The last time Faster Louder heard from the Sydney based metal band Tourettes, they were headed off to the land of ice and snow (aka Canada) to record their third metal-packed odyssey and take a bite out of the North-American scene.
This time round, they’ve came, they’ve seen, and they’ve conquered the Canadian ice and have moved on to the land of tanned skin and glittery eyes, also more commonly known as Los Angeles.
While lead vocalist Michele Madden spent the past few weeks in California waiting for her boys to show up (Ash-Guitar, Ross-Bass, Quigs-Drums), she took some time out to answer a few questions for us.
So Mish, How goes the upcoming album?
I have been away from it for almost seven weeks so I can’t really tell you but what I listened to before I left was amazing. I really got to try out a lot of different ideas as a writer and a singer so I hope that that comes across when people finally hear the bloody thing! The boys seem pretty stoked so I will take that as a good sign.
It was massive when I bailed so now I am in the same boat as all the sikfuks! I dunno what it’s gonna sound like!
You and the boys have taken a massive leap heading overseas to make a dent in the scenes over there… what sets you apart from the other bands here?
We put out meagre money where our mouths were! That’s about it in regards to leaving. So many bands that are dear to me are from Australia but some of the bands on the metal scene [you know who you are] can feel free to pick the peanuts out of my shit. We always wanted to do as much as we could as a band and touring OS was a big part of that. If people have a problem with us and that I don’t give a fuck. I have been flying the Aussie flag the whole time I have been away.
Do you find the tour legs in Canada and the states different to those here back at home?
Sometimes…just different shit flying past the bus window. You are in the same unit which is cool. Same crew and you just roll in, commence sonic plundering and roll out. I just love being on the road and doing shows. That is my bottom line. I always have a good book and my Discman so it’s sweet. Distance can grind you down but if you don’t like it don’t do it. The punters are more scared of us on this side of the world. No complaints from me on that front!
So you’re currently tearing it up in Los Angeles… how’s the land of surf and sun treating you?
The good stuff? Pretty cool. I have been solo down here since Valentines Day and have been shifting through a lot of personal shit and betrayal that has fucked with me since I left Sydney. Good news? More songs for the next album! Bad news? I am over it, you know? I like it here. I have a cool sofa to sleep on and have made a few mates.
Bad shit? Trustifarian wanna-be wankers and everyone is high ALL the time. Being broke. But I am doing what I said I would do so that keeps me rolling, no matter how banged up and damaged!
Do you think the metal scene here in Australia tends to get ignored?That’s a hard one to answer ‘cause I know for a fact that when we were in Vancouver I was asked, more than once, why it had taken us so long to get there. Bloodduster are massive on the underground and I spoke at length with fans who knew a lot about Aussie bands so I guess if you keep pushing that you get you shit out there one way or another.
In Australia?
I think that the scene is pretty healthy to tell you the truth. MFTB [Metal For The Brain] is one of the biggest metal fests in the world and although you don’t get to play every night you can still pull a good crowd when you do. We get great support, from the underground and the sikfuk cells all over the place so as far as I can see it’s pretty sweet.
As a recognised metal legend out here, have you found yourself facing any adversities for being a female vocalist in a particularly male dominated genre?
chokes on Dr Pepper
Legend? You have gotta be kidding me! I am only just starting!!! The Rev. Kris Hades, Blackie and Ray from the Hard-ons, Duster, Josh Nixon, Lucy from Armoured Angel... The list is sooo long… those are the players that are legends, am flattered… thanks for making me blush and shit.
Fuck gender. If anyone has a problem with me that’s just what it is…with me as an artist. I want to be one of the best at what I do and that is what I am working towards. Male, female…who gives a shit? People with narrow minds. Cannon fodder. Not my problem.
A sikfuk on the forums wanted to know what the weirdest thing was that a fan has ever done… Your reply?
Asked for my advice about their love lives! Kidding!! Depends on what you mean by “weird” I guess. The sikfuks show me nothing but respect which I try to repay in kind at all times. I get some wonderfully inarticulate hate mail from people but that’s only usually when we are in the spotlight. You do a lot of press all at once so it tends to came out at the same time. Some people think that the “SF4L” Tattoos are weird but I love it.
Signing underage boobs is cool! Got asked to a high school formal… A girl to boot! I told her to run it by her parents and as I never heard from her I assume that she asked a boy and the parents were relieved! I had one kid crawl across the floor and ask me to sign his heart with a sharpie when we played the Tool after-party. He is now in a well known band! [ Don’t ask, my lips are sealed!] We are still friends. It took a lot of guts to do that.
Had people in the pit sniffing a tee-shirt that I ripped off and threw into the audience at The Annandale… That was funny! Been asked out, bitten once [on the chest at a show at Candys] and was stalked in ‘03 which was more annoying than anything else but you do have to be careful.
I have been given great shit. I keep it all as well. The sikfuks know what we all like so I tend to get patches, Slayer bootlegs and Cowboy hats. No complaints!
So there’s this rumour flitting about regarding the legendary Ozzfest tour going global in the next few years. What are your thoughts about an Ozzfest in Oz?
It would be fucking awesome to drop a tour of that size down under! I think about the doors it would open for local bands as well, so fuck yeah, bring it on! And if Sharon is reading this? We are available! Heheheh…
And finally, any hints as to when Tourettes will be returning to home soils?
Aw doll, you know I don’t have an answer…
At present the band is all together in Los Angeles, and meeting with a few contacts to get signed for their latest recordings. Thus far they have made no plans to come home; as they’re about to get some touring underway. Their third album, titled Sicksense will be released within the next few months. Many thanks to Michele for taking the time to give us an update!
If anyone happens to be in the Los Angeles area, you can catch two of their very first gigs in the US.
Dates are as follows:
April 29 @Vinnies Bar, Bakersfield
April 30 @ Peking Gourmet, Victorville (all ages)
