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Since 2007, this Joburg band has been rocking local audiences in and around the City Of Gold. Now in 2012 Only Forever are back from a little hiatus with a line-up change and a new album – Horizons Sets Fire – ready to conquer new audiences. The first single Black Sunday is gonna drop soon, so we decided to chat to bass-player Nick Gibbs about recording, touring and all that other band stuff…
Band: ONLY FOREVER
Members: Fern – Vocals, Nick – Bass, Jay – Drums, Sean – Guitar
Label: Turning Tricks Entertainment
Hometown: Johannesburg
Years performing: 6 years
Sounds like: [We] draw influence from bands such as Deftones, Chevelle, Incubus, Staind, Mudvayne, Karnivool… What you get out of it is ONLY FOREVER
So what have you guys been doing on your downtime in between albums?
We’ve had quite a few members come and go between the first album and this one so it’s been a bit of a rocky road but we’ve pretty much been gigging and writing new material.
So tell us a bit about the new album – where did you guys record, how long has it been in the making etc?
The new album is called HORIZON SETS FIRE. We recorded at Toneworks Recording studio with SAMA-nominated Paul McIver. I think we started recording about October 2010 but between going over budget a bit and losing a guitarist and then having to find someone to replace him it’s taken us nearly a year and a half to get the final product out.
How has you sound evolved and developed from the last album – will fans be surprised by your new material?
The first album was very experimental for us, we were sort of testing the waters a bit. IN SILENCE was quite raw to say the least. In HORIZON SETS FIRE we really concentrated on the writing process, trying a different approach, vocally and musically but still holding on to the heavy side that came from our first album. On a production level we wanted to work with someone that really knew what he was doing, that’s why we chose Paul. He’s worked with some really great artists throughout South Africa and [we] feel it really shines through on the album. [We] think the fans will see a big difference between the two albums.
Which song do you reckon fans will respond to the most?
OPEN WINDOW, BLACK SUNDAY or ALL FALLING DOWN. [They’re] all get-up-and-party tracks.
What are you most amped about for your upcoming tour?
For me [Nick] I’ve always wanted to break into the Cape Town scene and we’re playing two shows down there for the first time which is really exciting. We’re also kicking the tour off in Potch which is always a killer party! It’s just going to be great to get into some new areas and new clubs and show the people what ONLY FOREVER is really all about.
What goes on tour stays on tour. True or false.
I’m not at liberty to say…
Which places are you most excited to return to and why?
Has to be Potch!!! [It’s a] student town and those guys know how to have a good time.
Describe your dream tour bus.
You could pretty much just give me a fridge full of beers and a bed and I’d be happy. Ha-ha!
Does the same stuff that inspired and motivated you five years ago still inspire and motivate you or have these things changed?
I think the more you get involved in the industry the more you realise it’s not as easy as you thought it might be. The motivation you have in the beginning with always be there, I just think the way you look at it changes a bit.
What’s been the toughest lesson to learn about the music biz?
It really isn’t an easy industry to crack, you keeping pushing but sometimes you feel like you are just banging your head against a brick wall but at the end of the day if you want to play the music you love you just have to keep fighting on.
What’s the best thing about being a band in SA?
Just getting out there and rocking out with other bands that are in the same boat as we are.
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