“It’s a testament, and a great thanks needs to go out to our fans who want to come out and see us,” says Kram on the band’s longevity. “That’s been a big lifeblood of our band; our fans and of all the different ages and different people regardless of gender or background or whatever – it’s such a warm feeling at our show and it’s always been that way. That’s what it’s really about for us.”
The Melbourne leg of the tour carries with it great significance. “When you start out playing in a band, you’re not sure if you’re any good and then you get signed and then you get involved in the scene then it’s another element. Especially in Melbourne – that’s our town. Even though I don’t live there anymore, that’s still me. It’s the number-one music town in the world and that’s where we cut our teeth.”
It’s clear time has changed the way the band think of their abilities and their validity as a contemporary Australian musical act. “When you become an older band, and if you’ve maintained a success for a long period of time, you’re set free of that self-doubt. You don’t become arrogant and full of yourself, on the contrary you become very open and welcoming but you feel at last a sense of comfort in your own identity. That your band is a valid creative thing unto itself and you’ve made the right decision and you’re in a good space and you’re lucky to be able to do it but it also feels good.”
With all their success, there are a few key factors that Kram believes make a good artist great. “It’s the same for painters or actors [and musicians], they feel like they’re constantly under the microscope – as much from themselves as from their peers and the scene that they’re involved in. But also wanting to do well because the scene itself inspires them to form a band in the first place.
“That’s what Melbourne did for us, and still continues to do. If you want to be big anywhere: Melbourne’s the place to be first, and everywhere else is a bonus. I still feel very sentimental when we play here, there’s a real connection because we played so many of our first shows here. Jan and Whitt still live here and it feels nice to be able to do it, and you’re relaxed about it – you still want to kick arse – but you’re a bit more relaxed about it and not being worried.”
The admiration and gratitude he feels for the role Melbourne played in shaping the band is palpable. “That feeling is part of what inspires you to be a good band in the first place. When you’re younger, you’re really burning to show everybody and yourself what you can do. And it’s nice to be able to sit back and see what you’ve done in a way, but it does take you by surprise, because before you know it you’ve been in a band for 25 years and you’re going ‘Oh fuck, that went quick.’ ”
With the Bait’s longevity in mind, Kram has some advice for new bands and artists starting out. “Do whatever you love to do, regardless of the style. If you love playing – play. If you love recording – record heaps. Try and play gigs and see what happens. If a band never plays in front of people they’d still enjoy themselves but there’s something about the audience that changes your orientation and changes your perception of yourself.”
“All I can say is treat it like a sport – get as good as you can and don’t be a prick.” See guys, no rocket science here – hard work and a bit of self-confidence never sounded so bloody satisfying.
Now having unravelled some of the secrets to a successful career, what’s next for Spiderbait? “We’ve got a single in the can that we’d really like to release after this tour is all done, it’s something we’ve had for maybe 12 months. We’re really not sure of the schedule or how it’s going to happen because we haven’t released a new song for ages. That’s our plan and it’s the one thing I noticed from talking to a lot of people: everyone’s happy and stoked to see us. Between the three of us it would be nice to come out with some new music.”
As we eagerly await their upcoming Melbourne shows it’s hard to distinguish who is more grateful, the fans or the guys themselves. “Thanks to everyone for wanting to come and see us. Particularly at the Corner which is a very sentimental place for us, me and Whitt used to go there before our band even started and go see Cosmic Psychos and The Harlems there all the time. We used to mosh – which was called slam-dancing then. This whole tour is feeling really awesome.”
Words by Asha Collins
Image by Ian Laidlaw
