What have been your musical epiphany moments?
From the moment I saw Animal from the Muppets I was fucking sold. To see him go absolutely crazy just made me want to do the same. Mix that with my old man banging his head to Deep Purple in the car there was no way I could escape that fast heavy and frenetic beast that is rock. Also hearing Paranoid by black Sabbath was a huge epiphany, It had everything. Darkness, light. Huge pounding drums, awesome riffs and killer vocals. It was like nothing else I had heard before
Talk to us about the song-writing process for you. What comes first, the idea? A riff? The lyrics? How does it all fall into place?
For me personally it’s all about a riff first and how it feels when it’s played. I hear everything at once and then construct a lyric around the certain emotion at that time.
Who has influenced you the most?
Couldn’t pin point one person because it’s usually a combination of all the instruments together. Saying that I love Hendrix, the Beatles and Melvins to name a few.
Where do you look for continuing inspiration? New ideas, new motivation
Mostly seeing local bands and getting into what they are doing.
We're all a product of our environment. Tell us about the band's hometown and how that reflects in the music?
Northern Victoria, Australia definitely would play a big part in shaping a big part of the sound. Country isolation and boredom mixed into over stimulation and city lights.
Where'd the band name come from?
Nida (Guitar vocals) came up with the name while cleaning his kitchen. He sent me a few other ideas eg. Apocalypse Shadow which I thought was to dark. eventually we went with Silverlight Shadows it represents all things that come out in the moonlight good and evil
You have one chance, what movie are you going to write the soundtrack for?
Whatever Tarantino decides to make next.
You now write for a music publication (The Ripple
Effect?). You're going to write a 1,000
word essay on one song. Which would it be and why?
Honeybucket by the Melvins. It is one of the toughest riffs I've ever heard. The film clip is awesome as well, there playing in a barn or something with a heap of goats rocking out and crowd surfing and stuff. (1000 words can kiss my arse)
Come on, share with us a couple of your great, Spinal Tap, rock and roll moments?
Had a bloody good gig lined up in Melbourne a couple of years back. Everything seemed to looking great for a big night. We were pumped and ready to get our gear up onstage. Carried up the amp the guitar and then $@c& I’d forgotten my pedals. Had to borrow everything. We’ve also had shows where other bands couldn’t get their gear because the storage joint had shut early and we lent them everything, so it all works out.
Tell us about playing live and the live experience for you and for your fans?
It's fuckin fast, there are no breaks between songs when we play live and as an audience there is no escape. Get it all out of your system then come hang out for a beer and a few laughs.
What makes a great song?
A good song needs a good beat. It has to feel right. The notes can’t be just played they need to be lived and delivered like they meant it. Clever lyrics and a good melody will seal the deal and kept short.
Tell us about the first song you ever wrote?
The first song I ever wrote was probably a sort of a hippie folk tune. It’s ok. It had quite a catchy chorus but was super simple.
What piece of your music are particularly proud of?
I think our new single Black The World is really strong. It’s fast, straight to the point and catchy all at once.
Who today, writes great songs? Who just kicks your ass? Why?
King Gizzard are just constantly writing great tunes and have a sound and tones that I think will make their songs stand the test of time.
Vinyl, CD, or digital? What's your format of choice?
Vinyl, cassette and CD in that order. Digital stuff is great for in the car or when you are out camping etc.
Whiskey or beer? And defend your choice
I’ll have a whiskey first then a beer second. Then I’ll have a beer and another whiskey. Try and talk me out of it! Go on then!
We, at the Ripple Effect, are constantly looking for new music. What's your home town, and when we get there, what's the best record store to lose ourselves in?
If you’re coming to Melbourne there are plenty of great record stores you should check out all these: Heartland, Greville Records, Round & Round, Thornbury Records, Strangeworld, Poison City.
What's next for the band?
We’re making a film clip this weekend for Black The World. So really looking forward to that! Hopefully our split 7inch with Melbourne band Monarchus will be delivered in the next few weeks. That’ll lead up to our launch On January 18th at a cool venue called The Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar.
Any final comments or thoughts you'd like to share with our readers, the waveriders?
If any of the readers out there are around in North Melbourne on January 18th and are in need of some no bullshit rock fury be sure to get your arse down to The Last Chance for night of fun and mayhem.
