What’s in a name? Well for Essex-based metal rock band Giants, quite a lot, as changing their name from the mouthful Blind Kids See Ghosts in July has finally see them get the recognition they deserve – with rock bible Kerrang! naming them as one of their local heroes.
Discussing the name-change, 19-year-old guitarist Jack Longman coyly admits the original was “made over a drunken joke,” and he physically recoils when he is coaxed into revealing the name that previously announced the band for two-and-half years, adding: “I hate even saying it.”
As for their new pseudonym, the Theydon Bois rocker, who makes up the as-yet-unsigned band with frontman Ed Parker, drummer Ben Creevy and bassist Peter Rickards, says: “A lot of bands on the metal scene are like, blood, death, gore and guts and we are not really those type of guys, we are all skaters and like going out and having a good time. We were on a train going through the names of NFL football teams and a bloke was reading the newspaper and there was a story about The San Francisco Giants.”
Ironically, bassist Pete is a little on the short side, but despite his initially objection, the name stuck and just like magic “everything started to fall into place”, with gig after gig booked and that call up from Kerrang!
“We were chuffed,” Jack says of the honour, before candidly admitting in true blasé rock’n’roll style: “I think my copy is still under all my clothes in my bedroom.”
Known for their loud, energetic live shows, the four-piece, who met on the Essex skating circuit five years ago, explain their sound is: “Fast melodic, dual vocal hardcore/punk metal soaked in beer.”
As for their reputed gigs, they add: “If you like to go to a show where straight-up crazy stuff happens, then we are the band for you. We are always up for a laugh, even when we are playing live, we love people getting involved, be it singing along or stage diving naked on a body board.”
But fear not metal virgins, Jack, who works in a photography studio, assures me: “Our songs are a lot faster and a lot easier to listen to now, even friends who don’t like metal like us.”
Indeed, Jack’s mother has even been known to come along to the odd gig, although: “She just stands at the back and afterwards says I don’t get all the screaming.”
Thankfully, Giants’ growing fanbase do get the screaming and after a look at them in uninhibited action on their Myspace page, I’m converted, and next month will see them tour with Preston metal titans Elias Last Day and release their new EP.
“We wouldn’t do it if it was like a job,” Jack summerises. “It’s all about having fun, having a laugh and waking up on Monday morning with metal neck.”
Giants perform at The Standard, Walthamstow on Thursday, December 10. Details: www.myspace.com/ukgiants
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