If you’ve even thought about Australian music over the last two decades, the chances are pretty good you’ve been exposed to some Butterfingers.
Having formed early in the ’00s by frontman Evil Eddie, the group quickly rose to fame thanks to their eclectic mix of hip-hop, rock, and punk, with singles like ‘Everytime’, ‘I Love Work’, and ‘Yo Mama’ managing to score constant airplay on triple j.
Following two albums, the group effectively went quiet at the end of the decade, with Evil Eddie focusing on SpitFireLiar and a solo career. However, 2017 brought with it some new singles, and following a few tours in support of new music (and the anniversary of their 2004 debut), Butterfingers announced a new album earlier this year.
Titled Bad News, it seems to come at a rather appropriate time, with the record dropping following some mass COVID-19 panic on March 30th. To celebrate its upcoming release (and accompanying tour), we had a chat with Evil Eddie to learn more about the group countless Aussies adore so much.
Check out ‘Dancing (To The Beat Of My Own Drum)’ by Butterfingers:
How did your artist name come about?
I could give you a whole list of implied meanings but it wasn’t really a logical process, to be honest, I just wrote a long list of names and Butterfingers was the only one that we could all agree on. In hindsight, it ended up fitting us very well with the phat/butter kind of references.
How would you describe your music to your grandma?
“You wouldn’t like it.”
Tell us about a few of your tracks; their titles and what they’re about?
If we’re talking about the new album then ‘Suburbia’ is about the reality of being a rock star/musician/performer hitting middle age. It’s hilariously depressing.
Love Hip Hop?
Get the latest Hip Hop news, features, updates and giveaways straight to your inbox Learn more
‘Black Cocaine’ is a love song dedicated to my favourite drug right now: coffee. ‘Eat A Bag of Dicks’ kind of speaks for itself.
Check out ‘Big Night Out’ by Butterfingers:
What do you love about your hometown?
What it lacks in edginess it makes up for with mild weather, people, and cost of living.
Career highlight so far?
This interview right now. Not even joking.
Fave non-music hobby?
B-grade film making.
What’s on your dream rider?
The actual beer that we ask for.
Dream music collaboration?
Ad-Rock, Josh Homme, Dr. Dre, Zack de la Rocha. Anyone from the ’90s basically.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Plugged into the Matrix.
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
‘In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida’ – Iron Butterfly [Editor’s Note: All 17 minutes, we hope!]
What’s on the cards for the future?
Trying to make myself as self sufficient as possible when it comes to music and video production so I can be a one stop multimedia machine. I don’t sleep anyway, so it should be cool.
Check out ‘Bullet To The Head’ by Butterfingers:
Butterfingers – The Bad News Tour
Thursday, April 16th
Mojo’s Bar, Fremantle, WA (18+)
Friday, April 20th
Badlands Bar, Perth, WA (18+)
Saturday, April 18th
Indian Ocean Hotel, Scarborough, WA (18+)
Sunday, April 19th
Prince of Wales Hotel, Bunbury, WA (18+)
Friday, April 24th
Mo’s Desert Clubhouse, Burleigh Heads, QLD (18+)
Saturday, April 25th
The Triffid, Newstead, QLD (18+)
Saturday, May 2nd
Nightquarter Sunshine Coast, Birtinya, QLD (18+)
Friday, May 8th
Altar, Hobart, TAS (18+)
Saturday, May 9th
Royal Oak Hotel, Launceston, TAS (18+)
Friday, May 15th
Howler Bar, Brunswick, VIC (18+)
Saturday, May 16th
Pelly Bar, Frankston, VIC (18+)
Thursday, May 21st
UC Hub, Bruce, ACT (18+)
Friday, May 22nd
The Lansdowne Hotel, Chippendale, NSW (18+)
Saturday, May 23rd
Cambridge Sideroom, Newcastle, NSW (18+)
Friday, May 29th
Shadows, Mt Gambier, SA (18+)
Saturday, May 30th
Crown and Anchor, Adelaide, SA (18+)
Friday, June 5th
Otherwise, Townsville, QLD (18+)
Saturday, June 6th
Gilligans Backpackers Hotel & Resort, Cairns, QLD (18+)
Tickets available from the Butterfingers website
