Frank Carter discusses inclusivity in the rock scene with Kerrang!
Whether it’s different genders, races, sexualities or ages, Frank Carter wants all audiences to feel welcome at The Rattlesnakes’ gigs…
"It took me a long time to give the problems of the patriarchy in society any mind, because I used to be extremely ignorant to the situations that women have to go through. I didn’t realise how much I benefitted from being a white, middle-class male, and I didn’t take into consideration the problems faced by minorities – be it gender or race.
"When I started realising and talking to our fans [about how] there was this big divide and there were problems that I could fucking change, it became incredibly important to me to do that, because I refuse to live in a world where people don’t feel safe at my shows. That is the first place I can start, and then who knows where I can take it from there? For the minute, though, what I do want to happen is for everyone who does come to our shows to feel safe and secure – even though they’re among thousands of strangers."
“I want everyone to come to our shows and be a family: no fights, no bad blood, just pure enjoyment. It doesn’t matter what you look like, what race, sexuality, how old you are… it just doesn’t fucking matter. If you come to a Rattlesnakes gig then you are welcome. You are included, and it’s for you. You should feel safe there, whether you’re crowd-surfing, stage-diving, dancing or sitting at the back. I want you to feel safe at our gigs, and I go out of my way to make sure we do that.
“I’ve got a young daughter, and I want to lead a good life for her and be a good example of what it means to be strong. When I realised some of the problems she is facing – the inherent systematic patriarchal divide that is prevalent in her life without her even realising – I took that as an opportunity for me to take the next decade and try and make a change, because I can measure it over so many years. By the time she is 14, hopefully the situation – at least at our gigs – will be very different. And from our gigs that will lead and bleed into the rest of the scene, and then hopefully much wider aspects beyond that.”
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes' new album End Of Suffering is out now.
