After the success of 2016’s iteration, Fuzz Fest is back with a lineup set to top last year’s effort. Featuring bands such as King of the North, Peeping Tom and more, anyone who loves a riff or ten will be kicking themselves if they miss out.
It’s all going down at the home of Melbourne fuzz, Cherry Bar, over two days, and organiser Andy Simpson (also in Don Fernando, who are playing Fuzz Fest) says the festival is all about mateship. “I was keen to put on a show where I could basically get all my mates together and say thank you to all the bands that have supported me and my bands over the years – a bit of a get together.”
Front End Loader are headlining Fuzz Fest, and no doubt have inspired a lot of the bands billed alongside them. Having formed in 1991, and hailing from Sydney, Front End Loader have seen it all, and are a perfect choice as headliners. Vocalist and guitarist Bowden Campbell, says fans can expect to see some new music played during their set.
“We are making a point of playing all the new songs at every opportunity we get. So yes, hopefully we’ll get to play the whole new album at Fuzz Fest. And we’ll probably chuck a few oldies in too just so we don’t get bashed. We’ve got a good feeling about it. We think it’s going to be very special.”
Having been in the music industry for such a long time, they’ve seen a lot of changes happening around them. Luckily, they haven’t been forced to change along with it. “For better or for worse, our mindset actually hasn’t changed since the ‘90s. We make music for ourselves, and are lucky to have a small but dedicated group of people that enjoy it almost as much as we do,” Bowden says. “Nobody has any unrealistic expectations. Cooperate, and nobody gets hurt.”
While they haven’t had the most prolific output, Front End Loader have released five studio albums (as well as numerous EPs and a live album) in their quarter of a century together. The band’s learned a lot along the way, but they’re most proud of being able to keep making music together.
“For me, I think the fact that the same four people have been doing what we do for over 25 years is a bit of an achievement. It’s changed, we’ve changed, but the intent is the same. And the delivery has, I hope, improved,” Bowden says. “We have a clearer idea of what we are trying to do, but give less of a fuck about it at the same time, if that makes sense.”
With a sizeable gap between releases, one of the challenges a band faces is being able to get into a different mindset for each release. For fans expecting similar topics to the last album, Bowden hopes they keep an open mind.
“Every album is a snapshot of place and time, and individual and collective headspace. Most gigs we do, we try to find a word or a theme that sets the tone. Same with making records.
“Our last one was intended to be our ‘good time party album.’ This one is more a reflection of a bunch of middle aged men who find themselves deeply dissatisfied with pretty much everything. Doesn’t mean it’s not an entirely enjoyable listen, or a tuneful rocking experience, but I can’t say that it’s from a completely happy place,” Bowden says.
The band hopes to have the record out before the end of 2017, but they’re not making any promises. “Hopefully we’ll have our shit together enough to have it out before the end of the year. But hey, it’s been six years since the last one, so another couple of months won’t make too much difference.”
As for what the rest of 2017 holds for the band? “Release the record. Play gigs around the country. Finish the job. Just keep driving.”
