Butcher Birds

Mon 19th Oct, 2009 in Features

Having released a fine debut album Set My Bones earlier this month, Brisbane’s Butcher Birds will give the songs a run at Valley Fiesta. We caught up with the band ahead of the weekend-long celebration.

Your album is out in a few days, how’s it feel to have the debut LP under your belt?
Oh man, so good. It’s been such a long process getting it out into the world – not just the recording part, but also certain logistical aspects that are too boring and numerous to go into. Plus I think all of the songs are very close to what we have in mind when we are playing them live, which we are very happy about. And of course, it’s our first recording with our new drummer which is wonderful. He sings a song too.

Anything you would change on it?
Hmm, not really. I would have liked more time to fiddle with mixes and production, but hey, we’re not Spiritualized. And this CD has probably taken too long to come out anyway. I mean, the last one was in 2006.

You’ve supported some pretty full on bands in your time (Beasts of Bourbon and Eagles of Death Metal to name a couple). Who’s created the most in-show havoc – or is rock – œn roll in fact really professional?
In show havoc? Hmm. Most of the havoc really occurs offstage, and the prime culprits of that are Beasts of Bourbon. We’re good mates with Spencer P Jones, so we spent a lot of time with the band when they were in Brisbane. Not Tex though – I think he goes to hide out in a hotel somewhere.

We had our infamous post-Tivoli after party with them at Jacinta’s house and I remember being crammed into a bedroom with Brian Hooper, Spencer, most of the Butcher Birds, and some fellow partygoers when the police rocked up. Dan from Sixfthick had blood coming out of his head at the time, because someone decided to hit him with a guitar. There was also a fire at some point.

We have also taken them on outings around Fortitude Valley, which was always interesting, because they enjoy smashing glasses, beating each other up, smoking indoors and I think Brian tried to put his head up Jacinta’s skirt, much to my disgust and amusement.

Eagles were lovely; Jesse told us a lot of bad jokes. I tried to stay out of Joey Castillo’s way because that guy scares the shit outta me. He plays drums like a caveman smashing heads together.

Summer’s creeping up, but you’ve got Valley Fiesta in the meantime. It’s quite a tidy lineup this year, are you looking forward to it?
We don’t get a chance to play outside, or to an all-ages audience very often, so I look forward to that. It seems like the all-ages music festival is becoming a disappearing phenomenon. This, is suspect, is because of the Australian Government’s increasing desire to nanny everyone, in terms of licensing and other garbage (give me my full-strength festival beer back BTW) so it’s good that the kids can still come to Fiesta. I look forward to seeing what the Day of the Dead theme brings to the festival also.

Any other bands on the bill you’re keen to catch?
C.W Stoneking’s latest album is amazing, so I am eager to catch that show. Also, Bob Log III of course. But I won’t be participating in any – œboob scotch’ action, thank you very much. Bob radiates benevolence and good times – I have a theory that he’s actually Jesus.

Which do you prefer, shows on the road or heading back to Brisbane and your – œfaithful’?
We have a Brisbane faithful now?! Do you mean the three old guys that come to every show? No, it’s all fun really. I do like hanging out in a van with my BFFs. Playing shows in a different city is kind of good because you don’t really know anyone. That makes me less nervous.

How’s the summer looking for the band? Will you be looking for some festival slots to promote the new album or the more traditional full on touring?
I hope we are doing some festival slots (call me, guys). And we will be touring as much as we possibly can, because we have our very own van now.

Butcher Birds play Valley Fiesta in Brisbane on the weekend of Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October.