It's limited, there's not many venues and subsequently less decent international bands come through.. however,the Isolation of NZ can be positive, in that bands don't form in nz to get big or what have you, as there's just no industry for music there. So bands just form for the fun of playing and creating. There's been a lot of amazing bands come from there. Groups like the clean etc seem well known off shore, but there's tonnes of others you'll never hear of unfortunately
What's the dynamic between Australian and New Zealand Bands?
Australian bands are a lot more professional, generally they own better gear, have better haircuts and stay in hotels even from their first tour ;) nz bands are generally just better.
Do you know any of those people who moved to New Zealand from that rapey and terrible pirate haven Pitcairn (the mutiny on the bounty island)?
No unfortunately
I read that the band wanted to use the band as a platform to travel, where is the most amazing place you've visited?
Iceland was great I never thought I'd get the chance to play music there..or Tokyo Japan. We're going to Russia later this year, I'm really looking forward to that
What was it like working with Bernard Butler? Did he spill the beans on any of britpop' dirty secrets?
He's great, has an eye for detail and owns a lot of nice guitars. I think we went a little over board with the strings and synths in some songs, but generally I thought it turned out ok
What's going on with your drummer Brent Harris? Has he gone deaf? Is he going to pull a Beethoven?
I hope he returns, he's been losing hearing for a while now, yet he's only 22. At 19 he had hearing aids and his hearing has rapidly declined since then. He's taking a year off loud music to see how that effects his impairment. Its awful cos he's one of the most talented musicians I've met.
You're a big fan of Dischord and DC punk... if you could have one of your heroes from this era come to your show, who would it be and what would you want to ask him?
I would be too embarrassed to play if anyone like that showed up! What could I possibly say to Ian mackaye?I'd love to make a record with guy picciotti so perhaps I'd talk about that with him?. Ha
God loves a cheerful giver.
Really looking forward to seeing them tonight? Is it sold out?
cannot be stopped was also there - absolutely amazing.