Sure we’ve heard about you before, but we think it’s time for Tone Deaf to get to know you a little better. Slip in to something comfortable while we put on some music, pour us a couple of drinks and turn the lights down low.
Who are you and what do you do in your act?
I’m Teneil. I push buttons, play guitar, sing and sometimes play the organ.
‘Fess up. What records have you stolen from your parents’ record collection and why?
When CDs became the new trend I remember taking a drive with my step dad to the tip where we used their entire record collection as frizbees. We were throwing them one by one seeing how far we could get them. As we got to the bottom of the collection we started snapping them in half so we didn’t run out of frizbees so quick. Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” got some good air. I feel a bit sick in the tummy. I’m sure if someone took a day trip to the Bunbury tip and put in some good time, you might recover Hot Butter’s “Popcorn”.
What’s on heavy rotation on your iPod right now?
RZA “White Lightening”
Nine Inch Nails “33 Ghosts – IV “
GOD “My Pal”
Balam Acab “See Birds”
Air “Dead Bodies”
Air “Sexy Boy”
The Organ “Brother”
DJ Shadow “Organ Donor”
Ash Moss “my song 51 Dark Bells homo demos”
‘Home taping is killing the music business’ was the catch-cry of the record industry in the 1970s, but it managed to survive until now. What do you think is the difference between mates taping copies of friend’s records back in the 80s and 90s and file sharing now?
I don’t really know how to answer this question in a way that would convince a reader that I knew what I was talking about. So here is a picture I really like…
You must answer this question honestly or we steal your rider. What was the first gig you went to.?Where was it and what was the venue?
Alanis Morrisette. Perth Entertainment centre. Perth city. 1994. I wore denim overalls. Taylor Hawkins was the touring drummer. That is all I have to say on that matter.
What’s your favourite site to download music from and do you ever pay for it? Can we find any of your releases there?
I use ITunes and Isohunt. I definitely pay for independent releases and singles (they cost next to nothing by the way). We have some tracks available on media fire I saw the other day. We have just finished mixing a 7” that we will release within the next 6 months. Both of the singles “Fever Pitch” and “Sunshine Falls” will also be available on Itunes too.
What artist made you want to pick up an instrument and/or sing?
Chan Marshall
Have you ever been arrested?
Before last week I would have said never, but I was arrested on the way to a show we played in Marrickville with Pets with Pets recently. My charge was “never licensed” (turns out I hadn’t renewed my license in 8 years…) Also “reckless driving” (trying to avoid a booze bus because I didn’t have my license). Fortunately they never looked in the back of the van I was driving as shit could have become much much worse.
It was definitely a case of good cop bad cop. The male cop was really nice but the lady one had a bad attitude. She was mean.
We were 20 mins late to our show and I have to go to court on the 5th July.
Do you have any particular ritual before you go on stage, or even a lucky charm you take with you?
We always cheers our glasses before we go on… that’s about it.
What’s been your most outrageous rider request?
We’re not that famous. I read once that when Fleetwood Mac toured they would request a medieval fest of which they would never eat (we all know why that is). I’m a vegetarian so I wouldn’t ask for that.
Because it’s more fun to do things together, which living Australian artist would you most like to collaborate with? Tell us why?
Kirin J. Callinan. He is one of the most talented guitarists to have come out of this country and one of the cleverest people I know.
Right, let’s get really intimate. Tell us what releases you have that we can listen to with the lights down low, or even better, where we can see you play in person next.
One time after a show a girl came up to me and said “that’s great music to fuck to”. It confused me because most of our songs back then were quite aggressive. If you were to take a lady home I probably wouldn’t recommend you put on Dark Bells “Demos” cd to get the party started. You could however, impress her by taking her to our farewell show at the NIGHTCAT in Fitzroy this Thursday 30th June where she would be so impressed with your impeccable taste in taking her to see such bands as Dark Bells, the Process and Machine as well as Ali from Beached spinning some vinyl… it’ll be a sure thing. Did I mention it’s 100% free entry so you will have more money to buy your date drinks and therefore she will find you more attractive.
