It’s a solid attitude to have, particularly given Apes have hit their most successful period since their inception in 2011. Not only did they secure support duties with a group of The Darkness’ size, they’ve just released their scintillating new single, Dimension, the first track from an as-yet-untitled new album.
Such successes couldn’t have come at a better time. “If we struck the right chord as a band straight off the bat, we wouldn’t be ready to deal with [it],” Dowd says. By his account, the band has collectively reached a newfound maturity. “It’s taken us time to get the really massive party modes out of us. When we first started out, we’d be going on tour for two weeks and we’d look at it like a two-week bender.”
With that attitude, every second or third show Apes played in their early days was a disaster. “It’s pretty easy to get lost [in the partying]. It’s not sustainable. And you lose sight of why you’re doing all this kind of stuff.”
But despite their early recklessness, Apes made it through. They’ve released a stack of scorching tunes, and kept growing together in the process. Indeed, in many ways, the Melburnians are a closer unit now than they’ve ever been. Dowd talks about “riding the energy” of his bandmates while they are onstage, and just recently they’ve begun to write music as a group. Guitarist James Toohey will be singing some songs on the new album, and Dowd isn’t the only one writing lyrics this time either. While the collaborative expansion is welcome, Dowd’s upfront about the fact these changes took some getting used to.
“Everyone’s been putting in, which can be a bit hard during that process. A lot of people [clashed].” Ultimately, however, the band persevered until they reached a breakthrough. “Everyone’s got the best interests of the music [in mind]. It’s been a big thing for us to do that.”
Dowd is reticent to give an exact date for the album’s release, not wanting to create a deadline he worries he might miss. But diehard Apes fans need not worry. “[It’s] actually mostly recorded already,” Dowd says. “It’s a lot closer than we might give off.”
If Dimensions is anything to go by, the new album may well be the band’s strongest work to date. The brash psych and glam rock-indebted single retains the trembling, emotive subtext that any long-term Apes follower will know and love. But Dimensions aside, one can still be excited about the forthcoming record based simply on Dowd’s obvious love for what he does.
“When we’re onstage it never feels like a job,” he says. “When you have an eight-month break and you haven’t played live, you’re dying to get back out there. Sittin’ in a van for 12 hours, talking shit and playing celebrity heads…” There’s a pause, and then his voice goes low and wistful. “You just sit at home wishing you were doing that again.”
BY JOSEPH EARP
