The MetalTalk Lowdown. Baz Mills fronts Massive Wagons, the Cumbrian rock band known for their no-nonsense, good-time anthems and a fanbase as loyal as any in the UK scene. Before joining the band, he worked in a quarry, a fact he’s not shy about missing.
Massive Wagons released their new single Story Of My Demise yesterday, with a new album due later this year. Baz Mills lives with his family and, by his own admission, is far more interested in gardening than anything resembling rock ‘n’ roll excess.
What’s the most Metal thing you’ve ever done off stage?
I am very boring these days. Very, very boring. Gardening is what I get up to, and I like my old car. I’ve done some Metal things over the years, but it was a long time ago. I would rather not talk about them. This is neither the time nor the place for that conversation.Â
What’s the worst gig you’ve ever played, and why?
None of them has been terrible, but if I had to pick one for me personally, it would be Glasgow SWG3 on the Earth To Grace tour. I was ill. I had no choice but to go on stage. There were 1,000 people there to see us. I couldn’t pull the gig.
I explained to the people in the crowd that I wasn’t well and I didn’t want to let them down, and I appreciated them coming, and if I wasn’t up to the job, I apologised. My voice was terrible. But we got through it, and everyone was amazing and made me feel amazing. I felt terrible. I felt so small and alone on the stage. It was horrible trying to get through a gig like that. The fans helped us get through it without a doubt, amazing.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever played, and why?
Probably the first time we played Download. You never think as a band you’re gonna play Download, not as a grassroots band anyway. You never think you’re gonna get to that level. Played a 20-minute show, Download, about 5 songs. The tent was absolutely rammed. It was bouncing, and it felt like it was over in about two minutes. The biggest buzz of my life.
Would you choose a platinum record or one perfect, legendary live show?
A live show, as corny as it sounds. You go down in history. It’s all about great memories and giving people a good time. Live music is such a unique experience. Hopefully, we recorded it, and hopefully I could sell it and cream it for the rest of my life. Some bands do that, don’t they?
What’s your greatest fear?
Aldi is stopping selling their fresh cream toffee cakes, ‘cos they’re frigging amazing.
What’s the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Being a tight arse, to be honest. I don’t mind spending money, but I like to save money. I’m a bit cautious, maybe. Maybe I could deal with opening my wallet a bit more.
What’s the trait you most deplore in other musicians?
You go to festivals and venues, and we get it all the time. They’re so surprised by how nice we are and how easy we are to work with. That should be normal, shouldn’t it? I’m most deploring of musicians and artists treating the venue staff and festival staff like they’re beneath them. They get it a lot. Temper tantrums and paddies and I want this and stamping their feet. It doesn’t wash, does it? A lot of big baby nonsense.
Describe yourself in three words.
Boring. Passionate. I’m very, very passionate about this band and the things I do. And dad, cos that’s my number one job. I’m a boring, passionate dad.
What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
The cream cakes from Aldi.
What does a great riff feel like to write?
I’ve never written one. But it is a great feeling hearing one from Adam or Stephen, knowing it’s gonna be a pleasure writing words over it. That is an amazing feeling. When you get something from them lads, and it virtually writes itself. Good songs write themselves. They’re a pleasure to write. They’re easy to write. It’s brilliant.
What’s the worst thing a fan has ever said to you?
I can’t think of anything off the top of my head. You get certain fans slagging off other fans, and I think just wind your neck in. We’re all here to enjoy the music and have a good time, aren’t we? Don’t take it so bloody seriously.
What’s the worst thing a critic has ever said to you?
I couldn’t really care less what critics said, to be honest. Well, only if it’s nice. Being in a band, you learn to have thick skin pretty fast. It might have been a gig in Wrexham. A guy came to review us, and he left after Those Damn Crows played. He filled in for the guy who was supposed to be there. Then the guy who was supposed to be there reviewed our live show, and he wasn’t even there.
His review was just slagging us off. Rick Le Pen is the guy who’s in the song Glorious. If you’re reading this, you were not even there. How can he slag our gig off if he wasn’t even there?
If you weren’t in music, what would you be doing?
I’d probably still be working in the quarry like I was before this band. I enjoyed it. Good lads, good craic. I was loading wagons on a loading shovel. It was good.
What’s one album outside your genre you secretly love?
I’ve never mentioned before, but I really do like Graceland by Paul Simon. I don’t think it’s anything to be embarrassed about because it’s an amazing album.
When did you last cry, and why?
Two weeks ago. I was singing a new song for this album to Terri [Chapman, Massive Wagons Manager] called Remember Me. I cried singing that. Hopefully we can get some of that emotion into the song in the studio, because that’s what it means. I found it very moving to write it.
What keeps you awake at night?
This heat.
Riffs, royalties or recognition, if you had to choose?
Ordinarily it probably would be recognition, to be honest. I would like to be recognised as a good songwriter. We’re a good band, and we write good songs. But over the years, it’s faded down. I have a daughter, and her future is my number one concern, so royalties. If I can make as much money out of this, and I can set her up for a good future, well, that’s, that’s my main concern. That’s all I’m interested in, really.
How do you want to be remembered?
Being part of a great, solid band that writes great songs and gives people a lifetime of memories. A good time band, a good guy, and somebody who people can look back on and go, you know, we had some great times with that band. They were a part of my life. That would do it for me.
What’s the most important lesson the road has taught you?
Never eat a curry on the tour bus. Number ones only in the toilet. I’m telling you now, don’t eat anything spicy on the road. You will regret it. You will be caught short.
What happens when the music stops?
Hopefully, I’ll be dead by then, and I’ll never know the answer to that question.
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Baz Mills: âMy greatest fear? Aldi discontinuing their cream toffee cakesâ first appeared on
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