Here we are, approaching the end of 2012 – the year which many believe that would be our last days of inhabiting the world as we know it. Judgement day has passed us by and we have once again found ourselves focussing more on ourselves than others. Wealth, recognition, beauty, popularity – all things which human beings may think will bring happiness, forgetting some of the simpler things in life, love, laughter, nature, trust. I’ve just spent a few hours self promoting and scratching my head trying not to give dumb answers for the following questions and now I have to write “just a couple of hundred of words at most” introducing myself and telling you what we’ve got going on. Honestly, if you come across some tunes on off our EP or find yourself at one of our shows, I hope you enjoy the experience.
The Demon Parade have been kicking around for about three years now, has it always been the same line up? Tell us a bit about your current line up
It’s been a long three years, in fact I think it’s climbing up towards four and even five years if you count when I first had the vision for what set out to create. There’s been a couple of people pass through, it’s not uncommon to lose ambitious people to extended overseas trips etc etc. Currently we’ve got Rob Bryers on bass who I formed the band with way back, Troy Ramaekers on drums and the lovely O Koppes on guitar.
Your EP Chameleon’ is due for release November 2nd. When, in what studio and whom did you make the EP with?
I recorded and produced the EP myself, it was done over the last 18 months or so. I’ve got my own studio which I work out of everyday so it’s a great thing having those facilities at your disposal whether you’re getting ideas down or making a record. We also recorded the drums on four of the 6 tracks at Hot House Studio’s in St Kilda. Jez and Craig at Hot House have their tones down and are really switched on to what we’re doing so it’s good to be able to not worry about positioning of microphones and just focus on getting some great takes down. We also sent four of the tracks to Tony Lash for mixing in Portland, Oregon. Tony is one of my favourite producers earning is producer and mixing credits on the first two Dandy Warhols albums as well as my favourite Even album, Come Again. It was good to be able to send these tracks to fresh ears. Even though mixing in the studio is something I do everyday, you can really lose a lot of perspective when you’re working on your own stuff. For the mastering process we went with David Briggs here in North Melbourne. He was once in the Little River Band and wrote some of their biggest hits, so it was good to have someone working on the tunes that obviously has a great ear for what a pop song needs and his experience and knowledge is is invaluable.
Your EP artwork is amazing; did you guys design it yourselves? Tell us a little bit about the inception of it
No, it was created by Melbourne design artist Michael Cusack. He has been looking after all our posters and artwork. We basically just sent the songs over to Michael and he came up with the whole package. I’m sure if we put our heads together we could come up with a bunch of ideas and try to translate it to an artist but I like the idea of an artist hearing our music for the first time and creating something of their choice.
Independent bands and labels seem to be on the uprise, is staying independent import to the members The Demon Parade?
I think whether you’re independent or not, it’s just important to have people around you who truly believe in what you’re creating. I have been in a group in the past signed to a major label and they wanted us to be something we didn’t want to be, so it went pear shaped. For developing artists I think it’s good to have complete creative control so you can spend time working out where you want to go with your talents and have the freedom to try different things without pressure from people in suits.
What’s your earliest memory of performing and who inspired you to start?
My parents are musicians so there was no escaping. They often rehearsed with their bands in our lounge room so I would sit in and watch and during the breaks I’d jump on whatever instrument was free. I actually started out as a drummer, playing in jazz groups, orchestras and various rock bands but I was lucky enough to see the Rolling Stones in 1995 at the MCG on their Voodoo Lounge tour. I was probably the youngest person in the crowd but after seeing the show I was really inspired by Keith and Ronnie’s duelling guitars which I probably put down to the biggest inspiration for me on guitar.
You must answer this question honestly. What was the first piece of music you purchased with your own money?
It was a cassette single – Jukebox In Siberia by Skyhooks. It came on in a venue we were playing at in Sydney last week and reminded me how greater singer Shirley Strachan was. I’ve still got the cassette in my bedside table.
What are the top five albums you’re listening to on your ipod right now?
Free – Free
Humble Pie – King Biscuit Flower Hour
Lobby Loyde – Obsecration
The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses
Tyrnaround – Go Back
How do you seek out new music, online or maybe through a record store?
I don’t really go looking for new music. Very occasionally I’ll hear something good on the radio which I’ll go and look up but most of the time it’s recommendations from mates. I do find that working in a recording studio can put you off listening to music in your spare time. But I don’t mind that as it means I’m not so influenced by current genres and what’s on the radio.
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 ?
I’d have The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Verve, The Stone Roses, Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Church, Tyrnaround, Painters & Dockers, You Am I, Cancer Bats, Stray Cats, The Faces & Kula Shaker. The Forum in Melbourne is my favourite venue to watch bands so quite naturally that would be my first choice.
Because it’s more fun to do things together, which living Australian artist would you most like to collaborate with? Tell us why?
Gurrumul is the most interesting Australian artist I’ve heard. His music is so real and pure so I would love to one day work with him.
Where we can see you play next, what releases do you have available and where can we get them?
We’re launching our second EP “Chameleon” Friday 2 November at Ding Dong Lounge. It’s available on CD and digital format on Band Camp and also through iTunes.
After that we’ll be doing a bunch of dates around the country so check www.thedemonparade.com for more info.
