Bloods is MC, Dirk and Sweetie: three friends who make music together and share a sibling-like bond. We’ve been playing music together as Bloods for two years, going from not knowing how to play our chosen instruments to releasing a slew of singles and now, finally, their debut six-track EP Golden Fang. We’re currently touring that EP and enjoying every minute of finally having a body of work out in the world.
We caught up with MC to chat all things Bloods, touring and why you should miss them live!
What or who inspired you Bloods to become a band and write music together?
We all use to play in a band together and when that broke up, we didn’t want o stop playing together so we formed Bloods. I guess we were inspired by not wanting to give up playing and being in a band together. In the early days, a lot of the songs were very much inspired by bands like The Ramones and The Shangrilas as well as a lot of skater punk like early Beastie Boys and DFL. Now it’s kinda become it’s own thing, which I guess is thanks to the fact we had to teach ourselves to play our instruments for the purpose of being in Bloods.
You’ve just signed a deal with Shock and will be releasing your debut Golden Fang EP on the 16th August, stylistically how would you describe the EP to people who hadn’t heard your music?
I would describe it as ‘a good time’. It’s probably fair to say it’s a bit of a mash of garage, punk and pop. It’s music for you to sing along to, but also a lot of the lyrics are pretty cathartic and easy to relate to. It also showcases a bunch of different punk styles and influences that have made their way into our sound.
Your latest film clip for ‘Into My Arms’ was shot all around Sydney, exactly how many locations was it shot in and how long did it take to edit altogether?
Love The Beatles?
Get the latest The Beatles news, features, updates and giveaways straight to your inbox Learn more
I think all up it was about eight or nine locations. We actually shot and edited the whole thing in two evenings and our mate Gus edited it in the following two nights. It was super quick and all done on a budget of ZERO dollars. Well, we bought Gus some Indian food one night, so let’s say it cost us about $11 all up.
What’s been your favourite Bloods show to date?
Definitely our Sydney EP launch a couple of weeks ago. It was such an amazing night, we were totally on a high for the whole next week. It was our first real headline show and the first time we’ve ever sold out a venue. We didn’t expect that at all and the vibe was awesome! It was also the same day that Golden Fang came out, so I guess moral was in the sky, as they say.
What records have you stolen from your parent’s record collection and why?
Michael Jackson Off The Wall, Bob Dylan The Freewheelin’ and The Beatles Help! My parents emigrated from Central America and these were the first English language albums I ever listened to. I use to sit there and play them back-to-back for hours. I learned how to use a record player to these albums so they hold a very dear place in my heart!
What’s on heavy rotation on your iPod right now?
Lots of Beck and Beastie Boys, Beirut, The Breeders, Beyonce, Black Sabbath, Springsteen – and that’s just the Bs! The newest thing I’ve put on my iPod is probably Mac Demarco. The first thing I put on my iPod was every Sleater Kinney album ever released.
If you could curate your own festival, where would it be, who would be on the bill, how many people would you let in and what features would it have?
Oh I was just talking about this the other day! I think the festival would have to be somewhere nostalgic to Sydney’s best musical memories so let’s re-open the RAS Showgrounds in Sydney. I reckon we’d give 5,000 people the chance to come along to see a bunch of bands including Beastie Boys, Sleater Kinney, Iggy and the Stooges doing The Stooges in its entirety, Weezer doing Pinkerton, DFA1979, Cypress Hill doing Black Friday, Magic Dirk, The Gossip, Wavves, Devo, Elliot Smith, Tribe Called Quest, Modest Mouse, Bikini Kill, Mac Demarco, My Morning Jacket, Lauren Hill, Richie Valance, NOFX, The Ramones and Sabbath (Ozyy, not Dio).
There would have to be a lot of amazing food, pizza by Gigi’s, empanadas and definitely a Gelato Messina stall.
Sweetie would probably want there to be some kind of Ken Done workshop, run by the man himself and Dirk would definitely be keen for some kind of Virtual Reality gaming situation.
Because it’s more fun to do things together, which living Australian artist would you most like to collaborate with?
Would have to be Daniel Johns. Dirk and I are massive Silverchair fans from when we were kids (I remember pre-ordering Frogstomp at Brashes), so it would be a ridiculous trip to work with him.
What is your band’s music the best soundtrack for?
Singing into your hairbrush or throwing tantrums.
Tell us why we shouldn’t miss you on your upcoming Golden Fang Tour.
Because there’s every chance you might meet the girl/boy of your dreams at our show. What’s the point of sitting at home feeling sorry for yourself?
The only way to have a meaningful life is to make a connection with others, and there ill be lots of others at our shows. Now, go buy a ticket before you end up lost and lonely!
Bloods Tour Dates 2013
Friday August 16 – Brighton Up Bar, Sydney
Saturday August 17 – Terrace Bar, Newcastle
Friday August 23 – Cats, Rocket Bar, Adelaide
Friday August 30 – Workers Club, Melbourne
Saturday September 14 – The Loft, Gold Coast
Wednesday September 11 – Big Sound, Electric Playground, Brisbane
Golden Fang is out now through Shock Records.
Watch ‘Into My Arms’ here:
