After more than a year out of the spotlight, Greet The Chief returns with a bold and unfiltered statement in the form of his latest album 'Greet The Chief'. Led by singer-songwriter Gavin Davies, the project sees him pushing deeper into a sound that blends indie-rock urgency with punk attitude and eccentric flair, marking a confident new phase in his artistic evolution.
Opening with the punchy ‘Misery Loves Company’, the album wastes no time in establishing its high-energy intent, weaving together stadium-sized hooks, gritty guitar work, and fearless vocal delivery. Across twelve tracks, Davies pulls from a wide palette of influences, crafting a record that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly unpredictable.
So with the new LP out now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Guitar, my Dad played his around the house and there was always The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Pink Floyd records playing inspiring me to pick it up and play.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
My first love was The Beatles, it’s astonishing that as a child the songs appealed to me on one level and that love has grown and as my understanding of them has changed as I get older.
Then Michael Jackson, I thought BAD was the coolest thing ever when I was 9 years old.
When I began to form my own music taste my big love was irreverent rock/metal bands, I became a huge Guns n Roses and Motorhead fan.
Then when Britpop hit I fell in love with Oasis, everything clicked the songs, style and attitude.
What was the first album you remember owning?
I remember having Michael Jackson Thriller on cassette, he didn’t sell many albums, so he was probably glad of the sale.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Wow, what a question that is!
My favourite lyric of all time is from The Specials “bands won’t play no more, too much fighting on the dance floor”.
Maybe ‘How Soon Is Now’ by The Smiths still sounds so unique and the lyrics are exceptional as you would expect.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I write in lots of ways so the opposite of a ritual. Sometimes I deliberately write a bass line to build a round, sometimes I write lyrics and formulate the song in my head without any instruments and then often I play guitar to relax and something will come along that I think is catchy and then I'm off to the races!
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I just checked my music history from this week: Donovan (not Jason), John Lennon, Oasis, Reverend and the Makers, Violet Grohl, The Levellers, Yard Act, Stone Roses, Paul Weller, Heavy Salad, The Marras, Geese.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
I'm going to take the liberty of splitting your question into Dead and Alive:
Dead – Nirvana
Alive – Jack White
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Creativity is the reward itself, it's nice if other people like it but being a musician for me is about expression and a lifelong urge to get ideas out my head.
And what is the most frustrating part?
A lot of people are ready to criticise and try to pull you down. I also hate the modern fixation on numbers of plays etc.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Work hard and keep evolving.
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Greet The Chief's self-titled new album is out now. Listen to it in the player below.