THIS week we chat with bass playing ace and lead singer of the new phenomenal breakout Bendigo Ozpunk outfit Relays, who\u2019ll be gracing the stage at tomorrow’s Gold Rock 2 Festival at Handle Bar from 7pm.<\/p>\n
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What motivated you to become a musician?<\/strong><\/p>\n My old man\u2019s a muso and that was always a big part of his life, so I was indoctrinated into the scene from birth.<\/p>\n I originally wanted to be a mechanic because I liked throwing spanners at fences but never had an excuse to do it. That fell through after I learnt you\u2019ll get paid less than a fast food employee for the first four years. So I decided to work dead-end jobs here and there, and during this time my passion for music was growing and growing.<\/p>\n I ended up getting my dad\u2019s hand-me-down bass at about age 15 and getting into actual music and not what the radio played.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n How would you describe your style?<\/strong><\/p>\n I would say the DSM-5 would offer many explanations into my style and the development of it. I would even go as far to say it\u2019s the missing link between Neanderthals banging rocks and sticks off each other\u2019s heads in a rhythmic form, as they were known to do, and Cosmic Psychos. Somewhere in there, is me.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Which other musicians inspire you?<\/strong><\/p>\n TISM is a band I thoroughly enjoy. The theatrics of their gigs gave me an idea of what to do, when before that I was left cold and in the dark.<\/p>\n Steve Wilson from Dead Kennedys was a bigger one for me in terms of bass guitar. His raw, guttural, flogging but yet clean style of bass playing was what I built my foundation off for my current band.<\/p>\n Same as Peter Hook from Joy Division. His melodic playing of chords, the grace in which he does it, the way he just looks so superbly British – all fantastic and admirable qualities.<\/p>\n In terms of bands by themselves I grew up listening to, anything my old boy played off the stereo.<\/p>\n Currently I\u2019m still being inspired by the likes of H\u00fcsker D\u00fc\u2019s earlier stuff, Cosmic Psychos, The Meanies, Wipers, Hard-Ons, Bladee, Joeyy, Marlon DuBois, Yabujin, Mezzoforte, Casiopea, Angry Samoans, Four Lions, BBY GOYARD, 100 gecs, Kevin MacLeod, Dankmus, John Moore and many more.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n