Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes Planning Return To Aus After Bring Me The Horizon Tour

Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes might just love Australia more than any other international act, at least that’s how guitarist Dean Richardson feels following the band’s latest stint around the country last month in support of Bring Me The Horizon.

The UK muso shared some insights with us about their experiences in Australia over the years, while also offering up some images from their April tour.

DEAN RICHARDSON ON TOURING AUSTRALIA

When you grow up in the UK, at least where I’m from, travelling to Australia is sold to you as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

You might know one person in your family who’s been, and you still talk about it years after. So if you are a musician, which is also sold to you as not a ‘real job’, the chances of your music taking you to the other side of the world is never going to happen.

So when it does, and you get off that plane after 26 hours (if you’re lucky, 30+ if you’re not), you arrive with an almost impossible energy to make the most of your trip. After all, you’re never going to be here again are you? And if you are, it won’t be from making music.

My first tour was three weeks long, playing community centres, an old prison in Darwin, anywhere that would take us. We travelled in a nine-seater van, taking turns to drive, the really tall people got to sleep on the floor. After one show we didn’t stop driving until we got to the next show to load in. But with every moment of time off, we would run to the beach, ride quad bikes, run away from spiders in freshwater pools - whatever we could find. Every day was an adventure.

I loved every minute of that tour, and as music turned into a real job, so did touring. I’m fortunate that going to Australia is part of our year of touring now. If I go to a capital city in Europe, you’re more likely to find me in the gym than at the local beach or tourist site. But, every time that I have toured Australia since, I have still arrived with that same excitement as the first tour.

I’ve stayed behind for NYE to watch the fireworks from the botanical gardens in Sydney, eaten my weight in food at Smith & Deli, swam with baby sharks in Manly and spent more time than most in Newcastle.

I’ve done six tours now, and if I were to stop touring tomorrow, all six would place somewhere in my top 10 favourite tours. Luckily, it looks like I will be back with The Rattlesnakes in 2020 - to add to that list, and maybe hire another boat out. See you in the new year And

Bring Me The Horizon

Guitarist Max Helyer

Photographer Jordan Green