Simon RushworthThe Temperance Movement have called time on touring…until the follow-up to A Deeper Cut is done and dusted.
The band wrapped up a two-week run of shows in North America before delivering triumphant festival sets at Ramblin’ Man Fair and Steelhouse Festival.
But frontman Phil Campbell and guitarist Paul Sayer revealed to Rushonrock that their priority is readying a new release for 2020.
“We’re not going out on the road again in the near future,” said Sayer. “I’m not saying there won’t be any more shows this year – if the right offer came along at the right time then we might consider it.
“But we’ve already got a few ideas for a new record and we’re not the sort of band that can write songs on the road.
“We need to take some time out to get things together and focus on what comes next.”
With Campbell based in Glasgow and Sayer living in St Albans, The Temperance Movement’s various members have become used to bouncing ideas between one another from opposite ends of the country.
And that approach looks set to continue with both men more than comfortable maintaining a long-distance writing relationship that’s proved incredibly fruitful to date.
“It’s always been the way that we’ve worked and it’s always worked well,” added Campbell. “There’s no need for us to be in the same room when we’re writing songs – we pass ideas up and down until we’re ready to record.
“The seeds have been sewn for a new record so let’s see what happens.”
The band’s US and Canada run saw The Temperance Movement hook up with Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown and Thomas Wynn And The Believers.
And Campbell admitted he can’t get enough of life on the road across the Pond as his band continues to make significant inroads into the North American market.
“We got booked on the same festival as Tyler and so we thought why not build a bit of a tour around that,” explained the charismatic vocalist.
“We went back to a few of the places that we’ve been before – just trying to reinforce our name and our reputation in some of the cities where we made a good impression last time out.
“I think that’s the way to do it. There’s no point trying to break all of America all of the time. It’s impossible.
“I loved that tour. Playing over in America is like an escape for me. It’s a real melting pot over there and I love it. After two weeks I didn’t want to come home!”
By contrast both Campbell and Sayer admit that longer spells away from the UK have taken their toll – former drummer Damon Wilson quit the band in 2016 following one arduous overseas run and lessons have been learned.
“Three or four months on the road over there can be tough,” added Sayer. “You do miss family and friends and it’s a tough situation. The US is hard to crack but we’re giving it our best shot – at the same time we have to be sensible with what we can afford to do over there both financially and in terms of our wellbeing.”
Earlier this year the band opened up for legendary US rockers Blue Öyster Cult on a double bill that raised eyebrows…only to confound the critics.
“We received an email from our manager asking us if we fancied the gig,” added Sayer. “I guess it was a bit of an odd one at first glance but we weren’t playing any shows at that time and we jumped at the chance.
“It opened us up to another new audience and I think it proved to be a great decision. We had a fantastic time.”
Joker Campbell took the opportunity to mention Saturday Night Live’s infamous More Cowbell sketch – starring Christopher Walken – to the BÖC boys and added: “We had a good laugh about it. They were great company.”
Five months on from the BÖC tour and The Temperance Movement’s return to Ramblin’ Man Fair’s main stage was widely hailed as one of the sets of the weekend. Campbell was in typically frenzied mood and the Scot admitted that Mote Park has become a home from home for one of the saviours of British classic rock.
“We play honest rock and roll songs based around guitar and vocals and the fans appreciate that,” he added. “There’s a great vibe at Ramblin’ Man and we feed off it.”
“I agree with Phil,” said Sayer. “I love the vibe. When we play Download, for example, I always feel as if we’re one of the lighter bands on the bill – I probably wouldn’t go and watch anyone heavier than us!
“At Ramblin’ Man we fit right in.”