As a group that refers to themselves as ‘Australia’s least popular, relatively well-known band’ and having a history ‘littered with critically acclaimed releases, critically acclaimed shows, and a critically acclaimed lack of attention to what is needed to be successful in the music industry’ – you know these Sydney guys don’t take themselves too seriously. We chat to the guys in the lead up to their performance at Melbourne’s Fuzz Fest later this month.
Hey guys, thanks for chatting to Forte. How are you and what have you been up to recently?
I think I may speak for the whole band, in answering your first question – “how are you?” by saying we are old and tired. And tired and old. What we have been up to recently will be entirely dependent upon the recent experience of each individual band member. Personally, I spent some time in hospital last week and have spent most of the rest of the week on the couch with some very good drugs. So it’s not all bad.
So Front End Loader was formed in 1991, do you think you have changed much since forming the band in terms of both sound and dynamics?
Yes. In 1991 I was 19 years old. Now I’m 44. If I hadn’t learned something and/or changed something by now then I should probably just end it now. In terms of sound and dynamics, this band is better than it’s ever been. All of us are old and tired and cranky and 100% committed to maintaining this vehicle we have for self expression. The songs are simpler. The delivery is nastier. There’s a real hard-won mutual respect for each other. Doesn’t happen overnight.
What’s the best part about performing live to an audience or crowd of people?
Immediacy. Interaction. Danger. Madness and Death.
There was a bit of controversy surrounding that ARIA award incident in 2012. Has anything changed on that one, what would you guys do if you were nominated again?
I don’t really see why there’s any controversy. We were nominated for an award. Which was pretty funny to begin with. Being us, we laughed it off and didn’t think much more about it. Our lovely womenfolk then said to us “come on, stop being such cranky old pricks. Let’s get frocked up and walk the red carpet and have some fun.” So we said ok, so we emailed ARIA and asked how many tickets we get, and I was told that all tickets are $495 each and normally your label pays for that. At which point we said fuck that and asked Lindsay to read the speech in the case we won. Which we did.
That same year, you guys had your own beer brewed – Fresh Six. Any more beers in the pipeline? Can you still get it?
The Fresh Six has, I believe, been made three times. Sells out very quickly. The thing about Young Henry’s (the brewery we made the beer with) is that they are all about freshness and quality ingredients and sustainability. So if you got a Fresh Six, congratulations. If not, stay tuned.
So you are headlining Fuzz Fest this year, how are you feeling about that?
WE ARE HEAPS FULLY SIKARSE PUMPED FOR IT LIKE MAD CUNTS, BITCHES, don’t you worry about that.
Have you ever performed at Fuzz Fest before, or will this be your first time?
We have not, this will be our first time. I am suitably nervous and also a little flattered and I might be a bit horny.
So you have already released multiple albums and singles, will you be playing all these previous releases or some new material at Fuzz Fest?
We are pretty keen to play all our new stuff. That’s what is keeping us interested. Hopefully folks will like it, but we won’t be too upset if they don’t. We’ll also play some older work. Because we like playing Melbs. And we like the Cherry Bar. And we like rock music. So it should go ok.
Thanks for chatting guys. Any last words?
I told you I was ill.
When & Where: Fuzz Fest 2017, Cherry Bar – September 22 – 23. Tickets available via the venue.