Riv on the Record – Zach Brady from Sargent Baker

THIS week I had the great pleasure of being joined by Zach Brady, lead singer of Torquay rock and roll band Sargent Baker. Spin it!

Tell us how you got into music. Where did it all start for you?

Dad played in bands when he was younger so there were always guitars laying around the house when I was growing up.

 

It wasn’t until 12 or so I took an interest to it and Dad started to teach me some chords – he’s been a massive influence on the music I listen to and play.

When did Sargent Baker come along?

It all started from a road trip to South Australia in 2021. Lachie and I had been jamming but hadn’t found a drummer, Rob tagged along on this road trip through a mutual friend and after a few drunken nights by the fire, we decided we should jam when we returned home. Usually those drunken ideas don’t come together but I’m very glad this one did.

 

 

As for the name, we had spent weeks trying to come up with something. After a practice one night we were sitting there flicking through old magazines trying to find something that jumped out. A sergeant baker fish is a pretty ugly looking red fish – jokingly, we said it looked like Rob; the rest is history.

Who are your biggest musical inspirations?

I think the underground Naarm/Melbourne punk scene has had a big influence as of late. Australia has so many great bands and I think we’re pretty lucky that it’s just an hour’s drive to the city to watch some really good live music.

The music we listen to changes so often, which reflects the constant change in the way we write songs.

Tell us about the new LP and where the inspiration came from.

Loose Ends was recorded live over a weekend in March at our practice space in Torquay.

Some of the songs on the record had been ones that we had been sitting on for a while and others come within the last week or so before recording. This was our first time recording with Yuji on drums and first full record with Rob on lead guitar, which has definitely given us more freedom in the way we write songs. A lot more riffs and overall grit. We’re proud of this one, for sure.

 

What’s the atmosphere like playing gigs and seeing your friends rocking out to your own tunes?

It’s a cool feeling for sure. It makes the countless hours spent behind the scenes all worth it.

We love playing shows, whether it be to 10 people or 100 especially playing alongside other friends’ bands.

What are your goals with music; where do you see it going?

No idea. We’re having fun just rolling with the punches at this stage, each year has thrown new opportunity at us, which keeps it exciting. I think a big goal for us is to play interstate next year.

RAPID RIV:

I’m coming over for dinner, what are you cooking? A Coles roast chook.

Pump up song? Renegades Of Funk – Rage Against the Machine.

Favourite movie? Good Will Hunting.

Best gig you’ve played? Supporting Spiderbait at Rip Curl Media Night.

$1 million, what do the band do with it? Build a studio in the Otways.