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 Mohammad Finkelstein. I play guitar in TEENAGE MOTHERS.
‘Fess up. What records have you stolen from your parent’s record collection and why?
None!!!! I usually don’t like my Dad’s taste in music. He listens to some wack lesbians like Tracy Chapman and kd lang. I got nothing against lesbians, save me the hate mail.
What’s on heavy rotation on your iPod right now?
HTRK, Danzig, Rowland S. Howard, The Horrors, Pulp. Not OFKTWAWG or whatever the fuck that trendy hip-hop crew is called.
‘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?
Back in the 80s, reality flickered like a nostalgic VHS tape. Now everything is crystal clear. Painfully clear.
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?
Mick Jagger solo at the Melbourne Tennis Centre. The guy in front of me fell asleep. I was about seven. I bet Mick Jagger got 13 blowjobs that night.
What’s your favourite site to download music from and do you ever pay for it? Can we find any of your releases there?
Mess and Noise, so I know what the Fitzroy/Newtown kids are into…. Plus you can read about Ben Butler and his secret gay crush on Pav. Feelings of rejection often mutate into hostility, Ask any psychiatrist.
What artist made you want to pick up an instrument and/or sing?
Sonic Youth. I only owned Sonic Youth records until I was about 22. I also had ‘The Simpsons Sing the Blues’. I still know ‘Do the Bartman’.
Have you ever been arrested?
Ha ha. What a coincidence that you ask. Yeah, this week in Sydney, I was on trial for assaulting a Tiger Airways check-in attendant. It was total bullshit. I had to visit Sydney twice for my bail conditions. She fabricated the statement against me. The CCTV showed NOTHING. She refused to testify, because she wouldn’t lie under oath. The case got dismissed. It cost me a lot of money though.
Do you have any particular ritual before you go on stage, or even a lucky charm you take with you?
I yell at everyone. JK (our lead singer) inhales nitrous oxide. It’s all new and fun for him.
What’s been your most outrageous rider request?
You want some stupid story about green M & Ms? We don’t make rider requests, we’re not fucking Van Halen.
Because it’s more fun to do things together, which living Australian artist would you most like to collaborate with? Tell us why?
Angus and Julia Stone. We would get them really drunk and stoned. Then they would finally fuck each other.
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.
Our debut single is called ‘Orlando and Miranda’. The song is about a beautiful famous couple living in luxury, while ordinary people become junkies, prostitutes and homeless bums. Download it at www.teenagemothers.bandcamp.com
In June, we play a Thursday night residency at Yah Yahs in Melbourne.. We’ve got rad bands playing with us, like Dark Bells and Sambrose Automobile. Plus POON DJs, who are a bunch of gay sponsored skateboarders. We will be giving away free nitrous oxide and goon. Only 8 bucks, Hooray.
