DO NOT apporve this article unless you’re me! (DP)
With this year’s WAMi Festival just around the corner, all the big movers and shakers in the music industry are getting ready to head to Perth later this month to check out what’s hot on the other side of the Nullarbor. FasterLouder catches up with some of WA’s hottest up-and-coming bands to get the lowdown.
Sean Pollard, New Rules for Boats
Where was were New Rules for Boats this time last year?
Gearing up for the 2006 AFL season.
Where will your band be this time next year?
Gearing up for the 2008 AFL season.
What’s been your highlight in WA music over the past year?
Probably watching Jeff Strong play about 10 nights in a row and not once getting bored.
What local release are you most looking forward to in 2007?
The Bank Holidays album!
Will you be seeing any other bands at this year’s WAMi Festival?
I would love to see some of the new bands like Mink Mussel Creek and also Sex Panther.
Who’s your tip to be the big winner at this year’s WAMis?
Pete Barr is a big winner.
New Rules for Boats play at the Two-room extravaganza at Amplifier and Capitol on February 23 with The Silents, Red Jezebel, Gyroscope and more. The four-piece are also nominated for the best indie/pop WAMi Award.
Benny Mayhem, Project Mayhem:
Where were Project Mayhem this time last year?
Re-igniting the fires of rock’n’roll. After a year’s break, the ball started rolling in August 2005 and has not stopped since. In January 2006 we had just done a bunch of xmas gigs, and were about to do some tour supports for some weird Floridians. A month later was the iconic Western Australian Turbonegro Tribute Night, where Ben threw up on himself on-stage mid-way through a dynamite set. A legend was re-born.
Where will Project Mayhem be this time next year?
Probably still having an exceptionally good time in Perth, Western Australia, although it would be really nice to get some touring under our belts. Preferably in Europe.
What’s been your highlight in WA music over the past year?
Project Mayhem finally coming into their own and being the band they always threatened to be. Sex Panther saying “jump” and the indie boys saying “how
high?”. The Python CD Launch. The fact that everyone has more money for booze and drugs than they used to. And the fact that we get to live the lifestyle every day! Woo!
What local release are you most looking forward to in 2007?
Project Mayhem No Rest for the Wicked. Seriously.
Will you be seeing any other bands at this year’s WAMi Festival?
Oh for sure. We’re gonna make sure we see the Zxspecky comeback at the big
Northbridge festival thing. They’ve just recorded a new album, but stopped playing over summer for some reason. Most of the other bands playing we get
to see all the time, but we’ll be following dudes like The Homicides around, for sure. Also we’ve got our tickets to the Bon Scott Tribute Show. What more is there to say? We asked to play, but they wouldn’t let us. We are easily as good as AC/DC, and just as popular, too.
Who’s your tip to be the big winner at this year’s WAMis?
The Flairz, The Sleepy Jackson, and Little Birdy. Who’s your daddy?
Project Mayhem play the Fever Fever three-room event at the Swan Hotel on February 22 with Melange, The Dee Dee Dums and many, many more.
Ian Berney, The Wednesday Society
Where were The Wednesday Society this time last year?
We were writing songs, and fighting over alpha male status, drinking excessively, and looking for a new drummer.
Where will The Wednesday Society be this time next year?
We’ll all have lucrative jobs, that we neglect because we are touring constantly.
What’s been your highlight in WA music over the past year?
In the Pines and Next Big Thing.
What local release are you most looking forward to in 2007?
Tengo Fuego and Mink Mussel Creek (hopefully).
Will you be seeing any other bands at this year’s WAMi Festival?
Snowman, Institut Polaire, Sugar Army
Who’s your tip to be the big winner at this year’s WAMis?
Snowman, Eskimo Joe and Schvendes.
The Wednesday Society play the Rosemount Hotel on February 17 with Snowman, The Autumn Isles and Felicity Groom.
Claire Clarke:
Where was Claire Clarke this time last year?
I had just performed live with my original music for the first time at the Rosemount! I was also in the studio recording my Alter Ego EP. It’s amazing what you can achieve in a year!
Where will Claire Clarke be this time next year?
On a beach in the Bahamas! Ha ha… In all seriousness, I would really like to travel overseas. I have just performed in front of 25,000 people at the Melbourne Midsumma Festival so I’m hoping my album will be released, receiving high rotation and racing up the ARIA charts; being invited to high profile festivals and events is where I would really like to be.
What’s been your highlight in WA music over the past year?
That Eskimo Joe have been recognised nationally for their phenomenal album, it’s an awesome inspiration! I also think it’s great that In the City is coming to Perth.
What local release are you most looking forward to in 2007?
I only turn 18 next month so I haven’t had the opportunity to mingle and see what all the Perth bands have to offer. I’m really looking forward to playing with a lot more bands and having a listen to their new stuff.
Will you be seeing any other bands at this year’s WAMi Festival?
Believe it or not I turn 18 the day before my WAMi gig! So I’ll definitely be celebrating that day and checking everyone out at the Saturday Spectacular after my performance at the Universal Bar. I have no doubt that everyone will be rockin’ and having a great time, so bring it on!
Who’s your tip to be the big winner at this year’s WAMis?
It’s got to be Eskimo Joe… if not, it’s a crying shame!
Claire Clarke plays at the Universal Stage at the WAMi Saturday Spectacular with Double Entendre, Stingray, Veeva Feeva and Bianca Jade on February 24.
