Hey Jamie. You guys formed way back in 2004. How has Melbourne’s punk rock scene developed around you in the past 12 years?
I remember when we first started – in Newcastle – we would play shows with hardcore bands, punk rock bands et cetera as there wasn’t really many acoustic/folk punk bands around at the time. So we were lucky to play some really cool mixed bill shows in the early years of the band. Now it’s the most vibrant that it’s ever been in my opinion, from the success of The Smith Street Band and The Bennies, to the exciting new bands. We’re still so glad to be a part of a community that supports each other after all these years.
You’ve just released your second LP, Succour. How does this record compare to your earlier work?
It’s a huge step up in comparison to the self-titled record, that’s for sure. Our earlier songs were very straightforward, three chord folk punk songs, but while this record has those moments, many of the songs are more complex than our earlier stuff. Ever since Lauren joined the band many years ago, I felt that we couldn’t continue just playing these folk punk songs anymore. We needed to change it up a bit more and I think the Street Vipers 7″ caught us in the midst of that progression. So I think Succour is a more mature record in many ways.
You’ll be hitting up The Reverence Hotel on Saturday May 28 as part of your album launch tour. If the protagonist of a grungy film walked into your show on a whim, what’d happen to him?
He would most likely end up sitting at the bar after the show with us, drinking beers and Marko would tell him all about the amazing prank phone calls that he used to make to ultra conservative shock jocks when he was younger. The stories are hilarious. Then, I would have to leave because I’m old and get very tired on the weekends.
You’ll be supported by Run Squirrel, Naked Waste and Lincoln le Ferve & The Insiders. What can we expect from these guys?
All of them are incredible and some of the most interesting bands you’ll ever see or hear. Run Squirrel are our old buds from Newcastle and they are releasing a new EP on this tour. They are all amazing musicians and Thomas’ voice is one of my favourites ever. Lincoln le Fevre & The Insiders haven’t been playing much so it’ll be a real treat to see them at it again. Naked Waste is a one man solo project that sounds somewhat like a haunting Bob Dylan – one of the most interesting acts that I’ve seen in a while. Our mate Aaron Gocs is going to be telling some jokes in between the bands on the night too, which is an added bonus. It’ll be a good time.
