We caught up with Manchester-based glam-rock sensations Dear Superstar before their set at Download. Vocalist Micky Satiar talks about what it means for the band to play the festival and the group’s plans for the future.
“Being on the other side of the stage at Download this year is insane”
S] What are you most looking forward to about getting on stage?
M] For us, getting on stage is almost like an anticlimax in a way because of all the other amazing bands that are on. The main thing for us really is just that it’s such a departure from usually being on the other side of the fence and watching. We have always come down here every year, so actually performing on the stage this year is fucking insane. We are going to rip it apart and I am not going to leave anything up there.
S] Do you have any pre-stage rituals?
M] We get wound up as much as we possibly can. Actually, we hit each other. Not aggressively or anything, and we also like to bounce around and sing some songs just to get in the mood and psyched up as much as possible. When we start to perform there’s no time to waste, you have to be ready. We always want to hit it 110 per cent and never slow down.
S] Obviously at a festival you can’t really deck the stage out with much, so in an ideal world what would the band’s festival stage look like?
M] If it were up to me I would go insane. I mean, in the past we have had burlesque dancers on stage and all that kind of stuff but you know, sometimes for us it’s like all that shit gets in the way and it’s like ‘C’mon give me my guitar and let’s throw ourselves around.’ When we eventually get to a point where the stage is big enough to accompany anything we want there’s going to be flames, fireworks and everything, we are going to have the whole lot. There’s going to be no budget for our pyro and it’s going to be awesome. We went to see Motley Crue a few years back and they had girls rubbing their crotches up against angle grinders and there was sparks everywhere and we love that stuff. Anything is welcome on stage with us.
S] You’ve taken a break from the tour with Papa Roach and Buckcherry for a few European dates – has there been a defining experience for the band thus far over the tour?
M] Yeah, we have been out with Papa Roach and Buckcherry in Europe for the past week, we have just come back to do another UK date with them and we are going to be getting pissed up at this year’s Metal Hammer awards as well which should be awesome. Then we will go back out to Europe again. It’s going to be a fucking trip and I cannot wait.
S] What’s the biggest rush you have had as part of that tour so far, because that’s a pretty amazing opportunity?
M] Yeah, right now we are riding on such a wave and it’s like we can’t digest it all fast enough. Papa Roach have always been a massive influence upon us and the same goes for Buckcherry so to be out on tour with them is just insane. That’s just the start, I mean we get on stage and there’s 4,000 kids going mental for our music and it’s like, ‘Can it get any better than this?’ And now we are at Download and meeting great people. It’s just awesome at the moment and we are so appreciative. We don’t want it to stop.
S] You have played all over the world, in Europe and in London, but what is your opinion of the scene within Northern England?
M] I think to a certain extent the old saying that it’s ‘grim up North’ is true, but I think for us the reason that we are so passionate about music is because we are from a shitty area and it always rains. You know, all we have to do is play music really. I think that shows through when a big band rolls into Manchester or one of the smaller suburbs for many it’s like, ‘Yeah, that band has come all the way from wherever to play to us’ and that’s why fans in the North seem to have extra enthusiasm. The thing about Manchester is that it’s one of the most off the wall places to play because everyone always goes for it and they really love it. On the whole though, I do have a bit more faith within the UK rock scene because the kids do seem to be a bit more ‘mad for it’ than they used to be, which is awesome especially at festivals like this.
S] What are you most looking forward to achieving with the rest of your year?
M] We are just going to be touring all the time. I know that this tour of Europe has been the biggest thing internationally we have done so far and certainly the widest spread. You know, going out there and playing to all these kids who have a real connection to what we are doing is amazing. It just seems like there’s so much energy out there and people are really into talking afterwards. I think our biggest aim after this next tour is going to be to get back out to Europe. Right after we have finished this Euro tour we are going to be out with Buckcherry doing a UK run with them. We are just going to be no holds barred now, if we could stay out for every day this year we would do it.
S] You seem to have a very dedicated following – what’s been the most positive fan-based experience you have had?
M] In Europe the fans bring all kinds of weird things along with them. I have had a picture of me made out of pasta that’s been stuck to a piece of paper and that’s pretty weird but with regards to crazy things that fans do, I think most of it happens when they are at the shows and these people really go all out for us. I mean, when we are there, we get in the crowd and jump right over the crash barrier and we know that we’re going to get battered and bruised but then, that’s what we love about it.
S] How does Manchester and all its musical history influence the band if at all?
M] With regards to the music scene in Manchester, I think we are one of the only bands doing what we are. I think we are really proud of that because the music that we make is a complete departure from what the city have offered and I’m talking about the likes of Oasis and The Happy Mondays. We are really pleased to be coming out of Manchester with this style of music, and I am hoping we can bring a few bands out with us from the scene and start a new vibe in the area.
S] If you could share a festival tent with one other person dead or alive, who would it be and why?
M] I have absolutely no hesitation in saying that it would be Johnny Cash, I mean he’s a legend. Both myself and Amadeus (bass) are massive fans and so if I could sit there and have a beer with that guy I would be so happy. As soon as I’ve got my time machine working, I will give you a call and we’ll go back in time.
For more information visit the band’s Myspace and website.
Check out the video for ‘Brothers In Blood’ below:
*Thanks to Ross and Jen for setting this up.
