: Craig Cairns – Vocals, Zach Salvini – Guitar, Patrick van der Vollering – Guitar, Thomas ‘Bones’ Hewson – Bass Sam S – Drums
THE NWOTHM: How did the band form and is there any interesting story surrounding its formation?
T.G: For Tom, the aim was always to put together the band in his head since first hearing the likes of AC/DC, GN’R N’ Iron Maiden at 12 years old. Pure, uncompromising Heavy Metal with zero apologies. It was a mission that took almost 3 years, hunting high and low in guitar stores, metal bars and online, but the band finally came together in the Summer of 2020. From there we put our heads down, recorded the debut album, prepared to play live and launched in January ‘22.
THE NWOTHM: Since the bands formation what big milestones have you achieved?
T.G:We played our first headline tour 3 months after launching, with a couple dates in London and Liverpool at full capacity. It was an honour to have our first physical release on a complication album soon after, alongside legends like Demon, Grim Reaper N’ more. We went back out on another headline tour in the UK last Summer, hitting loads more cities off the back of our debut EP. From there, we penned a deal with Fireflash Records, who are a subsidiary of Atomic Fire, re-issuing the EP around the world in December! We are gearing up to release the debut album this Summer, as well as touring the UK and Europe!
THE NWOTHM: Can you tell us any fun/ interesting facts about the members of the band?
T.G:We’re probably the only people who could be in the band. We come from all over, with Zach N’ Pat being Italian N’ Dutch, Sam used to live in Spain. We’re based all over England and it really took our collective careers so far to find each other, knowing we share the same vision, to come together and make it happen!
THE NWOTHM: What bands and artists have influenced you and helped you to carve your sound?
T.G: Maiden, Priest, Helloween, Megadeth, King Diamond… So many more! We really love the NWOBHM, and we’re very proud to carry the torch for Heavy Metal in the UK, but we can draw from Rainbow to Bathory… and back!
THE NWOTHM: Can you tell us about your most recent release(s) and any background information to the music? How did the songs come about?
T.G: Our debut EP ‘Crashdive’ is out now via Fireflash Records, available worldwide! People can grab it from the Atomic Fire and Nuclear Blast stores. The EP is a compilation of our first year together as a band with the 5 singles we released in 2022. It’s a taste of the debut album yet to come, limited to 500 worldwide! One for all the collectors and treasure hunters!
THE NWOTHM: What shows have you got coming up for 2023? Any major performances you would like to highlight?
T.G: The ball keeps rollin’ all year long! We’re hitting festivals in the UK and Europe, as well as a full UK headline tour for the debut album, some mini tours with killer bands we call friends, being sure to hit those cities we wouldn’t otherwise on a longer run. We’re headlining this years Wildfire Festival, in the highlands of Scotland and playing the hallowed ground of Keep it True in Germany!
THE NWOTHM: Any other plans for 2023? With it being a new year, what do you hope to achieve in the upcoming months?
T.G: The long awaited debut album drops this Summer! We’re working hard to line up behind the scenes to take the album tour everywhere possible! Our first year was crazy for us, we wanna take that momentum forward, keep building and taking our Heavy Metal Mayhem across the globe.
THE NWOTHM: Where can people check you out on social media and buy your music/merch?
We’re under @tailgunnerhq on all social media! They can hit up our merch store via Shopify! tailgunnerhq.myshopify.com We’ve got exclusive merch drops around each single release this year too, so there’s loads of killer stuff to get your hands on!
THE NWOTHM: is there any thing else you would like to mention?
T.G: The next time someone tells you Metal is dead, play is louder than hell and prove them wrong! Never compromise yourself for anything and stay true. Heavy Metal for eternity!
Thanks again for your time and all the very best for 2023!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tailgunnerhq
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tailgunnerhq
Youtube: www.youtube.com/tailgunnerhq
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GUH950
-Tailgunner January 2023
#Tailgunner #Thenwothm.com #nwothminterview
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