We’d like to know a little bit about you for our files, but we don’t like regurgitating press releases or asking the easy questions. At Tone Deaf we only ask the tough questions, so just hold still, grit your teeth, clench your buttocks and be still while we put on the rubber gloves, apply the thumbscrews, and pull out our thermometer while you open up and say ahhhhhhhhhhh… Truthful answers only or we drink your rider while you’re on stage.
Ok. My name is Simon Berkfinger and I’m from the Philadelphia Grand Jury. I sing and play guitar.
Who gets the most ‘off stage action’ in the band? What’s the secret to their success?
Susie our drummer is killing it at the moment. She is quite the womanizer.
Have you ever been arrested? Where were you, and what was it for?
Twice. Once by mistake New Years Eve 2003 because they thought I had been in some crazy fight and the second was for public nudity in Perth. No charges, they just scared the shit out of me and then let me go.
What’s been the worst day job you’ve ever had?
I used to pump petrol at a gas station. It was actually pretty fun and mostly involved trying to fix old ladies’ cars because they were too stingy to go to the mechanic.
Sex, drugs and groupies – In what order do you prefer them and how often?
I prefer art, thinking and work. We like to get things done and being in an independent band that controls your own destiny involves a lot of effort and leaves little time for fooling around. I like a drink and I’ve had my share of rock and roll but I really don’t think that leaving a legacy of hollow partying is what I want to do. Different strokes for different blokes I suppose.
Take us back to the first gig you went to. Where was it and what was the venue?
The Fauves at Northpoint Tavern in Sydney. It was awesome.
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 don’t know how to do much of that stuff. I just youtube things because I really like film clips.
What’s the furtherest you’d go to win over a new fan?
I’m secure enough to not need a person to be a fan but I do like to mess with people. I’ve definitely licked some faces and climbed on some balconies in my time.
Right, thanks for answering the tough questions, tell us about upcoming gigs/tours and releases
That’s the toughest question. We are going to be on tour in every corner of Australia until next February. Our first record Hope is For Hopers has been rereleased as Hope is For The Hopeless with extra tracks and a DVD. I’m sure you people are resourceful enough to find all of this out for yourselves.
The album, Hope Is For The Hopeless is out now and the band commence their massive national tour next week – all dates are here
