When the names Nick Cave, The Clash, Tom Waites and The Flaming Lips come circlin' you can always colour this writer a little intrigued. Currently, all are sitting together in our latest playlist, a collection of tracks curated care of Tallebudgeran outfit The Shambolics. And for those curious about the group, the band's Graham Ashton is here to share a few of his thoughts.
Rabbit Radio: The Flaming Lips are interesting band. How did you first come to experience the Lips’ music?
Graham Ashton: My initial introduction came from listening to triple j in the early 2000’s. I was lucky enough to see them play a Sydney Big Day Out and it was awe inspiring. Truly one of the most inclusive live shows I’ve seen. RR: The Clash’s Sandinista is a polarising record! What is it about it that pulls you in? GA: The fearlessness. The Clash were the true essence of punk rock which had nothing to do with a sound but an attitude of fearlessness. Sandinista was the essence of this. RR: Nick Cave and Tom Waites are here to! Does their influence play into your own sound? GA: [Both are] huge influences on me. Initially it came down to my restrictions as a vocalist and then the idea that you can improve as a songwriter with age. Waits and Cave are creating music as challenging now as they did in their youth and that is incredibly inspiring to me. RR: RR: You’ve included one of your own tracks here, ‘A Life Thing’. And why not! Tell me a little about this one…. GA: ‘A Life Thing’ is our first single. Lyrically it was inspired by watching Fugazi program Rage and Ian Mackaye exclaiming that if music is going to be a life thing that it’s got to keep moving forward. RR: Is there anything you’d like to throw out there to the fans before we close off? GA: It would be great if we could give our next gig a plug.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |