City Vs Country, are set to release the band’s first EP Don’t Over Think it on October 26th at Melbourne’s iconic Cherry Bar, on the heels of a successful single release titled Hookers and Philosophy at the Toff in Town on September 29th
Crafting their own brand of ‘alt-country’, the seven-piece have been coined as the love-child of a Springsteen, Cash and Dropkick Murphy’s ménage, on the set of a spaghetti western at a small-town football club.
Suffering from debilitating insomnia, the music and lyrics for City Vs Country’s songs are the sweat and tears of front man Merv Galer, who without any musical training translates his vision to a patient and dedicated band.
Firstly, congratulations on your recent signing with Mushroom; what were the celebrations like after the pen went to paper (and lifted back off the paper again)?
The celebrations on my behalf we’re minimal as I was extremely sick with the flu when my pen lifted off the paper (Sick with the flu for the 5th time this year! Who gets the flu five times in one year?! Madness I tells ya)! So yes, it was profoundly unglamorous on my part as I celebrated the signing by downing some more cold and flu tablets and going to bed. Rock n roll eh…
What’s your earliest memory of performing and who inspired you to start?
My earliest memory of performing was at high school. It was a truly awful, embarrassing affair at a so-called Talent Quest. I had a moment of cliché rock rebellion by singing (?) an uncensored version of “Killing In The Name of”. I believe someone else backstage convinced our co-ordinator that I was actually saying “Duck you, I won’t do what you tell me”. Lame…
I don’t really know who inspired me to start. It would have been Freddie Mercury or Kurt Cobain I guess. I think my real reason to start was like every other teenagers… to impress women…. It didn’t work then…it doesn’t work now.
What and where was the first gig you went to?
My first gig was Everclear at festival hall in 98. We had an opportunity to play with them as they finally returned to our shores recently. But it fell through…shame really as that would have been nicely poetic.
What is your most cherished CD/record?
It would probably be A Day At The Races by Queen. Queen were the band that made me realise I enjoy music. They are still my favourite band today. In fact I’m rather pathetically drinking from a Freddie Mercury mug as we speak.
If you had to choose where to live, would it be City or County?
I am on the City side of the debate. I need to be close to the Aquarium at all times. And all my stuff is here (In the city that is…not at the aquarium).
Can you give us a run-down on how the track title “Please Don’t Talk To Me (I’m Fucking Wasted)” came about?
It came from my love of talking to taxi drivers. I love any conversation where the other person can’t escape. But unfortunately, the time I need a taxi most is when I’m off my face at 5 in the morning and I’m in no fit state for polite conversation. The song details my struggle with politeness in extreme drunken situations.
Who in the band has the worst habit?
It would be me. In fact I have two bad habits. One is I can’t stop lying in interviews. And 2 is I have to constantly cut rehearsal short to feed my pet Snow Leopard, La Fontaine. He gets fussy when he hears loud noises.
What is the best part about live music in Melbourne?
Just the fact that it exists really. We have so much of it in Melbourne that it’s easy to take it for granted. So just getting out there and seeing a show with ease is the best part. Your next favourite band is only a drunken stumble away in Melbourne.
If you could choose one movie star to feature in one of your film clips, who would it be and what would they be doing?
Steve Tobolowsky. Look him up. He’s been in every film in the history of the world and I would like to be, in some small way, a part of that history. I’d probably just have him sitting there doing something minimal. Maybe just eating a pot noodle. He wouldn’t have to do much…just the fact that he’s in it would be enough.
Having enough members to form a volleyball team, have you ever considered it?
Ha! In absolute all honesty I think we did have a brief conversation about this. And now the more I think about it, the more I’m into the idea. We could become champions! We will be the terrors of the court. Cower at the might of our sets and spikes! Challenge us if you dare…. WE ARE CVC!! KINGS OF VOLLEYBALL!!! MWAH HA HA HA HA
What have you guys got planned for the summer ahead?
Volleyball training. I talk a big game. You gotta back that shit up y’know.
Actually I’m sure the band has plenty of shows coming up but all I can think about is donning the Hawaiian shirt and getting the banjo out next to a body of water of some kind. That’s how you do summer right.
What can we expect from your EP launch at Cherry Bar later this month?
Entertainment. That’s what live music is all about.
Catch City Vs Country At Cherry Bar on Friday 26 October
