We are Jackson Firebird a couple of guys from Mildura Vic and we play striped down balls n all rock n roll. Check the the reviews below to get a good picture of what we are about.
What’s your earliest memory of performing and who inspired you to start?
The earliest exposure to music memory that my brain allows me is really getting into one of my parents 45s of the single ‘Skinny Girls’ by Alan O’Day. I flogged the hell out of that song and dedicated a lot of time slapping the thighs to it. By about 6 yo my mum kindly let me use a small round coffee table as a drum kit and bought a pair of sticks which I thrashed to death probably to John Denver or Abba or whatever albums my olds were into. It was probably my first drum teacher who switched me onto Little Richard, Elvis, Creedence and John Fogerty that made me want to get together with other people and make music.
Do you prefer the studio or the stage? Which and why?
The stage and putting on a show is what it’s always been about for me and Jackson Firebird. The studio has always felt a bit like a pressure cooker where you have a limited amount of time to get your music down as perfect as you hear in your head. When we play live and one of us or something fucks up it kind of adds to the rawness and fun of the show. With our new album we kept this in mind and often ran with the first or second takes of tracks. They may not have ended up sounding like they should in mind but managed to capture a lot of the spontaneous energy that happens live.
You’ve supported some pretty notables bands, what’s the craziest thing you’ve seen happen on stage?
One of the craziest things to happen on stage with us, was at last years Byron Bay Blues Fest when Kram jumped up from side of stage after he had been on the Pale Ales all day. He danced between smashing the drums, clapping and revving up the crowd, jumping off the riser before tripping over the power to Harvy’s amp killing the guitar and collapsing centre stage. I got a text from him the next day and he apologised, I said fuck that it was the most fun I’ve ever had!
One of the earliest true great rock moments I saw was Blues Explosion on the RRR stage at the Big Day Out in the 90s. Those guys rocked so hard Jon Spencer didn’t realise he had a snot mustache for a good part of the set.
‘Fess up. What records have you stolen from your parent’s record collection and why?
My parents had a pretty shit record collection, but Harvs has managed to snag quite a few from his oldies. Namely The best of Hey Hey its Saturday, The Beach Boys & Elvis.
How does it feel to hear your songs being played on radio?
Ha, I don’t know I’ve never heard our songs on the radio. What radio stations? I have friends tell me they heard a song here or there and it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.
You’ve played all around parts of the of Australia a few times; do you hold any sentimental feeling toward a particular venue?
Yes totally, our home turf for the first couple of years before we started touring was a pub called the Sandbar in Mildura. They were the only real venue in town giving bands who played their own shit a go. That place looked after us and we usually looked after it by giving back every dollar we made back over the bar.
Out of town our next favourite spot is a place called Jive in Adelaide . I don’t think we have ever played a bad gig there it’s such a cool venue for sound and vibe. I got to bash the bottle bin on stage with Bob Log III and do ‘String on a stick’ at Jive. Crazy dude played it twice as fast just about did my hands in.
If you could curate your own festival, where would it be, who would be on the bill, how many people would you let in and what features would it have (attractions/food/bars etc)?
We just played at a small festival called ‘The Hills are Alive’ in South Gipsland. Organisers have got
that right, rolling green hills, one stage with awesome system, camping 1000 max invite only, BYO, petting zoo, gumboot throwing comp and sweet Aussie bands. That festival ticked all the right boxes but I probably would try and squeeze the Allman Brothers Band and Mark of Cain on the bill somewhere.
If you could collaborate with anyone living or dead who would it be?
Kurt Cobain would of been a cool guy to jam with. I’m guessing after Nirvana put Aneurysm together in rehearsal they just all looked at Kurt and went “Fuck Yeah!!!”
What band has excited you the most from the last 12 months?
I have gone back and revisited the Mark of Cain ‘This is this’ album. I have been playing it in my car for the past two months straight. I hear they have a new album coming out soon can’t wait to see them smash out a live set. John Stanier is a legend!!
Touring and recording can be a stressful exercise, what do you guys like to do in your spare time to relax that isn’t music related?
Chilling out with family and friends is the best way to unwind. But just going and watching live gigs and having a drink is what I would most likely be doing all the time if I wasn’t in a band, so I feel lucky. I get to enjoy music and play music and get drunk to music. Oh, you said not music related………
Self-promotion is all-important in music, what’s happening next for the band?
After the tour we have some shows in July, see below:
Wed July 4th – Cherry Bar Melbourne
Wed July 11th Cherry Bar Melbourne
Hyde Park Hotel – July 13th
The Railway Hotel (North Fremantle) – July 14th
We have some new tracks which would be nice to record but mostly just play our arses off to as many people who will listen!
For more info: www.facebook.com/jacksonfirebird
