You’re playing a triple-header of Melbourne shows. Over here, we don’t know much about the indie scene in Wellington, NZ. Has it been an encouraging environment for you guys to cut your teeth?
There’s a lot of bands, some more interesting than others. Some of our favourite Wellington acts to play with more recently have been Mr Sterile Assembly, Das Uber Nana and Karl Jensen. New Zealand has a good DIY scene.
Gold Medal Famous aren’t a run of the mill band indie band. You work with noisy electronics and your lyrics can be pretty severe. Did you feel a need to distance yourselves from the pack?
It just seems to be the style that comes out. Our songs usually come from the perspective of a brutally honest late-30s middle class office worker who has a liking for making noise, especially with his Theremin. The lyrics are factual and no nonsense, which often makes them hilarious, the modern world being what it is.
As far as political statements go, the song John Key is Still A Dick is about as blunt as they come. Do you think there’s been an absence of protest music in the current century?
Totally. There’s so much to protest about and not many musicians making protest music. John Key is still a dick is a sequel to John Key is a dick, which we did 14 different versions of including handbag house and chillwave for the 2011 general election. Musicians have an opportunity to speak truth to power and should do it.
GOLD MEDAL FAMOUS play at The Public Bar on Thursday July 16, Bar Open on Friday July 17 and The Grace Darling on Saturday July 18.
