My name is Craig Westwood. I’ve been actively writing, recording and performing since 1989 and despite the fact that I’ve pretty much been working day jobs for the entire duration of my quasi musical career I’ve still managed to be a part of some reasonable Australian bands (Christbait, Dern Rutlidge and Budd etc). When I am not brewing beer for a living I’ve been known to involve myself with some other bands/projects such as Sealfinger, Youngbreeder, The Ruiner as well as being a solo artist. I’m not what you would call a popular, successful or acclaimed but I’ve somehow manage to not take the hint and give this “music” game away altogether.
Tell us about the members of Dern Rutlidge and how you all came to be working with each other on this project outside of your other bands.
Dern basically formed around 1996 from the ashes of Christbait, a band Jason Miszewski and I formed back in 1989. We were good friends with Jason PC of Blood Duster and Callan O’Hara of Drool and all seemed to be operating on the same page musically speaking. It was also a move into a slightly different direction from our metal roots. Now leaping time travel like to the present day there was no plan to reform Dern at all until James Young approached us for his festival. A little coaxing and shazam, here we are!
Dern Rutlidge sounds like somebodies name, is it?
Correct… It was a combination of 2 surnames of a couple of characters from a Jack Daniels TV advert back in the 90’s. Billy Dern and Wilburn Rutlidge were portrayed in the advert as 2 guys who did nothing else but sit at the distillery all day long watching the barrels of whiskey age. Seemed like the dream job to us and kind of fitted into the concept of what we were trying to be.
It’s been six years since you’ve all shared the stage at Dern Rutlidge, will the punters at Cherry Bar be hearing any new tracks?
Nothing new will be added. This will pretty much be only songs from our EP “High as the sun” 1998 to “Johnny No Stars” 2000. Admittedly trying to get everyone together in the same place at the same time has been a big task akin to herding cats. Time to work on new material was never going to be an option unfortunately.
You must answer this question honestly. What and where was the first gig you went to?
First real gig I went to was Taramus at the Vic hotel in Brunswick. I think I was only 16 at the time.
What’s on heavy rotation on your iPod/Spotify/Record player right now?
Nick Lowe’s “The Impossible Bird” and “Dig My Mood” has been getting a decent flogging on my turn table this past year.
Do you have any particular ritual before you go on stage, or even a lucky charm you take with you?
Moderate my drinking until after the show…does not always go to plan.
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?
Mmmm kinda overwhelming prospect?! I’m not a big fan of outdoor events or festival shows. They become a bit of a circus and a little hard to digest depending on how many acts are on the bill. Somewhere that you’d be guaranteed top quality beer and food. 1000 to 2000 people max. Performers on the bill I’d like to see, Frank Black and The Catholics, Voivod, Nick Lowe, Mark Lanegan, Public Enemy, Melvins, Neil Young, Sabbath, The Breeders …..Basically anyone alive who features in my record collection.
When you’re Rolling Stones Big, what are you going to request on your rider: don’t be shy. We want specifics!
Fresh Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Tordeo on draft.
Home made southern style fried chicken.
Everyone paying to get into the show will be given a fried chicken meal and a pint of fresh ale laced with DMT on entry.
The Screaming jets would be made to load in and load out all equipment and not permitted to talk to anyone. All attempts of communication by them had to be submitted in the format of interpretative dance. They are not to be given any chicken or ale.
If you could put together a supergroup (besides Dern) who would be in it and why?
I’ve been fortunate to have played music and make records with good people…. I’d love to work with many more….Tom Lyngcoln (Nation Blue/Harmony), Link Meanie, Dav Byrne (Agonhym), Any of the Grey Datura folk ….I’m sure there a many more that I can’t think of right now.
Any plans for the members of Dern Rutlidge (together or separately) in 2013?
Dern together again…unlikely.
Christbait reunion was also a consideration for some time but now unlikely.
Jason PC and myself are currently in a band called “The Ruiner” along with Adam Stokes(Legends of motorsport/Pillow), Ben Stokes(Pillow) and Jason V(Christbait/Dread). We plan on recording and performing in 2013.
I also wouldn’t mind pulling my finger out and getting another solo album done.
Catch Dern Rutlidge at Cherry Bar Saturday 1st December – cherrybar.com.au
