For a number of years now, Brisbane’s Bugs have been dishing out fuzzy, punk-infused indie-rock numbers to dedicated fans, turning them into a firm favourite in no time.
If you’re not familiar with Bugs yet, then you might have heard the earworm that was ‘Seriously’ last year. A catchy track that showed exactly why they’re one of the most exciting bands on the scene, and one of the most energetic acts on the live stage, the group are already on track for another amazing year.
Releasing their latest track, ‘Can’t Get Enough’, earlier this month, Bugs are once again proving that the future of Aussie rock is in safe hands.
“When I first started writing the song, it was specifically about attention in an intimate context – aka SEX – but as it evolved I felt like it better suited a broader representation of greed in modern society,” explained frontman Connor Brooker of the track. “So it’s about the cycle of how our entitlement feeds our addiction, leading us in the pursuit of an unattainable goal or horizon.
“If you’re searching for something better, that implies you don’t appreciate the things that you have. Maybe the grass looks greener on the other side because you haven’t watered your yard..? I guess I just wished people were more mindful of their vices, and how they affect their choices, myself included.”
To find out more about this beloved outfit, we had a chat with Connor to learn a little more about the exciting collective that is Bugs.
Check out ‘Can’t Get Enough’ by Bugs:
How did your artist name come about?
When I first started out making Bugs stuff it was just as an outlet for my other main band, Pro Vita. I’d just moved from the coast where we all lived to Brisbane and was sitting in my room tracking fuzzy demos but kept getting distracted by little moths and critters smacking into my laptop screen.
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We lived in a dodgy uni Queenslander sharehouse with no fly screens, so I guess I just picked that for the time being and it stuck.
How would you describe your music to your grandma?
Fun, guitar-based music that’s meant to make people happy? I don’t think I’d go to heavy on genre specifics, I’d more try and explain it in a way that makes sense to them, I guess. A lot of people value and enjoy music in different ways and in varying capacities. I don’t expect everyone to understand or like it, quite the contrary.
Tell us about a few of your tracks; their titles and what they’re about?
Our new song is called ‘Can’t Get Enough’, it’s all about entitlement and greed. Addiction leading to over indulgence, that kind of thing. We have lots of songs so I don’t really know what else to pick. They vary about a broad scope of topics.
‘Glue’ is a song about feeling stuck in your place while peers are excelling around you. ‘Sweetener’ is about falling in love with a summer fling.
What do you love about your hometown?
Not heaps haha, the beach is really lovely and all the natural topography / environment is gorgeous. I also have some great friends who live up there and are incredible people. My sisters family also resides back there. Aside from those things, their are a landslide more reasons I left but that’s not what the question is about so I’ll leave it at that.
Career highlight so far?
Nothing specifically, the entire journey is an evolving process and I consistently re-asses what it means to me. I don’t think it’s necessarily fair or helpful to compare ‘moments’ or ‘experiences’ and categorise them as ‘better’ than one another.
I am lucky to have experienced all I have within this music industry thus far and look back on some of the hardest days as the most defining and beneficial. Nothing stands out because everything does in a way, that might read as convoluted but if you think long enough, it should make sense.
Check out ‘Glue’ by Bugs:
Fave non-music hobby?
Too many! I love plants but that’s not a hobby, more an interest. I enjoy building things and working on projects. Woodwork is very satisfying, unlike writing or recording a song their is a very clear start and end point – thus you can validate a sense of achievement and self satisfaction with much greater ease.
Writing a song has the potential to never end, building a shelf does. When you spend so much time chasing seemingly unattainable goals it just feels nice to get something done. I think for musicians and their emotional sustainability it is vital.
What’s on your dream rider?
Dream music collaboration?
That’s a good question! I’d love to work with Max Martin on some pop stuff. He has produced a swathe of Billboard number ones over the last 20 years, from Backstreet Boys to Taylor Swift. Seriously, look up the list of songs he has worked on and it will give you an eye opening perspective of the things one person can achieve. I have so much respect for him being at the top of the game for so long.
In terms of writing, I’d love to spend some time with Pat from the Sleepyheads, Max Quinn, Jared Grimm, Cahli Blakers, Timi Temple – so, so, so many amazing musicians around the country I would love to work with. I’m going to try and twist Mazs’ arm and get her singing on a song on the next record.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I don’t look that far ahead, it isn’t helpful for me to plan too far in advance due to the varied and opportunistic nature of living a band lifestyle.
Hopefully just healthy, happy, making music and taking care of my family. That’s all that really matters to me, the rest will take care of itself and is open to a lot of variables in the meantime.
I just look at what I can control and practically work towards and trust in the process of the bigger picture taking care of itself.
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
‘Since U Been Gone’ by Kelly Clarkson. Guess who produced it???
Check out ‘Sweetener’ by Bugs:
