Anthology

An Interview with Danny Bemrose of Scars on 45

by: Casey Pukl

It seems like just yesterday, Scars on 45 was playing the Anthology stage at Star 94.1’s Jingle Ball 2011. Fast forward only three short months, and these guys have headlined their first tour, opened for alternative rock powerhouse group, The Fray, and booked their first late night television appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno! Following yesterday’s announcement about their debut album release date, I had a chance to catch up with Danny Bemrose, the group’s lead singer and guitarist, about just what they’ve been up to since we saw them last!

CP: Danny! I’m so excited to catch up! I feel like it hasn’t been that long since we’ve seen you guys, but so much has happened in that time!

DB: Quite a lot of stuff has happened recently, which is really good! It’s been quite good, actually! We’re not complaining!

CP: I heard you guys made a huge announcement today!

DB: Sure did! Our album release date is finally announced and set for the 10^th of April, which is all good!

CP: So people can pre-order the record now?

DB: Sure can! They can order it right now.

CP: Congratulations!

DB: Thanks very much! It’s been a while in the waiting, but it’s finally here. We’re really excited!

CP: I’m sure! So let’s talk about what you guys have been up to since we saw you last in December for Jingle Ball!

DB: We’ve logged quite a lot of miles in the past six or eight weeks, so December feels like a lifetime ago! We’re looking forward to coming back to San Diego to play the great venue that is Anthology!

CP: We’re looking forward to having you guys back! Tell me about your most recent touring experience with The Fray! What has that been like?

DB: We went out on our first headline tour when we came back from Christmas, which was pretty amazing to be honest. Most of the venues were sold out, and we just had such an incredible experience on that tour. But there was no rest for the wicked, and as soon as we finished that, we joined The Fray on tour for three weeks. That was equally as amazing. So we haven’t really had time to sit and think about it, but I’m sure once we get back to England for three weeks next week, we’ll have some time to sit down and finally think about what we’ve done for the last year and a half. 

CP: On top of it all, you guys are performing on The Jay Leno show tonight (FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012- 11:35/10:35 CST) also, right? 

DB: Yes! It’s our first national TV appearance, so there will definitely be a few nerves, but I’m sure we can handle it.

CP: Has the production of your live show grown a lot since you’ve started playing larger venues?

DB: Not really. We’re a band that really enjoys being very easy to work with. We like being able to come in, plug in, and play. I’m sure by the time the second album comes around, we’ll be traveling with a giant set up (laughs), but right now we’re just traveling with our instruments and playing the best that we can. It’s been fantastic so far. We’re still just so excited to play. 

CP: I’m sure you’re looking forward to the album finally coming out too. What are you most looking forward to about the release?

DB: When we played our own gigs earlier this year, we were blown away by the amount of people that were singing the songs back to us. We’re just excited to get the album out there, do some gigs, and hopefully have people singing the entire set back to us rather than just one or two songs. 

CP: Have you guys been writing new material while you’ve been touring?

DB: We haven’t really had time to be honest. We kind of mess around on the guitars when we get to the hotel and stuff, but recently we’ve been pretty exhausted. The only time we get to sit down and relax is when we’re driving six or seven hours to the next gig. I’m sure if we busted out the guitars while we were driving, Aimee might kill us.

CP: Is she still the only one who can back up the van with the trailer attached?

DB: She’s still the chief driver, yes. She’ll always be the driver. She’s just a better driver than all of us. She’s a faster driver as well.

CP: What a champ.

DB: Oh yes, Aimee is great.

CP: Anything in particular you guys have been listening to on the road?

DB: Not really. We listen to the radio sometimes, and Adele is always on, so we don’t ever have to turn on the record since every single is on the radio now (laughs). But we turn the iPod on shuffle and see what comes up. We’re usually good unless something ridiculous comes on like Milli Vanilli— then I’ll fast forward. Other than that we usually leave it on.

CP: Fast forwarding Milli Vanilli? That’s almost a crime!

DB: (Laughs) Did I say that? No, we definitely don’t.

CP: (Laughs) What are you guys most looking forward about coming back to Anthology this weekend?

DB: Oh, just the venue! It’s such an incredible venue. It was definitely one of our favorite places to play last year, so we’re looking forward to coming back! And the catering— the catering was amazing as well!

Don’t miss your chance to catch these guys before they head back to England! We still have a few tickets available, but they’ll be gone soon! Don’t miss out!

Scars on 45 on Spotify

WHAT: Scars on 45
WHEN: Saturday, March 3, 2012, 9:30pm
TICKETS: $10-$23 Buy Tickets
MORE INFO: Artist Profile