Basement Birds Vs Birds OfTokyo

Wed 22nd Sep, 2010 in Features

They do say that birds of a feather flock together and that seem to hold true for the Coaster festival lineup, with two of Australia’s most loved winged groups – Basement Birds and Birds Of Tokyo – flying in to play sets on the mainstage.

FasterLouder perched in the aviary to listen in as Kevin Mitchell of Basement Birds grilled Adam Weston from Birds Of Tokyo about transport preferences, John Farnham covers and collaborating with Richie Benaud.

What do you like more, cars or boats? Give reasons….
I’d have to say boats pretty much due to our fine feathered friend Scott Horscroft (who produced Birds of Tokyo ) having a rather large and luxurious boat. He says he often stays/lives on the boat for extended periods of time, which to me sounds better than living in a car. However I did come across an image for a t-shirt online which I forwarded onto Scott that had a simple picture of a sailing boat with the text ‘Nice day to go sailing…if you’re a dick.’ I don’t think I’m invited on the boat any more.

How did you get your name…nah, just kidding…Have you ever been to Tokyo and if so what is the strangest thing you have seen for sale or bought from a vending machine. If you haven’t been to Tokyo, what is the strangest thing you’ve ever seen for sale from a vending machine?
Unfortunately no, I haven’t spent any time in Japan, but we’re all looking to get there in the near future. I don’t think I’ve seen anything too weird for sale, but I’d have to say the first thing that pops into my head regarding vending machines is years ago I passed a teenager who had his hand caught in one…trying to steal something of course. It was quite a scene with cops and a fire brigade in attendance who had sealed off the area, and looked like they had to take the machine apart. It reminded of when Homer had his arm caught in one, except he was still holding on to the can of soda!

Apart from the Coaster line up, name five bands who would appear on your dream festival line up.
Off the top of my head – The New Pornographers, Brian Wilson, Mariachi El Bronx, Elvis Costello & Ween.

Is it ironic to cover a John Farnham song or just a bit silly? What John Farnham song would you cover if you had to choose one?
I never quite connected with the Whispering Jack era of John Farnham, how very un-Australian of me, even though I did receive You’re The Voice on 45 for my sixth birthday…ha. I think we would have to go back and visit the days of Johnny Farnham with tracks like One, Sadie and Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head. Seeing that both Birds and Farnsy will be performing at Rod Laver for the Footy Show next week, maybe we’re destined to team up for a silly and highly inappropriate number.

If Richie Benaud approached you to produce a solo album of original songs he had written, would you take the gig and what musical direction would you encourage him to follow?
It would totally have to be in the vein of some great Aussie hip-hop. Just imagine all that classic commentary over some phat ass beats spliced with infectious samples and hooks galore…instant classic!

If, like Meat Loaf, you would do anything for love, what would be the “that” which you wouldn’t do?
There’s not much I wouldn’t do, but Google monkey and frog and that should give you a pretty good idea!

Check out the set times and map for Coaster