Antiskeptic Are Common Men!

Tue 6th Jul, 2004 in Features

Antiskeptic bass player Sean Daly took some time off preparing for Antiskeptic’s final Aurora Australian Tour in August to answer some questions via email.

The original bass player of Antiskeptic Sean Daly is back and ready to rock but just what exactly does success mean for Antiskeptic and their music?  Debut album Memoirs Of A Common Man saw radio station Triple J adding it to their playlist. This proved to be a great achievement but it was nothing compared to the commercial release of Aurora, where the single Clear To Pass was broadcasted all over Triple M, alongside stations like Sydney’s FBi. Sean Daly provides a possible scenario for such a shift in becoming mainstream.

SD: “Well our agenda wasn’t necessarily to craft a more commercially slanted release but there was definitely an intention to remember the commercial and mainstream audiences and cater for them as well as the punk scene.” Although many would class Antiskeptic’s music genre as pop-punk as a result of Memoirs Of A Common Man, Sean explains trying to move away from this label when producing Aurora to appeal to a larger audience. “If there was an aim at all it was to make a record that took steps AWAY from the pop-punk tag which had followed us from the first releases.”

To anyone who owns Aurora I salute you for having tracked it down. I cannot find the album anywhere I go so I decided to ask Sean just why this was so. Help me out here Sean!!

SD: “Antiskeptic is one of those bands where the record is constantly selling as more and more people become aware of the band.” So whoever manages to find Aurora just remember you are indeed a key factor in contributing to the rise of Antiskeptic. Good on you. They will be very proud indeed.

Now that Antiskeptic have clearly proceeded to the next level of commercialism which caters for a heftier audience it seems this fame will not substantially effect the development of the band. A comment was made by Sean in light of their contribution to the Australian Music Industry.

SD: “We aren’t people who thrive on all the attention but we do enjoy and appreciate the support our audiences have given us. It has been very affirming to have been given the respect and acclaim that has come our way from our music and touring but really…at the end of the day it’s not really that important to us!!! Fame is Fickle!”

So clearly Sean has demonstrated that Antiskeptic’s heads’ are strapped on tight and ready to unleash their melodic, hook driven hard rock when they are out touring.  Antiskeptic are now playing 18+ gigs all over Australia and there will indeed be surprises in store. Sean realises this audience will be a new experience but hopes “the kids who came and saw us when they were under 18 now come to the over age shows and as they grow up…so do their music tastes!”

Sean hopes the music tastes of his fans have expanded but perhaps that is because of their removal of older songs from their tour set. Older songs may be left out of gigs Sean says “only because my personal music tastes have moved away from what we produced earlier”. But never fear, if you want an oldie they’ll be sure to “beef the oldies up a little bit just to keep ourselves interested as well as the audience!”

Touring around Australia will also benefit Antiskeptic’s fans. A limited edition 7inch single of More Than Kind and B side First Time Out can be purchased “at shows and on our webstore” says Sean. To encourage fans and newbies on the scene Sean emphasises the power of being back with the band “It’s great being back to the original lineup…there’s a greater intensity and focus between us than before”.

Silence sweeps over the stage as Antiskeptic prepare their set for the intoxicated punters down in the crowd. As darkness engulfs the stage Antiskeptic slowly creep out and pick up their instruments, ready to rock. The spotlight flicks on and the crowd goes wild! But will the loyal crowd forever remain Australian? Or will this spotlight send these fellows overseas?

SD: “For the moment we are going to do this next tour in August and then start working on album #3. If that is the record to break it overseas then so be it. But Australia is a big place, it could keep us busy for quite a while because there’s plenty of work to go before we are at a Powderfinger or Living End status! Then maybe overseas will look more like a reality.”

It’s good to see Antiskeptic are playing it as it goes and taking their fame as it comes. Since their EP was released in 2000 things seemed to pick up the pace for these Melbourne rockers. “Things really did move along for us after we released the first EP way back then! But I don’t recount the last 4 years a short time! Mainly because of the amount of ground we have covered and growth we have experienced.” Antiskeptic remain on the rise but they are still Antiskeptic. They are firm believers and anti-cynical as their name suggests and very VERY proud of being… Antiskeptic. But what moments are memorable in the life of these musicians?

FL: With your extensive gigging history are there any moments that make you proud that you are Antiskeptic?
SD: “We would each have different answers for that question but for me…none would be more memorable than our album launches for Memoirs’ in Melbourne. To finally have the record out, playing to a capacity audience with family and friends all present…and playing a great set!! It was the beginning of everything for us.”

In preparing for the future, Antiskeptic may or may not be listening to their favourite music such as The Refused, Foo Fighters and Jimmy Eat World but one thing is for sure, there WILL be a future for Antiskeptic. Sean has been learning the Cello, Nick has been experimenting with percussion and new drumming styles, and Andrew has been exploring programming, beats etc… then maybe a band like The Refused will not be on their CD players for a while. However, Sean reassures us that “we are going to compile all our new tricks and treats together with the rock sound we’ve already established and hopefully make something different and memorable. I feel like referring to the difference between Silverchair’s Freakshow and Neon Ballroom albums. Just to get the idea!”

Catch them here:

Thursday 5 August @ Prince Of Wales, Bunbury
Friday 6 August @ Heat Nightclub, Perth
Saturday 7 August @ Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
Sunday 8 August @ Fly By Night Club (Afternoon All Ages Show), Fremantle
Friday 13 August @ Yamba Golf Club, Yamba
Saturday 14 August @ The Rev (formerly The Chelsea), Brisbane
Sunday 15 August @ Lennox Point Hotel, Lennox Heads
Tuesday 17 August @ Plantation Hotel, Coffs Harbour
Wednesday 18 August @ Roxy’s Nightclub, Port Maquarie
Friday 20 August @ Bizzo’s, Carringbah
Saturday 21 August @ Annandale Hotel, Sydney
Sunday 22 August @ Cambridge Hotel (Afternoon All Ages & Evening 18+ Shows), Newcastle
Wednesday 25 August @ Lake Jindabyne Hotel, Jindabyne
Thursday 26 August @ Sodens Hotel, Albury
Friday 27 August @ Barwon Club, Geelong
Saturday 28 August @ Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne