When I was a kid, growing up in a house with Cat Stevens,
Neil Diamond, and Simon and Garfunkel, the first time I ever heard Kiss's
"Detroit Rock City,"
it was a moment of musical epiphany. It was just so vicious, aggressive and
mean. It changed the way I listened to music. I've had a few minor epiphany's
since then, when you come across a band that just brings something new and
revolutionary to your ears.
What have been your musical epiphany moments?
Music in my house growing up was more Little River Band, Johnny O'Keefe and Suzie Quatro, so I had a reasonable grounding in blues based rock. My biggest musical epiphany came when a friend played me Kiss Alive, the first live album I had heard and certainly my introduction to a heavier rock sound. From there I progressed to bands like Rose Tattoo, ACDC, Angels and a lifelong addiction to pub rock was born.
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?
Generally Jamie will come up with a riff or melody that he likes. We extrapolate from there and I let the lyrics come to me when I get a feel for the tune. Sometimes I get an idea for lyrics and will write them first so Jamie can create a tune to fit and even rarer I will come up with a tune and lyrics, I'll play them for Jamie, he calls me a wanker and tells me the music sucks and writes something better and we have a song.
Who has influenced you the most?
Strangely enough, my biggest influence has been Glenn Shorrock from the Little River Band. His songs always had great melodies and had lyrics that told stories that really spoke to me. I met him a couple of years ago and was so overwhelmed by his presence that I couldn't even speak to him. I think he thought I was a bit slow, so he was very nice to me. I hate to admit it, but I am also extremely influenced by my band mates in the Dirty Rats. They have really taught me what pub rock is all about and there is no way I could write or perform as I do now if not for them.
Where do you look for continuing inspiration? New ideas, new motivation?
My inspiration and motivation is gained through my own life and the lives of those around me. When I write lyrics, they are always based on things that have happened to me or my friends, usually with a lot of embellishment to make it sound more exciting.
We're all a product of our environment. Tell us about the band's hometown and how that reflects in the music?
Dirty Rats were born and fermented in the pub circuit of inner Melbourne, home of the greatest and most active rock scene in Australia. Our sound is loud, raw and gritty, just like Melbourne.
Where'd the band name come from?
That ones pretty easy. It was the 80's and it sounded cool, at least to a bunch of teenagers, so it stuck.
You have one chance, what movie are you going to write the soundtrack for?
Definitely Milo and Otis – The Musical
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?
Probably “Rock Star”. It is a throwback to our blues roots and is a story about having big dreams, getting older and re-evaluating what is important in your life. Its a cool little song and one of my favourites.
Come on, share with us a couple of your great, Spinal Tap,
rock and roll moments?
Back in 2013 I had a motorbike accident, skidded into a car and my leg got twisted off. They re-attached it, but over several operations it got shorter and shorter and now my right leg is 5cm shorter than my left and only the tibia is healed, so I don't have much control over my ankle. I like to move around a bit when performing, although stomping might be a better description. One night we were playing to a crowd in a country venue, who were all up and dancing. I thought it would be a good idea to jump down off the stage, about a 5 foot drop, and dance with the crowd. Very rock and roll. Unfortunately my leg didn't like that idea and I ended up just falling off the edge of the stage and face planting on the floor. Hurt a bit, but got a good laugh, so that was something I guess.
Tell us about playing live and the live experience for you and for your fans?
Performing live is what we are all about and we are damn good at it. When you go to a Dirty Rats gig, you know it's going to be loud, raucous and fun.
What makes a great song?
Simple formula. It needs a good riff, lyrics that tell a story, and a really cool lead break. Get that right and everything else falls into place
Tell us about the first song you ever wrote?
First song I ever wrote was Not Alone which was re-written with a better tune and recorded on our last album
What piece of your music are particularly proud of?
Same song, Not Alone. It's a throwback to my previous life and is an anthem for the down trodden and mis-treated.
Vinyl, CD, or digital? What's your format of choice?
I like digital, it is just so accessible and immediate, and it kicks other formats arse for sound quality.
Whiskey or beer? And
defend your choice
Definitely Whisky. Tasty and elegant. Beer is fine, but it bloats you up and once you start pissing you cant stop.
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?
Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. Rock Steady in Lonsdale St is pretty good for vinyl and independent releases.
What's next for the band?
We are looking forward to our album release in December and then we hope to do some touring next year, maybe in Japan or Europe, we'd love to play in Germany. Lots of live performing, just as we like it.
Any final comments or thoughts you'd like to share with our readers, the waveriders?
The new album, End in Tears, is due for release on the 13th of December and we will be playing with a couple of excellent bands that night, Avalanche and Riff Raiders, so looking forward to that. I loved the last album, but this new one is absolutely brilliant in my opinion, so I reckon all your readers should check it out and buy a copy.
