Page 15 of The Devil's Tattoo
Frank took the lead. “We have been blown away by the response to ‘Walls’ already. It really has been quite amazing andunexpected.”
“You guys only decided to form a band together a few months ago?”askedHugo.
“Yeah,” Frank replied. “I was drumming in a punk band at the time, and this particular night, Dee, Zoe, and I were at a Stabs gig at The Corner in Melbourne, and Dee decided it was an awesome idea. I don’t think we had achoice.”
“He conned us into it,”Isaid.
“So, Zoe, is it true this is the first band you’vebeenin?”
“Yeah. I’ve known Dee since we were twelve, so even though I had never sung in front of anyone, he knew I could even if I didn’t. I picked up the guitar almost three years ago now for something to do, but I never thought about being in a band before. I guess I was too content watching others and enjoying their music to contributemyself.”
“That’s crazy! Three years? We’ve had comments coming through on the text line saying you play like Jack White. Another says you put Jimmy Page toshame.”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” I said. “When I first started, it was like a puzzle, and I had the time to nutitout.”
“What I’m dying to know is who your influences are? What went into deciding how your soundplayedout?”
“I came from a punk background,” Frank started. “So I was listening to stuff like The Clash,The Adicts,GBH, and newer stuff like Rancid and NOFX. The band I was in was playing a lot of reggae and loud shouty punk. I don’t think we had a song that lasted more than two and a halfminutes.”
“I’d never thought about writing before,” I said, adding in my piece. “I was just playing for kicks, but I was listening to a lot of stuff from bands like Alberta Cross,Band of Skulls,Black Rebel Motorcycle Club,The Dead Weather… You know, gritty rock and some mellower stuff, as well. We all have our influences, and they all meld together. It’s a very collaborativeeffort.”
“How would you describe your sound? We’ve heard everything from dark and dirty to face-melting rock ‘n’ roll. How would you guys describe it?” Hugoquestioned.
“Waking up after an amazing night on the booze with a sexy woman and not knowing how the fuck you got there.” Frank. Always soastute.
“Wow,” Idrawled.
“Wow, indeed. What aboutyou,Zoe?”
“Dark, dirty, face melting, wet dream, sweaty rock ‘n’roll.”
“I think we like you guys,”saidHugo.
“Like?” Frankexclaimed.
“Okay, okay. We bloody love you guys. We’ve gotta get you in the studio next time. I know Robbo would love you guys on the breakfast show forCoverWars.”
My ears pricked up at the mention of this. Cover Wars was a weekly segment where bands got to play one of their songs and a cover version live on air. I would love todoit.
“For sure,” Frank said, excited. “We’ve got some things up our sleeve. Hookusup.”
“Oh, I’m sure we’ll make it happen sooner rather than later, but the next thing everybody is dying to know is, when’s the album out? And when are we gonna see some more liveshows?”
“We’ve had the album recorded for some time. It’s going to be out in two weeks to coincide with a little tour we have planned, but you’ll have to wait for that to be announced properly,” Frank saiddeviously.
“Hey, Frank. Are we even allowed to tell ’em aboutthisyet?”
He shrugged, looking slightly panicked, but he declared, “Toolate!”
Everyone laughed. This interview business wasn’t half as bad as I’d thought it was goingtobe.
“So much exciting news from the camp! So what’s the albumcalled?”
“Do Me A Favor,” Frankreplied.
“What’s the story behind that?”askedHugo.
“It’s what Zoe says to Dee all the time. Do me a favor, and shut thehellup.”
