‘Grassroots venues like Real Time Live are worth their weight in gold for grassroots bands’

Yesterday's Gone are, in their own words, a southern fried blues-rock band.
Yesterday's Gone.Yesterday's Gone.
Yesterday's Gone.

Formed a couple of years ago in Chesterfield, they are making an impact on the local music scene with their superb original songs and incendiary live performances including a support slot to Rhino’s Revenge at the town’s Real Time Live last year.

In the social distancing spirit of lockdown, Yesterday’s Gone lead singer Rob Walker answered the following questions via email:

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How are you coping and how are you filling your time during the lockdown?

In honesty it's been a tough few months being locked away from the world and not being able to not only socialise but not being able to do what I love which is perform live music which has been a massive strain mentally. I am willing to bet that there are a lot of people in the same boat! However on the plus side it has given me time to focus on the more backstage kind of stuff. We have recently signed with Forge Amp in order to help push #YG to the next level, which in turn frees me up from some of the more admin based tasks like booking gigs and promotion work, allowing me to concentrate on the fun stuff like writing new tracks!

You have released a fantastic EP. Is there an album on the horizon?

We have been discussing this as a band over the last few weeks and I think the general rule of thumb is that we are going to release a few singles then another couple of EPs paired with some music videos to go with them and then look at the possibility of the album release some time in 2021, I mean it’s not like we haven’t got enough material with all the time we have had free over the last few months. The guys, Danny and Josh have been utter riff machines to the point I am struggling to keep up with them!

What are your future plans as a band?

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We have so much exciting stuff planned as far as lots of brand new material that we are working on, and then there are some talks of maybe a little tour next year but as you can appreciate until the dust settles around this whole Covid-19 situation it’s a little difficult to try and plan anything at the minute. Be rest assured there are lots of cogs ticking behind the scenes to make sure we deliver the goods for you all over the coming months/year!

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You guys write great songs and have serious potential. You also have a deservedly growing reputation as a great live band. Who have you taken inspiration from?

As far as live performances are concerned I have a lot of places to draw from, Status Quo, AC/DC, Rush, Whitesnake to a certain extent even Guns N Roses as they all deliver live and just own the stage and the crowd! But I truly like to bring my own style and energy to our shows and really want the crowd to leave thinking wow, they were amazing!

How important are venues such as Real Time Live in Chesterfield?

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Without venues like Real Time Live and the support of Nikki Stephenson and Stevo (owners) to not only us but other young bands out there, we wouldn’t be where we are today! These types of venues provide a platform for new bands to break through and it has helped gain the exposure that young bands seldom get! Grassroots venues for grass roots bands are worth their weight in gold!

What are your views on the music industry as it stands?

It’s a tough time for us all at the minute and this whole Covid-19 pandemic has really thrown a spanner in the works for so many of us artists and venues alike.

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in the 20-plus years I have been performing two things have always kept me going and that’s the sheer love of what I do and a blind faith that we will make it no matter what (plus that I am too stubborn to give in).

Countless demos that we have sent to countless labels, record companies, festival promoters all with the mindset of “If I keep knocking on the door someone has got to answer it eventually”. It’s tough out there but never give up!

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How important is social media for bands now such as yourself?

I have seen lots of changes to the music industry over the years some good some bad, but social media and networking is a vital tool in the performing artists’ tool bag. I think it’s made things easier as far as making a brand and being able to push that brand to more people than you ever could have done 20 years ago! Our social media platforms are our direct link to our fans and they are able to give us feedback directly so from a “Growing as a Band” standpoint they are invaluable. It also gives the fans a chance to see what we get up to behind the scenes and that we have a great deal of fun doing what we do.

At what age did you start to play guitar?

My first time picking up an instrument was when I was about seven and I wanted to learn how to play the drums (gave up after about a year as I realised I was shockingly bad at it!) then moved on to piano, then guitar (again, not great at those either) Before eventually figuring out my calling was in the vocal department!

When did you write your first song?

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The first track I ever wrote was in a band called “Trust My Dishonour” back in the mid to late 90s called “Broken Alibis” it was a very dark track with some very punchy riffs!

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What advice were you given at the start of your career that you have stuck to?

There was one piece of advice I was given many years ago and that was no matter what you do or how far you go, always remain humble and genuine! Be nice to people on your way up the ladder because you never know who you will meet on the way back down! That is something I strongly believe in!

What advice would you give any musicians and bands starting out now?

Have you ever thought about painting as a hobby? Only kidding, it’s just keep on trying that is all you can do! If you believe enough in what you are creating and performing and are passionate about getting it out there to people then no matter what keep going! You may be one email away from something amazing but if you never send that email in the first place you will never know!!

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I have seen it so many times in the past where bands fail because the person/persons driving the band just loses heart or takes rejection personally and in the end it spreads through the band and inevitably the band fails! Keep on keeping on”

Who are your music heroes?

Wow this is a tough question as there are just so many! From SRV (Stevie Ray Vaughan), BB King, Howling Wolf, right through to Slipknot, Metallica, Korn, Type “O” Negative and I think just about everything in between.

Have you met or worked with any of them?

We had the pleasure of playing with the Dead Daisies, Saxon and The Tigers of Pan Tang at HRH North Wales a few years back along with. of course. Mr John Rhino Edwards (Status Quo bass player) side project band Rhino’s Revenge over at Real Time Live last year. It was a great pleasure to meet him. Fingers crossed there will be a few more ticked off the hit list before long!

Who would you like to collaborate with?

There are so many talented bands out there at the minute it’s so difficult to narrow it down to just one, but we love the guys over in These Wicked Rivers and would love to do something with them as well as the likes of Empyre, Steal the city who we have shared the stage with in the past would be fun! I think if it could be anyone from past or present though it would have to be SRV!

Which song do you wish you wrote?

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God that’s a hard one! I have always had a soft spot for “Little Wing” that would have been cool but from a royalties point of view it would have to be Slade Merry Xmas Everybody!

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You have been asked to put together a band for a one off gig with you in it. Who would be in the band (they could be living or dead)?

Cheesy, I know, but it would have to be the line up I am in now! The lads are great to work with and there are no egos at all! In the 20-plus years playing I have never worked with a better line up. As soon as we all got together it all just clicked, as the old saying goes “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it”

How do you relax and unwind?

What’s that when it’s at home? With the lifestyle that I live there are very few spare hours in the day what with holding down a full time job, three dogs, five horses, the band and writing new tracks trying to find time to have a cuppa is sometimes a struggle. When time does allow though a good walk with the dogs on the Trans Pennine trail is always a great way to blow out the cobwebs and clear my head.

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*Yesterday’s Gone can be found on Spotify. The band are also on Facebook and Instagram. Their stunning debut EP Metamorphosis is out now, direct from the band.

For more details, visit www.yesterdaysgone.co.uk

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