The Untitled Interview #197: Starring The Golden Awesome
Currently working on new sounds, the four noisemakers sat down and had at the Untitled Interview. Very democratically, I might add. Read on to see what gets these Southern Hemispherians ticking, from the record stores of New Zealand to Brian May to that bridge in San Francisco (and be sure to check out the links for some video action). And then go listen to their music. The louder the better!
Fuzzy Logic: How the hell are you?
Stef Animal: Awesome.
FL: What was the last song you listened to?
Justin Barr: "Up the Beach," by Jane's Addiction. Don't ask.
FL: Playing music is:
Jo Contag: So engaging yet so intangible, so expressive yet so solitary, so therapeutic yet so mind-bending. Generally so-so.
FL: What album most made you realize you wanted to make music?
Matt Steindl: Brian May's guitar solo in the song "Invisible Man" by Queen. I was 11 years old and I'd received a copy of Miracle in the mail from World Music Club. When I listened to it on my walkman that night I thought it was the coolest sound in the world.
Not long after that I heard Vernon Reid's solo in Living Colour's "Cult of Personality" and that really was the coolest sound in the world.
FL: Beatles or Stones?
SA: Beatles.
FL: Top 5 albums (of now, of this month, or of ever):
JB: Currently, but subject to change (and in no particular order):
Torch of the Mystics - Sun City Girls
Zen Arcade - Husker Du
Reign in Blood - Slayer
Off - The Aesthetics
Little Things - The Terminals
FL: Favorite music-related movie?
JC: So many to choose from...I don’t much like music movies that take themselves too seriously. “Full Metal Village” really is worth a view, it’s a documentary of this small village in northern Germany where some misfits started holding a heavy metal festival and then over the years it got incredibly huge. The villagers are roped in to do security etc., the local fire brigade brass band closes the festival. Hilarious to see young goth metallers sauntering past farmers and cows...
FL: Half-full or half-empty?
MS: Flempty.
FL: Which of your peers do you think is making the best music these days?
SA: Justin.
FL: What’s the first thing you think when you wake up in the morning?
JB: I need to pee.
FL: Little-known Golden Awesome fact?
JC: At our first-ever gig, we thought we’d make true on this grand idea to be the loudest band in town and played hellishly loud through big amplifiers and a crappy vocal PA. The entire audience left the building and watched us through the windows, and we got threatening “stop” gestures from the bar staff. We thought it was a disaster but it turned out everybody totally loved it from the safe distance of the footpath. Or so they said.
FL: The greatest record store in the world is:
MS: Indubitably Slowboat Records in Wellington.
FL: Shaken or stirred?
SA: Shtirred.
FL: Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
JB: Use toilet paper for ear protection (thanks, Jo).
FL: Which of these goldens is most awesome and why: Golden Girls, the Golden Gate Bridge, or Golden Retrievers?
JC: The Golden Gate Bridge because it’s red. Plus it sounds like a Chinese takeaways.
FL: If you weren’t in a band you’d be:
MS: Probably a librarian or some shit.
FL: What’s your favorite spot in all of New Zealand and how come?
JB: Pipikaretu Beach, on the Otago Peninsula. It's pretty difficult to get to, so there usually isn't anyone there except a few surfers. An amazing array of wildlife, nice beach, and freezing cold water to swim in.
FL: If you were so inclined, whom would you form a tribute band in honor of?
JB: I am so inclined, as it happens. Jo and I played the songs of Jaques Brel in a band for a few years. Great fun.
FL: Best song ever written?
JC: There can only be one: "Africa!" Closely followed by...
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