Seeing that you grew up in Byron Bay and now reside in Melbourne – AFL or rugby?
Ha, well sorry to disappoint, but neither has ever grabbed me. Ever since music came into my life, sport has taken a back seat.
So your name is Simon Wright, fronting the Simon Wright Band. Couldn’t think of a band name?
Actually, the truth is my parents named me after my band. No, I have worked with so many musicians over the years so I just put it all under the umbrella of The Simon Wright Band.
When you and your brother started out as ‘The Wright Brothers’ did you ever feel the urge to write songs about aviation?
No never, though funnily enough, the first song we ever recorded was called Fly Away.
After playing so many awesome venues and festivals around Australia, where was the weirdest show and why?
About seven years ago at a pub in rural NSW, five drunk bar flies got got up to dance. Shirts came off and the men started showing each other a little bromance. One guy got spooked by the man love so he knocked one of the other guys out. The ambulance and cops left with all of the drunk blokes in the back of the wagon.
You’re releasing an album next year working with drummer/producer Ivan “Choi” Katchoyan. What can we expect?
We plan to make this album a proper studio album. This time, with Choi’s production help we’ll be using whatever the track needs, programed drums, synths, effects, samples as well as the organic stuff.
Simon Wright questions Gav (Pretty ‘N’ Fatboy)…
So I hear brothers lead the band. I also grew up playing music with my brother. Do you think being brothers helps with songwriting?
Definitely. We have the same ideas, same direction and I’m older so I get to be bossy.
What is it that made you want Defenders Of The Discotheque on vinyl?
The label we started working with in Europe only release vinyl. We were stoked and if nothing else ever happens, I can put a record up on the wall. That’s good enough for me.
Your style is very ’80s inspired. Should we be expecting any onesies, perms or leg warmers at the show?
I hope so! We had a few ladies dress up at one of our other shows and it was amazing. Anyone that rocks a perm or a onesie at the show definitely deserves free entry and a few drink cards.
Tell us one of those defining moments that helped developed your musical concept.
My brother and I always had lots of love for the ’80s but only until our rock bands disbanded around the same time did we have the chance to write together. We were really keen to bring back the sax. And as for my brother and the keytar solos, Jan Hammer (of the Miami Vice soundtrack) is a huge influence.
I understand the band is a six-piece. I think I can guess how the brothers met, but how do the rest of the gang fit in the picture?
Because we’d been playing in rock bands for so long before this we have ended up with quite a few mates that are killer musos. We asked them and bang, it was done.
