Like Giants

We caught up with frontman of the pop-punk four-piece, Dan Kai to talk dreams, song-writing inspiration and ambitions

Formed just this year, Midlands four-piece pop-punk band, Like Giants have been named finalists in the annual Fireball Hottest Band competition with the chance of performing on stage with some of their heroes in the Fuelling the Fire tour.

Now in its fourth year, the competition, organised by Fireball and Academy Events sees judges choose just one band from each region across the UK to open a gig at the respective regional O2 Academy performing with bands such as this year’s headliners Less Than Jake as well as Goldfinger and Save Ferris among others.

MIND-BLOWING

For a band just starting out, it’s pretty impressive. Frontman Dan says: “We didn’t get our social channels up and running until May but saw the Fireball comp on Facebook and thought we’d apply. We were all so stoked when we got the e-mail to say we were finalists. To stand on the same stage as bands like Less Than Jake is mind-blowing.”

The band is busy gigging across the country, last month London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Derby taking their brand of pop-punk to as many people who’ll listen, getting their name out and building up experience while holding down full-time jobs.

The four-piece consists of Dan on lead vocals and guitar, Sam on guitar, Billy on bass and Ben the drummer. In a round about way they all ended up together after Dan came up with a few song ideas to which friend Sam added some guitar and brought Billy into the fold to add some bass who knew Ben and they’ve been together since. They share the writing responsibilities with inspiration coming from personal experience mainly as well as random words or a book. Dan says: “Any story close to us really. We just want to make sure every song is relatable.” Generally, a catchy chorus comes first.

ESCAPISM

They’ve worked with producer Matt O’Grady who has produced for bands like Deaf Havana which was a bit of a dream. Dan says: “We met him, he was nice enough and we just hit it off.” The vibe is upbeat and happy and for those three minutes the band wants the listener to feel good. They regularly receive messages from youngsters suffering from depression, which band members have been affected by to, so this escapism is important.

The judges of Fireball Hottest Band described Like Giants as ‘bringing with them heavier riff-driven tracks, with hard-hitting, but also soft melodic vocal melodies which has helped set them apart from the ever-expanding pop-punk genre’. The band’s influences include Neck Deep, A Day to Remember and State Champs. Debut EP Sovereign is out now which includes their first single Cut and Run (check out Spotify).

RIGHT DEAL

Though not signed to a label yet, the guys have got their heads screwed on and feel the time’s not right just now. “We’re too new to push for a better experience if that makes sense.” Instead, the band is focusing on writing, performing and building their following. I’m sure if they were offered the right deal they wouldn’t say no, but they just not chasing it right now. The right deal is important. Top of the wish list are Hopeless Records and Pure Noise Records. Long term goals are a major tour and lots of festivals. Short term, beyond Fireball, the band is planning to get back into the studio as well as more gigging around the UK before heading to New York at the end of November.

GET SOCIAL: Follow Like Giants on Facebook @likegiantsuk for gig info and general band stuff.