If you know me well, you know that there’s nothing that I love more than discovering up & coming bands that not too many people would stumble across in an everyday setting. I mean, after all…that’s why we’re here right? Well a little birdie told me to check out The Treatment for a prospective interview possibility and I instantly liked the vibe of what I saw.
The first video that I came across, “Hang Them High,” had a rag-tag, motley crew of long haired Rock ‘N’ Rollers, making good noise, surrounded by a swarm of close-knit fans. If that doesn’t make you want to jump into the screen after almost a year without live shows…you just might want to check your pulse. British rockers, The Treatment liken themselves to a band of pirates & are, “flying the flag for British Rock ‘N’ Roll”, so yeah, I’m already all in. Anyway, after checking in with their ever so wonderful management team, we were given the go-ahead to pick the brains of The Treatment guitarist, Tag Grey.
Roctavia: Hi! My name is Roctavia & I’m a US Correspondent with Rock News UK. Thank you for taking the time out to interview with me today.
Let’s get right down to it then shall we?
Tag Grey: Absolutely!
Roctavia: First & foremost, if you could introduce your band to the US or any other country as a whole, what would you say is the overall band essence you’d want those new potential fans to absorb? Who is The Treatment & what are you all about?
Tag Grey: We are a high octane rock’n’roll band straight out of Cambridge UK. We are about loud guitars, high energy, good times and bringing the fun back into rock music. We are Dhani Mansworth (on drums), myself Tag Grey (on guitar), Tao Grey (on the other guitar) Tom Rampton (on vocals) and Andy Milburn (on bass).
Roctavia: What made you all want to become musicians?
Tag Grey: We all got here in a similar way, but I know for a few of us was first seeing AC/DC, mainly Angus Young. That band changed my life, a huge part of playing in a band is just having the chance to change peoples lives, to travel the world and not have to work a 9 till 5.
Roctavia: Angus! Yes! Haha looks like we’re on a great path already.
Roctavia: Well what a perfect segue into my next question actually haha. Who or what bands have most greatly influenced The Treatment?
Tag Grey: AC/DC is pretty high on the list, The Cult, Sex Pistols, Kiss, Motley Crue. But our personal influences are all quite different. I’m a huge fan of John Squire from The Stone Roses and Seahorses.
Roctavia: No wonder why I was diggin’ everything during my research lol. Excellent catalogue!
Roctavia: So you have a new album called Waiting For Good Luck coming out this February, can you tell us what the writing process was like?
Tag Grey: I think this year has been pretty tough for all, so “Waiting For Good Luck” seemed like a rather relevant title, however we actually had some luck on our side. When lockdown first hit all we could do was play! There was nothing else we could do but write. We had a four month pre- production and Laurie Mansworth (Dhani’s dad) producing and co-writing with us! When it came to the recording, we settled on Rockfield Studios which has had some legendary names go through it! That’s where the magic on this record came from!
Roctavia: What sound experience can your audience expect from your new album?
Tag Grey: There’s no fancy words for good time rock’n’roll, so if you’re looking for doom and gloom don’t listen to us! That’s all I’m going to say.
Roctavia: Nice!
Roctavia: What are you looking forward to most once gigs are able to start back up again?
Tag Grey: Just getting into a bus and traveling around with the gang. It’s all too polite and peaceful being stuck at home right now. I will never complain about loading the gear or having to drive 30 hours for one gig! Just bring it all back asap please!
Roctavia: Ugg. I hear that. Polite-*scoffs* haha!
Roctavia: So what’s the thing that you miss most about gigging?
Tag Grey: That feeling you get when the band is just rocking, everything is just in the right place and we are all in the groove. There’s no better moment.
Roctavia: On that note…what do you miss the least?
Tag Grey: The ferry ride from Dover (UK) to Calais (France), I think I’ve spent a good few years of my life waiting for ferries every time we’re off to tour in Europe!
Roctavia: Haha I can relate with the occasions that I’ve driven to see my favorite bands in Canada & had to ferry over. Don’t envy you there haha!
Roctavia: What was your most memorable tour experience?
Tag Grey: Japan. The whole experience was amazing. We played Ozzfest and had a 5 day stay in Tokyo. To me, it was just a moment I could never have imagined as a kid. Walking out to an arena full of fans screaming Treatment lyrics back to us was just the best. Oh, and the crazy things you can find in vending machines out there is pretty mad!
Roctavia: Haha! So I hear!
Roctavia: If you could pick any venue to play in in the world, where would you play?
Tag Grey: Wembley Stadium, we played the arena a few years ago opening up for Status Quo, but the dream is to play the stadium!
Roctavia: when all is said & done…what is the one thing that you want most for the future of The Treatment?
Tag Grey: Right now, I think I speak for us all, but just to get out of lockdown and to play a gig is more than enough! We’re not a band that want for much. Just to stay on the road, roaming around like pirates and making a huge amount of noise wherever we go!
Roctavia: *Nods in agreement. Throws horns.
Roctavia: Well our time just flew by! Speaking of, thank you so much for taking the time out to interview with me today Tag. So I always love to end an interview on a fun and off-the-cuff note so what’s your biggest food pet peeve? Is there anything that grosses you out?
Tag Grey: Nothing really grosses me out, but I have a severe hatred for kidney beans, chickpeas (but not hummus) and boiled carrot! Anything else… serve it up!
For more on The Treatment & to check out their new single “Rat Race” & album “Waiting For Good Luck” click the link below.
 | Love & Rockets ~ Roctavia |
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