#RoadToWildfire2018 – Aaron Buchanan & The Cult Classics

Much like we endeavour every year before Bloodstock, this year, for Scotland’s Wildfire Festival which kicks off on 22nd June, we’re interviewing every band set to play the stages of Wiston. You get to hear (or read) right from the horse’s mouth who you should be watching over the course of the weekend.

Previous years have seen some excellent acts grace the stages as our reviews can attest to and trust us when we say this year is no different! So get reading and listening so you can plan your coffee/beer/food breaks accordingly…

Our thanks to all the bands for taking the time out to answer our questions!

Aaron Buchanan & The Cult Classics

Simple things first – where are you guys from?

To put it simply, as individuals, we live all over the UK.

How long have you been playing together as a band?

This line up has been together for a year but The Cult Classics came about during the inception of The Man With Stars On His Knees record being cut back in late 2015.

Where does the Cult Classics part of the name come from?

Loz [Buchanan – guitarist] and I watched cult classic movies when we finished tracking each night the whole way through the recording process of The Man With Stars On His Knees (alongside The Big Lez Show). I’ve always been a fan of The Krays movies and Bronson amongst others such as Reservoir Dogs and Taxi Driver – you get the picture…

Describe your music. What makes you unique?

We’re pretty extravagant… we don’t turn up to work dressed like we just walked out of Tesco. If 100 people come to a Cult Classics show, I expect 100 people to leave as fans for life. We care about the image, the sound, the show – we’re not in this to recite music from an autocue. We rehearse, titivate and build our productions every time we have a show on the cards – we communicate because we care about each other’s success.

What’s your live show like? Why should people watch you?

We’re very energetic, I mean, on a show day we have 23 hours to chat and chill but maybe only 1 hour to make sure the band after us is scared they won’t be able to keep the pace. We like competition, almost as much as knowing the effort we put in is returned by the response of the people in front of us – we care about form.

How does it feel to be back at Wildfire?

It’s going to be great. Dave Ritchie is really important to the mid-tier live circuit right now. Scotland has gained a great festival from one man’s belief and enthusiasm – I care about Wildfire and am very excited to be back – we’re going to pull out all the stops for this one.

What sort of setlist can we expect?

A mixture of songs from both The Man With Stars On His Knees and Filthy Empire [Heaven’s Basement] – throw us a request. Y’never know, we may listen!

Which band are you most looking forward to seeing?

I never hedge bets on who’s going to be the best band to see anymore – I turned up to Reading Fest a few years back with the full intent of seeing Alexisonfire crush it (as a big Dallas Green fan) but I actually left as a fan of Years And Years. You can’t predict when a band is going to have a good or bad day; I just mooch around meeting people and watching when I can to see who’s the next guy I need to watch out for or up my game because of.

What have you got planned for the second half of 2018?

A tour is going to be announced very shortly and I’m dabbling with new music – keep your eyes on our socials!

What’s been the highlight for the band’s career so far?

We did a full European tour with Royal Republic for a month at the end of last year and it was stellar – we love those chaps and their audience was as warm and entertaining as they are. Huge testament to the phrase “You reap what you sow”.

What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?

I invented “The Crowdsurf Handstand” – what did your band invent? Haha!

If you were second on a three-band bill, which band would you love to be supporting and which band would you choose to open for you? A chance to plug someone you’ve toured with, or a mate’s band we’ve not heard of before!

I’d like to go out with Jamie Lenman (formally of Reuben), he seems wacky and wild and I like uniqueness, I don’t feel the need to constantly be seen with the American active rock crowd – the tours are always great and they sell out fast but the headliners are often dull in that genre, as if clichés are the only thing that matter. First support? My centre stage bloodbrother Mitchell Emms (formally of The Treatment) – I met him last year (funnily enough actually at Wildfire) and we hit it off straight away. He may as well be my boyfriend, he’s a great writer, superb vocalist – we talk often!

What day/time are you playing at Wildfire? (If you have your slot yet!) 

I honestly don’t know exactly what time we’re on, we’re a very “turn up on time and just wait ‘til we’re called on” kind of band – either way, it’ll be great I’m sure…

Pistonhead Lager, Cloven Hoof rum or Thistly Cross cider? And yes, we’ll be counting the votes!

Cloven Hoof, of course – they are hardcore flag fliers and supporters of The Cult Classics and the future of rock music in general. We owe them huge amounts of thanks for being so great to us as a band.

Aaron Buchanan & The Cult Classics: official | facebook | twitter | instagram | youtube | pledgemusic

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments