Blues-rock band Smoke Stack Rhino will launch its debut EP at Cherry Bar on Saturday night. The EP launch represents the culmination of six months of hard work for the band. Forming in March 2013, the group has already achieved much in a short amount of time. Ben (Vocals, Keys) and Ash (Guitars, Vocals, Blues Harp) explain more.
You guys have all been in bands in the past, what was it that brought you all together and how did you come to be known as Smoke Stack Rhino?
Ash: Two years ago I was trying to reform my old band, Phonik, and I was looking for a singer. I found out that Ben, who I’d met at a gig a few months earlier, had left his old band and was keen to jam. He wasn’t too interested in singing for Phonik but suggested that we start a new blues project together. We started writing a lot of material in a kind of Buddy Guy meets Rage Against The Machine vibe. We recorded some demos under the name ‘The Wave’ and tried to find a rhythm section. Eventually things came together in March of this year when Jem and Shane joined the band. Jem and I were in Phonik together, and we found Shane after he saw our ad online. We decided to change the name. Ben originally suggested ‘Smoke Pepper Rhino’, which I really dug, but thought sounded a bit too ‘delicatessen’! In keeping with the bluesy theme, ‘Smoke Stack Rhino’ was suggested. The other day we got asked if this was some kind of drug reference, but it comes from the Howlin’ Wolf tune, Smokestack Lightnin’.
You’re on the cuff of releasing your debut EP, Riverside, talk us through the process of writing it.
Ash: Writing the EP was an interesting journey. Having already booked the studio, we were working to an eight-week deadline. We were also exploring the musical possibilities of playing together, deciding what direction we wanted to go in and more simply, getting to know each other. This meant that the writing process was quite random. Some songs came together very quickly, like the first single, ‘Outta Control’. Others, like ‘Till The Day’ – which is much more bluesy – took months to figure out. ‘Yours For The Night’ took a completely different direction halfway through after listening to Tame Impala’s ‘Elephant’. Really, I think the EP is best thought of as a snapshot of a band exploring the musical possibilities of putting together alternative, rock and blues styles. We’re stoked with the result.
We noticed you’ve tried out crowding sourcing site, Pledge Music. What has it been like? What’s the response been?
Ben: Using Pledge Music has been really interesting and I definitely think it’s a great way of bands being able to offer more to fans than just the typical CD release and live performances. We had already recorded so we thought we would try this new way of offering our EP on a pre-order along with merch and a few other unique offerings. So far, the response has been really great.
Have you been surprised and would you use crowd-funding again in the future
Ben: Being a really new band and putting out our first music, we had no idea what the reaction would be to the songs. So we weren’t sure how the crowd-funding would go with only a small fan-base and limited awareness about the band around Melbourne and Australia. However the reaction has been great and we have reached 66% of our target already in only 4 weeks. So we will definitely look at using the platform in the future for our next recording in 2014.
You made it over to Oakland studios to record the EP and worked with Beau McKee! What was it like working with him?
Ben: Ash and I had worked with Beau McKee before recording the demos in 2012 and the results were amazing, so Beau was our only choice when we decided to jump into the studio to record our first EP for Smoke Stack Rhino. Once again, we couldn’t be happier with the final product. Beau is also a talented musician so he understands and has experienced recording from the bands perspective, so I think that helps him be able to get the best performances out of everyone and give great input into different options that could be taken.
Did the songs develop or take a slightly different direction as you recorded?
Ben: We had the studio booked in while we were still finding members for the band so it was stressful having that deadline coming. At the same time, it gave us a great focus to put our heads down and write 5 tracks over the space of around 6-8 weeks before having to record. I was literally writing lyrics and melodies up until the morning of some of the recording days, and Ash was coming up with riffs and keyboard/organ pieces on the spot, which changed the feel and flow of the songs each day in the studio with new layers and rhythms being introduced into the mix. What Shane and Jem recorded was a great base and kept the structure there for the rest of the instruments to feed off.
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Ash: I’d like to pretend to the other guys that knew what I was doing with our studio time, but when recording things like the blues harp and synth parts, it was very much trial and error to see what worked and what didn’t.
You’re releasing at Cherry Bar on the 9th of November! What are you most looking forward to about the show and the release?
Ash: The rider! No in all seriousness, we’re really just looking forward to having a drink and enjoying the night after a lot of hard work. To be launching the EP at Cherry Bar is really cool as the Cherry guys are well-known for supporting live music and looking after their bands. So actually, yes, umm, the drinks rider!
What can we expect at the show and how much fun will we have?
Ash: We’ve planned the show for months and it’s going to be loads of fun. First up, we’ve got great support from our mates in The Ugly Kings and The Charge who are joining us for the night. Then we’re on stage for about an hour. As the EP was quite produced, we’ve got quite a bit of ground to cover, so you should expect to hear blues harp, two different vocals, baritone guitars, some five-string slap bass, Hammond organ and more. Jem and Shane have even written a drum and bass solo for the occasion. I’m personally keen to be putting our own take on a couple of classic blues and rock tunes. It should be a great night, we can’t wait to just enjoy the night and have a bit of a party. Or as they say in Chicago…a ‘Wang Dang Doodle’!
Smoke Stack Rhino’s EP Launch
Saturday November 9th @ Cherry Bar
Doors will open at 8:00pm.
The Charge will play at 9:00.
The Ugly Kings will play at 9:45.
Smoke Stack Rhino Swill play at 10:30.
Click attending on Facebook here.
