Hungry Kids Of Hungary

Thu 15th Oct, 2009 in Features

Brisbane indie-pop quartet Hungry Kids Of Hungary is one of over 60 class acts taking the stage at Valley Fiesta 2009 next weekend. FasterLouder caught up with the Hungry Kids – none of them European – in a rare moment of downtime.

So, how many times have you been asked: “Have you guys actually been to Hungary?”
I’d say about 50% of the time! People are like, – œSo, is there a European in the band?’ We do get offensive emails from Hungary and surrounding countries which is both funny and disturbing.

You’re touring with Little Birdy right now off the back of Bertie Blackman during July and August. How’s the lifestyle treating you?
We’ve been on the road for about three months, coming home here and there for day jobs, haircuts and Benny has to feed his cats. We’ve discovered that a strong case of cabin fever has taken over the band in the last few weeks and nothing is really making sense anymore. We’re currently up in north Queensland so it may be the humidity affecting us!

Can you share with us a couple of tales from all that touring you’ve been doing over the last 12 months? What’s one of your best stories?
My favourite stories are when band members go missing, which is rather common. A little while ago a certain band member disappeared in the Yamba region after being invited to a local’s party post-gig. We had no idea where he went but apparently he woke up in a kitchen in Iluka to the sounds of Pantera cranked and car engines revving. We picked him up on the Pacific Highway a few hours later. Actually, Dean went missing last night in Mackay and came home just now at 11.30am.

Summer’s creeping up but you’ve got Valley Fiesta in the meantime. It’s quite a tidy line-up this year, are you looking forward to it?
Heck yes. I played at Valley Fiesta four years ago in a different band and it was damn awesome. We are mega stoked to be playing with such a strong line-up!

Which do you prefer, shows on the road or heading back to Brisbane and your – œfaithful’?
I enjoy touring and meeting crazy people, but overall I prefer playing at home. There’s something comforting about pre-show beers with friends, mid-show heckling from friends and scabbing a lift home with friends! Actually, I don’t have friends. I’m lying.

How’s the summer looking for the band? You’re not down for any festivals until Sunset Sounds in January; does this mean some time off or more recording in the cards?
It’s going to be a bit of both I think. We’re playing Woodford but we’ll definitely be having a rest over Xmas. I’m going to buy one of those self managed detox kits from the Pharmacy. Although my friend said it’s kinda gross. We’re currently recording an album and we will hopefully get back to the studio over the next three months to finish it. There’ll be a single released in a couple of weeks and we’ll be aiming to have the LP out early next year. Fingers crossed!

Hungry Kids Of Hungary play Valley Fiesta in Brisbane on the weekend of Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October. As part of our Valley Fiesta coverage, FasterLouder is offering an exclusive download of the band’s track Scatter Diamonds.