“My band with Cesira was called Central Hero, Andrew and Keelan were in a band called Phaic Tan,” explains Hales about his and bandmates’ high school bands. “That’s actually how they spelled their name and when they played they would put up a big black banner with ‘Phaic Tan’ emblazoned across,” he adds in hysterical laughter. “Actually, it’s not that funny considering they always seemed to beat Cesira in the battle of bands comps,” concedes the still giggling frontman.
Hales now clearly sets out how the reconnection between the formerly competing bands was made post high school. “We were playing around I guess, we were still jamming and stuff and before my back room was a studio it was just a crappy little room and we would always just meet up there and jam. It was so organic in that from there we just started playing shows and did our first recording together at the end of 2010,” says Hales in a matter-of-fact way.
Since forming in late 2010 The Jungle Giants, off the back of two EPs and the recently released LP Learn To Exist, have become Australia’s undisputed indie darlings with this fan driven demand and passion for their music leading to them visiting Melbourne next Friday November 29 for an encore show at The Prince Bandroom following their sold-out Hi-Fi show at the beginning of October.
To sum up the overall theme and mode of Learn To Exist, youthful, upbeat and energising are three words that immediately spring to mind. Hales now contends with idea of writing music that people that like while not letting it become generic and predictable – something anyone who has heard the album would not accuse the album of being.
“The thing is we haven’t totally cemented what The Jungle Giants ‘sound’ is. When it comes to recording we all just put in what we think a song needs. If there is a certain guitar line that we like it must work with the rhythm that Andy and Keelan have brought to the song. One thing I really get off on is really cool rhythmic stuff that forces your shoulders to move and give ya goosebumps,” explains the impassioned front man. However, even at his young age and relative inexperience Hales still has the insight to admit, “That’s not say that there isn’t a fine line between artistic expression and writing for the masses. Some people can get too focused on writing for other people to the point where it becomes a product.”
In the time since Learn To Exist has been released The Jungle Giants have toured the country once and almost done the entire east coast again. During this seven week period the band have learnt a lot about touring playing the songs off the album and even their old tracks have found a new form.
“We had this idea at first that we were going to play the album in its entirety and in the order of the songs on the album. But we realised that was not going to work so what we settled on is that we are focusing on kinda rhythmic breaks to glue each song together.”
Basically what the band has successfully achieved from the rave reviews this tour has received so far is set that never loses energy, almost like a killer DJ set, except with live instruments and vocals.
“From our early days when we would resort to inane banter in between songs we have realised that there needs to be something to keep the crowd going in between songs. Now where we are at is that we have changed a few songs with one of my favourites, Home, has taken on a new identity live where it has become kind of bluesy in this ‘60s or ‘70s style and if we’re vibing we extend that section for a bit,” enthuses Hales about an aspect of The Jungle Giants awesome live show.
BY DENVER MAXX
