The Underhanded

You’ve seen, loved and listened to them play around Geelong for the past seven years, and as of last month they just released their debut EP Superpsycho. They really need no further introduction, so what follows is our chat with Ian from The Underhanded.
Thanks for taking the time out to chat to Forte, how are you and what are you up to at the moment?
We’re doing great, as I write this we’re about to demo a new track in our lounge in Coburg. Always up for a chat to forte.
It must be a pretty good feeling having your debut EP out for everyone to listen to. How long was that in the works for?
It was a good five years ago that we came to the conclusion that we should make an EP, and some of the tracks are from that time. That’s not to say we spent five years working on this EP, but certainly it was a long time coming. To have music out there that people can dig is great, and the response has been awesome.
You just launched the EP at the Barwon Club as well, where you’ve said you pretty much grew up in. Are there any memories of Barwon Club that really stand out for you?
Ah yes, the BC is certainly like our home turf, we’ve played there so many times. Best memory was probably River Rocks this year, especially rocking out to Tumbleweed with mates from all the other bands, there was something special in the air that night. The worst, would have been playing with a band from Germany, and not a single punter turned up – there was literally a cricket in the corner of the room.
The artwork on Superpsycho is pretty amazing too, who was responsible for that?
That is the fine work of the legendary Glenn Pierce, a man who’s dark imagery graces the covers of some old Bored! and Splatterheads records. I met him at the Powder Monkeys show at the Tote and he was super friendly. He’s been so supportive, just sending us rad artworks to use for free. Glenn, you rock!
I saw too that you’ve even been blogged in Sweden, that must be pretty awesome knowing that people on the other side of the world are listening to your songs?
Yeah, its great. The internet really makes the world your oyster. It’s kinda cool that we started checking Swedish bands like Truckfighters and Witchcraft on blogs a few years ago, and now it’s going the other way. Sweden, we’ll tour in exchange for your secrets of the Fuzz order.
I guess lastly, things are still pretty fresh for you guys, but what can we expect of The Underhanded for the new year?
Putting out our first release will really open some doors for us, so there are many plans for the next year. There’s a tour on the cards for the first half of the year, hopefully with our NZ bro’s Stone The Crows – already been colluding with Al (Barwon Club) about the Geetroit stop. There will also definitely be another release next year.
Thanks again for chatting with us, anything you’d like to add before we finish up?
Well, I’d like to thank Geelong for all its support over the nearly seven years we’ve been playing together, and we really look forward to seeing the other bands to come out of the bubbling cauldron of rock’n’roll that is Geelong.
When&Where: The Barwon Club, Geelong – December 20
Release: Superpsycho available from bandcamp now.