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!
Lionheart
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
- Jimi is from Lanarkshire
- Dennis, Steve and Clive are from London
- Rocky is from Grantham
How long have you been playing together as a band?
Lionheart originally formed in 1980 so 38 years in total although with a few line up changes along the way except for Dennis, Steve and Rocky who have been in the band from day one.
Where does the name of the band come from?
Nowhere in particular, we just liked it.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
We play heavy melodic rock. What makes us unique is the 3-part harmony vocals from Dennis, Steve and Rocky which are our signature sound and are heavily featured. Also, the twin harmony lead guitar work from Steve and Dennis.
What’s your live show like? Why should people watch you?
Energetic, loud, melodic, passionate. We bring a wealth of experience to our live shows. We have current and ex-members of Iron Maiden, UFO, and MSG amongst our ranks so you’re guaranteed an evening of classic rock played by seasoned veterans who just revel in the sheer joy of what they do.
Have you played Wildfire before? If so, when?
Rocky and Clive have played at Wildfire in 2014 when it was known as Les Fest with House of X but Lionheart have never played it. It is a homecoming gig for Jimi as he was born in Rigside just a few miles from the festival site and his first gigs as a boy were in Lesmahagow & Coalburn with Dave Ritchie.
What sort of setlist can we expect?
We will be drawing heavily on 1984’s Hot Tonight album and 2017’s Second Nature album with a couple of surprise songs thrown in that people should know.
Which band are you most looking forward to seeing?
Unfortunately, some of the bands we were hoping to see are playing on different days to us but we’d like to see Vega, Buffalo Summer and Midnite City if we get the time to amidst our preparations.
What have you got planned for the second half of 2018?
We have just started writing for a new album so the second half of 2018 will mostly be spent recording that amongst the various band members’ other commitments.
What’s been the highlight for the band’s career so far?
Many highlights: Signing to CBS and recording our first album at the legendary Sound City Studios in Los Angeles in 1984. Many sold out shows at the old Marquee club in London, playing at the Reading Festival in 1981 and touring the UK with Def Leppard. In the last year highlights have been reuniting for the Rockingham Festival, releasing Second Nature, playing at the Sweden Rock Festival, doing a tour of Japan last summer where our album got to number 8 in the Japanese Rock Charts. And a UK tour last winter, including a packed out show at the Camden Underworld and the HRH Festival at the O2 in Sheffield.
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?
How long have you got? Between us we’ve been there and got the t-shirts and of course a gentleman never tells! Talk to Clive – he’s got more stories than Enid Blyton.
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!
We’d love to support Foreigner, Journey or Toto. There are many young bands we’d love to give an opening slot to but one band that recently stood out, who opened for us in Spain, are Eternal Psycho from Madrid.
What day/time are you playing at Wildfire? (If you have your slot yet!)
We are headlining on the Saturday Night.
Pistonhead Lager, Cloven Hoof rum or Thistly Cross cider? And yes, we’ll be counting the votes!
Pistonhead Lager.
