Facing The Gallows is a high-energy, no-nonsense, smack-you-in-the-face kind of metalcore band hailing from Hate City (Johannesburg, ZA). The current line-up consists of Reegan du Buisson (Vocals), James Irving (Guitar), Chase Beynon (Guitar), Ray James (Bass), and Victor Monginho (Drums).
During their 15 years of existence, they have played every major festival you can think of in SA including; Oppikoppi, RAMfest, Woodstock, Krank’d up, Thornfest, and of course, represented South Africa at the Wacken Open Air Fest in Germany in 2019.
Facing the Gallows originate from Johannesburg South Africa. Consisting of Reegan Du Buisson on vocals, Chase Beynon and James Irving on Guitars, Ray Abraham on Bass and Victor Monginho on Drums. Currently in their 15th year, they have earned the mantle as one of South Africas hardest working and best live acts. They've consistently pushed the boundaries of local music and have opened more doors for a growing heavy scene that's making it's ever growing footprint in SA music. Thank you for taking this interview! How has the New Year been for you so far as an artist?
So far the year has been quite interesting. A lot has happened in our lives personally but with all that going on we have had such a drive to finish up on this new album. We took on a slightly new approach when it came to putting everything together (writing & recording process) but let's just say we are still busy finishing off the last few songs. We took a short break from all the writing and recording to get back on stage as well. It was necessary! We were craving live shows and let's just say making a "COMEBACK"was one of the greatest decisions we could have made!
Can you tell us how you've transformed from the beginning to now as an artist?
If you mean since we were kids to being musicians? To be honest I would say, the way we sometimes manage ourselves and and each other along with the responsibilities we have has become more of a conscious and "professional" thing but over all we are still kids that just love to play music, have people sing back the words (even those who don't know the words), high five us, jam out! There is a lot more to music than just playing it in this day and age depending on what you want to achieve from it and we are aware of that but nonetheless, still the same kids that started off thinking we were rock stars jamming the coolest pubs in town
How did you come up with your latest project?
The latest album accents the previous albums when it comes to lyrical content. Instrumentally we are pushing ourselves further and that has been some of the most fun. There have been a shit ton of times where one of the boys feels that we need to change something to give it a little flair and next thing we have changed the whole journey of the song but to something even new to us. We love it so far. I think we are finding our definite sounds or atleast getting close. We have played 2-3 of the songs live and so far the reactions have been immense. We cannot wait to release this. The songs will have more of a story once they are all together.
Where are you from originally?
This one is always a surprise! We are from Johannesburg, South Africa.
Where do you live now?
Same place until we get the chance to go back to Europe that is. We found something we really loved on that side and it keeps calling. Alternative music has a much bigger culture on that side of the world. It only makes sense for us to go showcase it there (again but for a proper, lengthy tour)
Do you think where you live impacts how your music is made?
I think that music is influenced by several things and your environment is definitely one of those. How our music is made seems like this is more a production question so I will say that we definitely have access to studios and producers if you have the money but the D.I.Y era is hear and we are trying to stick to that on this album as all we have accomplished over time (granted a few others) has been our D.I.Y mentality. I hope that answers the question. Will Putney though....The day we can afford that homie, it is happening!!
What was the inspiration to make music your career?
We would love for music to be our career. We all work full-time jobs, music is our passion. The dream is for music to be our day-to-day and we aspire to achieve that. Let's see where these next two albums take us...we are aiming high!
How do you want to shape your career?
We want people to love what we play, stand for and what we do, as much as we do! We want to form part of the bigger culture, bigger than what we have in SA. We love it here but for us to grow, we need to make bigger moves and we are working on that.
Do you work on a tight timeline always or do you go with the flow when it comes to your music?
When we started off with the year we had to tie it down because there are time restrictions if we want to achieve certain things. We always have a calendar sorted but with our full-time jobs sometimes things need to move around to accommodate each other. We are a family and we all have families where some have more responsibilities than others. We need to make sure they are all looked after so that we can keep working on what we love.
How did your latest title of your music come to be?
We don't even have the title yet. We wait to have all the tracks done and generally by the time something has jumped out as an idea. We are getting there. Again, this is a different album for us but the best kind of different.
Is it hard to let go of the music when it is done?
I don't think you ever really let go unless you hated it. We have played tracks that are 10+ years old even recently and that was out of love for those songs. There are always a few tracks that stand out the most to you. The songs are your "babies", they live on longer than you do.
Do you feel an emotional attachment to your music?
For sure! You can hear it in the songs and more at the live shows. We believe we are one of those bands where you just have to go and watch instead of spinning the CD in your car (if your car even still has a CD drive haha) or streaming off spotify. We love performing and that is what we do. Always trying to improve the performance too. We want everyone watching us to leave with an experience the way we experienced all of them during the show....that is the feeling we crave and what we want people to crave. You'll understand when you come to see us.
How would you describe your music in one word to someone who hasn't listened to it yet?
Chaos
Where do they go to listen NOW?
Our music is available on all major platforms, fuck tag us in your Tiktok if you want its all available!! Also we would love that haha only seen it a few times.
What has been the best fan reaction to your music?
We love our home crowds because between us, we never know what to expect. BUT....the greatest reactions were when we played at Wacken 2019. When you play for people who have absolutely no idea who you are and they start throwing down, headbanging, moshing, throwing horns....Yea! That was something special. That felt like recognition. That felt like we actually belonged. That inspired us again and surged a whole new love. When a stranger comes up to you ready to offer you money for merchandise after they just watched you play in a foreign country after not knowing who the fuck you are...we did what we came to do. That tour was one of the most special if not the most special experience of our lives. And we are itching to go back. We would go right now given the opportunity!
Is there anything exciting coming up for you?
We have some local tours in our country alongside some of the raddest bands and brothers we have. Going around to give everyone a party to remember. Bands like Vulvodynia and Peasant are some big dogs you guys may have heard (you for sure know. Vulv) and if not, go and do yourselves a favor! We will also be in discussion with our label (OutOfLineMusic) to plan for the following year. We will make mention as things go on.
Are you performing the song anywhere LIVE?
We are performing in SA alone and maybe some of the countries in the near surroundings this year, so yes we will be playing as many songs as we can fit into a set. People are coming for a show after all.
Website: www.facingthegallows.com / za.facingthegallows.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/facingthegallows
YouTube: www.youtube.com/facingthegallows
Instagram: www.instagram.com/facingthegallows