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. So, tell us about yourselves…Who are you – who who? We really wanna know….
Who are you and what do you do in your act?
We’re called La Bastard – we’re a country-rock-noise-surf-a-billy good time! We’re a four piece comprising two guys and two girls. Imagine some of Lee Hazlewood and Nancy Sinatra’s mid 1960’s output put through with a dash of Roy Orbison melancholy, some Cramps attitude, a shot of Gun Club energy, all put through a Jesus Lizard blender with some Man…Or Astro Man? on the side. Well that’s what we were trying to do anyway!
I play guitar and write most of the songs with Anna, our lovely and talented singer!
‘Fess up. What records have you stolen from your parents’ record collection and why?
All my parents had were Beatles records and Andrew Lloyd Webber musical soundtracks. My brother stole the Beatles records. They’ve still got the Lloyd Webber stuff.
What’s on heavy rotation on your iPod right now?
Love The Beatles?
Get the latest The Beatles news, features, updates and giveaways straight to your inbox Learn more
Listening to lots of 1960’s and 1970’s garage rock from around the globe. Sublime Frequencies have put out a compilation of surf acts from Pakistan entitled ‘Pakistan: Folk and Pop Instrumentals’. Crazy stuff! Mavi Isiklar from Turkey and Koes Plus from Indonesia are always winners in my opinion as well!
‘Home taping is killing the music business’ was the catch-cry of the record industry in the 1970s and 1980s, 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 steal a lot more music now than I used to! But seriously, if it gets your name out there, it’s all good in my opinion. Most real fans will still buy a record if they like your stuff. Especially if you do a nice gatefold vinyl.
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?
The first proper show I went to was Mr Bungle’s California tour underage gig at the Corner Hotel (in 99 or 2000)? I must have been about 16. We lined up for hours beforehand and ran straight to the front of the stage, the kind of behaviour I’d have absolutely no patience for these days! Though I hate to admit my former liking of that band, it was a pretty good time.
What’s your favourite site to download music from and do you ever pay for it? Can we find any of your releases there?
We’re still working on our proper first release, it’s probably due out before the end of the year (and hopefully on vinyl!) You can find about 5 of our songs on Soundcloud, which is also linked to our website, www.labastard.com, and our Facebook page (link below)
What artist made you want to pick up an instrument and/or sing?
I think it was probably a combination of Jimmy Page (who I was listening to a lot of when I was 15 – how original for a teenage boy!) and Frank Zappa. My teenage years were filled with lots of shredding, thankfully shredding is kept to a minimum in La Bastard.
Have you ever been arrested?
Nope! Though I once ran a red light, got a hefty ticket and never paid it. So here’s hoping for the future!
Do you have any particular ritual before you go on stage, or even a lucky charm you take with you?
My guitar’s pretty lucky. Always make sure I take that on stage with me.
Supposing you were to be playing sold out stadiums on your next tour, what outrageous rider requests would you submit?
First edition copies of Tolstoy’s War and Peace. We like readin’ in style. And a tax deductible donation made by the venue to a humanitarian organisation of our choice. Take that Bono!
Because it’s more fun to do things together, which living Australian artist would you most like to collaborate with? Tell us why?
That guy that does turntables in the Cat Empire. He really adds a lot to their overall sound.
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. Naturally, don’t forget to give us the link to your Facebook fan page too.
Our first release is scheduled for later this year. In the meantime, you can check out some select tracks at our website www.labastard.com or our Facebook page http://listn.to/labastard.
Plus we’ve got shows coming up in August!
Friday 19th August @ The Retreat w/ The Exotics (Free!!)
Thursday 25th August @ The Builders Arms (Mini Residency) w/ Sex Face
