Sometimes you see a band that requires you to set aside your pre-conceived notions about what a live show is supposed to be. Sometimes you see a band that doesn’t necessarily fit your exact genre of music. And, sometimes, you find yourself rocking out regardless, because you know what? Ya’ just can’t help it! All of these scenarios accurately describe The Grates. These Aussies take us into their world; chatting up band responsibilities that come with growing popularity, their efforts to make us “comfortable”… and eventually you’ll get to the part about leopard print leotards. Enjoy!
For our Colorado friends, The Grates will be playing at the Hi Dive on October 12th with Those Darlins—two feral, rowdy, badass bands in one intimate place of music! Rock on!
Interviewed by Ben James (BJ).
Photographed by Todd Roeth.
Ben James -We had a great time seeing you at SXSW in Austin and even more so over the weekend of Monolith. With each of you contributing thought on the subject, how do you find yourselves this far from Australia entertaining people and gaining fans touring the United States?
Patience - It’s a real pleasure for anyone wanting a little adventure in their lives! We love our home town but we know it too well, it's hard to get lost on the back of your hand. On behalf of all of us I can say we're enjoying the food, the wonderful American hospitality and your changing weather.
Alana - Touring the States is an experience in every facet - New people, the incredible variation of landscapes, food, and responsibilities.
John - Having a blast. Loving the scenery, the long drives and the shows. Hate that I always catch a cold a week or two into a tour.
Aw Yeah
-The Grates
BJ - Patience / John: In our research, we found out you co-produced the latest album and had some initial reservations about doing so. As that is part of the growing pains and process of success, is there anything else that scares you moving forward? If so, let us know why?
P -Growing pains, you can’t expect to be an adult and always rely on someone else. At some stage you need to know if your take was good, or when to say enough is enough. Different producers have different styles and Peter’s way of doing things was something we had to adjust to. I remember in the first week we were having midnight meetings, and stomach pains. I don’t know if ‘success’, as in 'the band' being a success, has a process, but I do know if feels good to be challenged and work hard. Accept both your wins and loses.
J -I think it was a good step forward, taking on some more responsibility with our songs. Though co-producing is a really nice way to do it, just to have someone else around that you trust to throw in ideas can be really inspiring. I guess the scariest thing about moving forward is it becomes easier to lose touch with the reasons you're in the band in the 1st place.
BJ - Alana, the presence of a female drummer isn’t often seen but certainly appreciated! Its easy to ask a guitarist about their influences, but what about you?
A - I couldn't name a certain person, but I've played in all sorts of bands; a 4-on-the-floor Rolling Stones-type group, 13-minute Drone Fests, Piano Pop, an something that sounded like soundtrack to a Halloween Party. I'm not a very technical player, but I like to perform.
BJ - John, what was the first international gig “The Grates” played? Were your thoughts then different then they are now regarding the bands growth and expanding popularity? Has your overall vision changed regarding this growth?
J - The 1st international show we played was in London though I can't really remember much from it, except we were all pretty jetlagged and caught up in being overseas for the 1st time. I don't really think my ideas about the band growing has really changed much, they all, or mostly, feel like small victories!
BJ - Ok Patience, you’re up. Your stage presence is a huge part of the band and the show as a whole. Give us some insight as to what you are thinking up there every night.
P - When I'm up on stage I just really want everybody to be comfortable, so then they can have a good time. That’s it. Otherwise it’s just a bunch of people in a room. I want it to be a bunch of people in a room, feeling comfortable, glad they didn’t stay home, feeling good, having a great time, yeah sweet let’s high five!
BJ - As a second part to that question, do you think a band has an obligation to show up and do more than just play music or is that an unfair expectation for a fan to have?
P - Yeah, I do think it’s an unfair expectation because you’re never going to satisfy everyone. People like different things. It’s all just about your personal experience. For me though? I expect to feel like I've made friends with the audience by the end of the show, and when I don't that's when I walk off going "Oh man, that was crap". Thankfully I haven't felt like that in a while! Ha ha
BJ - Patience / John / Alana: What’s in the works in terms of the Australian music scene right now? Should we be keeping our eye on anyone in particular who’s about to break out and make their way to the States?
P - Yes! Violent Soho, who is incredible, they’re about to tour with Built To Spill, Dinosaur Jr. then The Ravonettes. They are a must see. They’ll make you want to grow your hair long again. Then Children Collide because they make good old fashion indie rock and roll. In the terms of what's popular in Australia though, electronic music was huge last I checked, with bands like The Presets, Ladyhawke, Empire Of The Sun and Midnight Juggernauts, gaining a lot of success. Then there are pretty successful indie bands too like British India, Temper Trap, Regular John, Little Birdy, Washington, Yves Klein Blue, Tame Impala and The Vasco Era. Plus lots of hip hop, the most successful probably being The Hilltop Hoods.
J - Violent Soho!
BJ - Patience / John / Alana: Alright everyone…what in the hell is going on in the “Awww Yeah!” video? Arguably the greatest video we’ve watched in the office over the last two years but we need your help…give us the background on this thing!?
P - Oh, it was fun, we filmed it in Byron Bay, one of the most beautiful locations in Australia, on a Sunday afternoon. We just always felt like the song was a march for misfits so when we started discussing film clip ideas, filming some kind of a march was at the forefront. We didn’t want it to be The Black parade, obviously, but we also didn’t want it to be a Christian Parade. We got in touch with this tiny but hard working company called Krozm. It was their stroke of genius that helped it become a 'neo-day of the dead' celebration march, me towards my own death, with all of our friends as characters we picked up along the way. That is collectively our favourite film clip. One thing we did learn is how much more rockstar our friends were than us. The night before the shoot we all stayed at a hippie's bed and breakfast in the mountains. Alana and I hit the sack early. John and our mates, however, stayed up and partied all night. The next day I walked out to the jacuzzi to see feathers boas, bottles, wizard hats, fairy wings and leopard print leotards everywhere. I eventually we saw the photos of the fun we missed - boobs, lots of boobs.
J - I think Patience covered most of this, there was also a lot of sunburn, a sprained ankle and donkey dramas. And all our friends partied WAY harder than me.
Fans
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