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?
Sean: My name’s Sean, and I play bass and sing
Neil: My name’s Neil and I play guitar
Angus: My name’s Angus and I play drums
‘Fess up. What records have you stolen from your parents’ record collection and why?
Sean: When I was younger, I really got into my dad’s copy of ‘Love This City’ by The Whitlams. His vinyl collection is vast, there is a lot of awesome stuff in there, as well as a lot of shit. But I’d have to say that what sticks out the most is King Crimson’s ‘In the Court of the Crimson King’, that is quite an amazing LP.
Neil: A 70s disco album called Stars on 45 by the group of the same name. They do disco medleys of Beatles songs all recorded by Dutch Beatles impersonators who sound heaps like John and Paul. It was the album we would listen to on car trips. I also took a few Bee Gees albums. Other than that my parents listen to some pretty awful music.
Angus: I have vivid memories of being woken up on Sunday mornings to my father playing old Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin LP’s.I also recall several occasions where I spent evening meals listening to Blondie’s ‘Parallel Lines’. But I suppose if we’re talking outdated modes of technology my childhood was raped by Dire Straits and Willie Nelson cassettes on car long trips. Golden years.
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What’s on heavy rotation on your iPod right now?
Sean: At the Drive-in’s ‘Acrobatic Tenement’, The Blood Brother’s ‘Crimes’. Also Pharoahe Monch’s ‘Internal Affairs’ and Tyler, The Creator’s ‘Goblin’. Hip-hop has had a significant influence on our band.
Neil: Wu-Tang Clan’s ‘8 Diagrams’ and Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s self titled album. Ruban Nielson is a cool guy.
Angus: I took up Alpine’s ‘Zurich’ EP with wide open arms a few months back so that has been on ,and remains on pretty heavy rotation for the long term. As of late though Collarbone’s ‘Iconography’ has been blowing my mind along with Toro Y Moi’s ‘Underneath the Pine’ and more importantly Wild Nothing’s ‘Golden Haze’ EP has been amazingly cool.
‘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?
Sean: I’d have to say that they are on par with one another. In both cases, one is making illegal copies of an artist’s music and thus making it financially difficult for many musicians to continue to publish their music. However, file sharing’s effects are significantly more profound, as they are on a much larger scale. That said, File sharing enables more people to hear your music and gives newer bands more opportunities. A lot of the newer bands we love owe their success to file sharing.
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?
Sean: The first gig I went to was Evermore at the Hi-Fi bar, when I was about 12 or 13. They were supported by The Panda Band, The Red Sun Band and The Vasco Era. I think The Vasco Era were selling their first EP at the time.
Neil: I was 15, and it was The Mars Volta at Festival Hall.
Angus: The Strokes’ show at Festival Hall in 2006 along with Mercy Arms I was around 13. Why Mercy Arms were wearing capes I’ll never understand.
What’s your favourite site to download music from and do you ever pay for it? Can we find any of your releases there?
Angus: Bandcamp, Triple J Unearthed or Generally any torrent site I can get my greedy hands on. The attachments of amateur pornography are like added surprises. It’s kind of like a lucky dip when you’re desperate for an album and not willing to fork out the money you got from your parents for doing nothing. You can find some demo recordings of ours on Triple J Unearthed.
What artist made you want to pick up an instrument and/or sing?
Sean: Our older brothers and their friends all played in bands so they were a big influence on us to learn instruments.
As a band, the three of us are big listeners of At the Drive-In, Damn Arms, Foals and alot of hip hop music.
Have you ever been arrested?
Angus: God I wish those rape charges would go away…
Do you have any particular ritual before you go on stage, or even a lucky charm you take with you?
Neil: We hit the gym and pump up.
Supposing you were to be playing sold out stadiums on your next tour, what outrageous rider requests would you submit?
Sean: I remember back in 2009 my brother’s band, SFHB!, were playing at Falls Fest and Angus and I were given back stage passes for the extent of the event. I recall sneaking into
Girl Talk’s cabin and stealing this big cookie and saying to myself, “one day when I’m famous enough, I want to ask for one of these cookies too.”
Neil: I don’t think I can top Sean’s one. Way too outrageous.
Because it’s more fun to do things together, which living Australian artist would you most like to collaborate with? Tell us why?
Neil: Karina Utomo from Young and Restless. Damn gurl.
Sean: Gerling for sure. I wish they were still together. They were truly amazing. Their music is so badass.
Angus: The Guys from Deep Sea Arcade. And I have a feeling Nic Mckenzie would be totally down for it also because I let him cut in the ‘shower line’ at Peats Ridge Festival.
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 single “Secretariat” is coming out soon. We’re playing at Workers Club on the 31st of August with The Hello Morning. Our facebook page is www.facebook.com/lefoxmusic . Swag
