Sasquatch, SoCal’s best fuzz rockin’ trio, are nearly here – for the very first time.
It’s only taken five studio albums since their inception in 2004 and extensive touring of everywhere but Australia for their awesomeness to be fully recognised. If drummer Rick “Riggs” Ferrante’s playful banter is anything to go by, they are very excited. “This is the big moment. We’re one horrific plane flight away from making it happen,” he says.
“I was thinking about eating a lot of Xanax, drinking a bunch of beer and wearing an adult diaper just for the flight.”
Are we psyched? Absolutely. But at this stage of their career, Sasquatch must be high as kites knowing they can still have so many firsts. “It keeps the dream alive in a way,” says Riggs. “Once in a while we sit back and think about everything we’ve done and then something like this pops up and it’s like, ‘shit, man.’ This keep the momentum going, you know?
“Hello.” The voice of guitarist and vocalist Keith Gibbs comes from somewhere next to Riggs as they walk down the street. “We definitely were not out having margaritas during the daylight hours,” says Riggs when asked about their movements. Gibbs laughs heartily; porkies are being told.
Probably a good thing that Sasquatch are (not) having daytime drinks. It’ll be good practice for when they’re here being egged on to do a shoey on stage. “I’ve heard of this,” laughs Riggs nervously. “I’m going to Google this as soon as we get done talking.”
Indeed, many firsts are to be had for Sasquatch, shoeys included. Of course, attention needs to be brought back to the music and as the pair head to band practice, it’s a good time to ask how they’ll choose from their extensive discography for this month’s tour. “Ultimately it goes like this,” Riggs begins.
“Keith and I walk around all day and then come up with great ideas of how it’s going to go, what we’re going to do, and what we’re going to play” – Gibbs guffaws in the background – “Then we’re completely shut down because Cas [bassist Jason Casanova] actually makes all the decisions.”
Going by Gibbs’ reaction, it doesn’t sound like he’s in the loop on that one. “In all honesty, it is a big thing we’re trying to deal with right now, coming up with the set list,” Riggs continues. “Ultimately, we’re going to try and have enough songs that we can make the set list a little bit different each night.”
Many of the venues Sasquatch will perform at here are intimate, small, underground, dive bar kind of locales, the kind of place that suits the band’s baller beats. “We love playing dive bars.” cries Gibbs, now on speaker phone. “It seems like you guys know about rock‘n’roll.”
“We’ve played a few shows with [Melbourne’s] Child so we’ve been running into a lot of Australian bands that are really fucking kicking ass.” says Riggs.
“I like Child a lot, actually,” adds Gibbs. “The singer [Mathias Northway] is rippin’. Not only are they great dudes but a great band.
“I also really like The Chats. That ‘Smoko’ song? It’s so fucking catchy, I can’t get it out of my head sometimes, it’s infectious.”
Infectious music is awesome, none more so than 2017’s Maneuvers, Sasquatch’s fifth album – what is it about that release that’s been the benchmark for the band? “Well you see, that’s when I joined the band,” jokes Riggs. “Cas is a great songwriter already,” Gibbs adds a serious note. “He’s also willing to tour as much as we want to.
“We’re getting along wonderfully right now, and the album is a succession of that. We get along like brothers, we’re tight.”
“I’m punching Keith in the face right now.”
Sasquatch come to The Bendigo Hotel on Thursday March 28. Grab your tickets via Eventbrite.
