THEY have played all over the world – but they know home is where the heart is.
Band of Skulls return to the city to play a homecoming gig at O2 Guildhall Southampton on Saturday, and they could not be more excited.
Guitarist Russell Marsden said they remember their roots no matter where they play – whether it is England, America or Australia.
He said: “It’s really important for us to stay grounded and keep our heads screwed on.
“Being around home and seeing your friends and going down the local pubs is one of the ways we do that. We try and get home as much as we can, as being on tour does get you homesick.
“Saying we are from Southampton, UK on the mic is really important, wherever we are. We make sure we say that every day. It’s becoming increasingly important to us that whatever we achieve, remembering where we started is more significant.”
Russell said the band had enjoyed a “crazy year”, with highlights including performing at Glastonbury, appearing on major US talk show Late Night with Seth Meyers and making a long-awaited appearance on Later... with Jools Holland.
On the latter, he added: “We were so pleased with Jools Holland because it was one of those things that was close but never seemed to work out. It’s like musical Top Trumps – you want to get a full set.
“It was amazing. We were there with Mary J Blige and it was just such a great laugh.”
The band released third album Himalayan in March but have vowed to play songs from across their back catalogue to keep the home crowds happy.
Russell, a former Wildern Secondary School pupil, added the band felt their most recent effort showed how far they have grown since their debut album Baby Darling Doll Faced Honey in 2009.
He said: “Going through two albums really starts to inform you what you are good at as a band. This new album has the best elements of what has come before as well as how we are continuing to develop, and so far the tracks are going down really well live.”
Although chart success has so far eluded them, Band of Skulls have found considerable fame, with songs used in Hollywood films such as Twilight: New Moon and major games including Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock.
They were also the subject of a Channel 4 documentary showcasing their journey from jamming in Southampton bars to global tours.
And their return to the Guildhall is a chance to show how far they’ve come since they started off playing small gigs around the city after forming in 2004.
Russell added: “Coming from Southampton and spending a lot of time playing loads of venues around the city is a big part of us. So playing Southampton Guildhall will feel like a big celebration.
“It’s even more special because we used to go to gigs at the Guildhall when we were younger. To play there is almost like we are playing a gig with our friends. Last time we were there it was mind-blowing but a kind of coming of age moment. Now we are really ready for it.”
The trio all grew up in different parts of the city – with Russell in Hedge End, bassist Emma Richardson in Hamble and drummer Matt Hayward in Bassett.
Despite the differences in geography they came together through mutual friends and a shared love of the same music.
Russell added: “We just gravitated towards each other really, despite going to different schools.
“We all had different sets of friends but we met through lots of different people and it was music that connected us.”
After playing the Guildhall the band continues their UK tour with shows in Bristol, Brighton and Exeter before bringing the curtain down in London on November 14.
Russell added they looked forward to spending time at home at Christmas they will start all over again in 2015, heading back to the studio to work on a new album and touring Australia next April supporting The Black Keys.
• Doors open on Saturday at 7pm. Tickets are still available for £20.50.
Band of Skulls Factfile
• Formed in 2004 as Fleeing New York
• Became Band of Skulls in 2008 Released first album Baby Darling Doll Faced Honey in 2009, which did not chart
• They followed that up with Sweet Sour in 2012, which reached number 14 on the UK album chart
• Third album Himalayan followed this March, reaching number 21
• The band’s highest-charting single, also called Sweet Sour, hit number 86 in 2012
• In 2009 their single Friends was included on the Twilight: New Moon soundtrack
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