On the radar: The Gulps
The Gulps are a band full of energy and passion, with members coming from Spain, France, Italy and Lebanon. We met the London-based band in Camden together with their manager, Alan McGee, who discovered bands such as Oasis, Primal Scream or Jesus and Mary Chain amongst others.
Interview Bruno Cruañes Photography Alex Amorós
Before we spoke to the band we hung out with Alan McGee, the legendary music manager to find out why The Gulps are the ones to watch.
How did The Gulps get in your way?
They stopped me at Borough Market and I turned them down. Franceso, the guitar player hung about so much I started to like them. Then I saw an online gig and then I became their manager.
Apparently, their sound did not convince you until you saw them for the second time. What potential do you see in the band based on your previous experience with other internationally successful artists?
Essentially, all they had when I first met them was really ´Stuck In The City´ and a bunch of songs that weren't very good. But they also had that superstar singer, Javi, who is one of the great ones. That's what they had – one amazing song and a rockstar singer.
How would you define The Gulps in one word?
Electric.
“That's what they had – one amazing song and a rockstar singer. ”
Alan McGee
We met the powerful band in East London where they are based and find out more about them.
After your success in Spain, with sold out concerts in Madrid and Granada, do you have any international tour planned for Europe?
Sure. The idea of touring again in Spain and Europe is on the table, most likely in Autumn. We were amazed with the response we had in March when we went there. Also this summer we’re playing a few festivals in Spain and France.
Beyond the indie-rock influences, what current bands or styles do you like to listen to?
It’s quite open and it keeps changing. Fontaines DC and Amyl and the Sniffers are probably our two favourite bands at the moment. Also, anytime we find our music on a Spotify new music playlist, we usually check the whole thing and there’s really cool stuff out there.
“There’s always a guitar band that breaks it and change the mainstream.”
The Gulps
Where do you see yourselves in five years?
Headlining big festivals. It’s the nature of the band.
You have suggested that guitars will soon come to the forefront of commercial music again. What is your opinion about the current mainstream scene?
Well, if you think about it, the mainstream has always changed over the decades. However there’s always a guitar band that breaks that trend and changes the mainstream. It’s been a while since we have seen this, so it feels we are getting closer and closer to get a rock band commanding the mainstream. We’re ready for it.
From your previous interviews it is clear that you are not afraid to experiment with other genres. In fact, one of your goals is to become ambassadors of disco-punk. What do you have in store for us in the future?
Yes, we never thought we were going to explore that field but we did and found out it’s what we do the best. We haven’t lost our guitar, punk and rock ’n' roll identity – we’ve just added more value to it. Experimenting with different sounds is something that any artist should do. Last month we went to Los Angeles to record a few tracks with Danny Saber.
What can someone who goes to your concert for the first time have to expect?
They should expect to see five tigers coming out of the cage.
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