“Johnny is the savage frank to my beans in which together we create the juju strange noise we call music,” Suede says. “He is known for his wild and crazy guitar styles that compliment my energetic and raw stage delivery. We both come from a very similar world of music, art and wonder. He is extremely important to the band and to the songwriting process.”
Suede and the Motel 6 have spent the last five years based in New York and touring through the US and Europe. However, they recently returned back to their home of Auckland. “Johnny and I have been based in New Zealand for a year now and much has changed back here for better and for worse,” Suede says. “It is certainly not the country or city I left behind when leaving for the USA, but it is an amazing little country full of incredible people and talent. Though, it’s size and population does challenge my patience, and it is very far from the northern hemisphere, which I do miss everyday.
“The plan is that we are based here for perhaps another year or so and will be touring to Spain in late October this year and in the USA in 2016. The need to tour and escape is the same wherever I am based really. I put it down to my Greek gypsy heritage.”
Returning to New Zealand meant Suede and Moondog had to part with long time cohorts, bassist Max Speed $1000 and drummer Capt’n Gerry. But their contributions certainly haven’t been forgotten. “Max Speed $1000 was the first person we met in New York and was with us for six years and is still in the wings,” Suede says. “Max truly understood our music and helped to take it to many states in the USA. Capt’n Gerry is one motherfucker of a drummer. Seriously, the man is a metronome of destruction. His performances are outstanding and he is a lot faster than any other drummer we have worked with. He really did make us a force to be reckoned with.”
Thankfully, they’ve had no trouble replenishing the lineup. “[Drummer] Stewy Waterpig has only been with us for a year, but brings a fresh, soulful beat and groove to the band,” Suede says. “His attributes have made coming back to New Zealand truly a new and exciting journey. Jay L is our original bass player. We parted ways when Johnny and I left to the USA. That was a very hard day, but he has slipped back in so easily again. It is just like taking your original condition XP Ford Falcon out for a cruise.”
Speaking of vintage cars, Suede and the Motel 6 are heading back to Melbourne next month for the Kustom Kulture celebration GreazeFest. The devotees that gather at festivals such as GreazeFest indicate that the influence of rockabilly music and Kustom Kulture extends all around the world.
“There is definitely a kindred crossover,” Suede says, “but each country or scene is devoted in a different way. The USA I feel is more traditional with its roots in the music, fashion and lifestyle. New Zealand and Australia have come from a more casual culture in general. Although, the scene in Australia has always been pretty fervent. Australia does have some very old roots in the music and culture of rockabilly that managed to survive with integrity.
“There has always been a solid and supportive garage/rockabilly/rock’n’roll scene in Melbourne,” she adds. “It has crossed our minds quite seriously to relocate to Melbourne. It’s a great sized city full of wonderful lunatics.”
BY AUGUSTUS WELBY
