| | | |  | It was more than a decade ago that a Melbourne rockabilly covers outfit called the Runaway Boys wrote a bunch of original tunes and changed their name to The Living End. Ten and a bit years later, that same band have racked up a quintuple-platinum album,...
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| Interview | Access All Areas.net.au: Things are happening thick & fast for you guys, with energetic live shows in recent times & the release of your new record “white Noise” imminent. How are you guys going with everything happening?
The Living End: It’s the “calm before the storm” we honestly can’t wait to get back & get out to playing our shows. We feel we have a really good record which we really love and we’re just so excited for everything to happen.
Access All Areas.net.au: The album seems to have a real late 70’s & early 80’s influence, when writing the record did you look to many influencing artists from this time?
The Living End: Well, you know theres the obvious ones in ACDC and Led Zeppelin, but for us it really kicked in back in january at the Big Day Out when we saw Rage Against The Machine & how the crowd was just so rocking & so into it the ground was shaking from them alone. It was this groove, this drive and this energy which really inspired us to really go with the sound we had created for the new record.
Access All Areas.net.au: With the writing of the record in mind, was it a smooth procession in creating what you wanted for the record, or were there some difficulties in the procedure?
The Living End: Yeah for the first 3 or 4 months we really couldn’t find what we wanted, we had heaps of demos & stuff but nothing really felt right or really enjoyable. It was just this one day when Chris came in and plugged in his guitar & pedals and kicked into the opening riff of “How Do We Know” which got us inspired to write & the floodgates just opened for us. This was the beginning we were looking for & from there it was just no going back for us.
Access All Areas.net.au: The sound of the music on the record is really upbeat & energetic, was this something you were going for once you got into the groove of the creative stage of the record?
The Living End: Yeah, well we really felt with this record we were able to get our sound, being what we feel the band sounds like whether its on stage or just playing around. We were able to give the sound of our music the live edge which we have always tried to get on our records, but this time it all came through, the guitars, the bass & the drums all worked & we love what we’ve got as a result.
Access All Areas.net.au: The vocal & lyrical aspect of the record is really something, on one hand you have upbeat & catchy tunes for just rocking out & then also theres more serious political toned songs on the record. Was this diversity something the band wanted to use to create the songs for the new record or just what flowed through the creative stage?
The Living End: Well with the lyrics of this record we worked really hard to make something. We all contributed in some form but of course, it was Chris who wrote the majority of the lyrics. The real thing about the lyrics is, like Chris has said “if you can take the lyrics on a page & just read them through & it still makes sense, like it’s a story or something, then I feel as if they are great lyrics”. This really comes back to everything we feel, like if you remove the guitars or the bass or the drums you still have the lyrics & its these lyrics which make our record.
Access All Areas.net.au: In the recording, you used John Agnello & travelled to America to record with him. Do you feel this was beneficial for the record & was it enjoyable?
The Living End: Well you hit it on the head when you mentioned “enjoyable”. Working with John was the best recording experience we’ve ever had, the man is just so nice & such a true fan of music that he just works you to give everything you have. With John also he pushes you to not try & do anything out of the ordinary, just to play as you play to give a really good & personal sounding record & cause of this we feel we don’t want to record any more records without John.
Access All Areas.net.au: The record was recorded in just 4 weeks, including 1 week of pre-production followed by 3 weeks of recording. Was this process beneficial in carrying across the more live, exciting & energetic atmosphere the band is known for to the new record?
The Living End: Well yeah, the first week was really more for rehearsing the material so we’d be good to go & then we launched into the record. The 3 weeks of recording were something special, just raw & energetic stuff which was cut straight to tape. By this we mean that there were no pro tools or sound enhancing things to clean up the edges where it may be a bit harsh or messy, which really just enhanced the record even more. We feel that the record is simply everything we could want & we love how it sounds, its us in our element, live & raw.
Access All Areas.net.au: In the near future you will be doing some shows in support of the record including a set at Splender In The Grass & the ‘White Noise Tour across Australia. Are you guys excited about getting out & performing the new material at these shows?
The Living End: Yeah we really can’t wait to get out on this tour to perform the songs to the fans. Its been so long for us we feel so we really are excited to get out on the road & as we have this collection of new material we love its so much more. This tour will be so good for us as we really want to get the new stuff out & we hope that all our fans will have bought our record by the time the tour starts so they know the songs, so maybe there could be some sing-a-longs or something, but hey we can always try.
Access All Areas.net.au: Once the tour is done, what are the plans of the band, will there be touring overseas & if so how do you feel the international crowds will take the new material?
The Living End: Yeah well after splender we will be heading to Japan to play some festivals over there before doing the Australian tour & after that tour we’re not really sure of things yet. We know sometime in the near future we will probably go to America and Europe to do some touring which we would be excited to do. With those fans & how they will receive the material, F if I know but we hope they like it, that’s how it usually is with them so we’re hoping they like it & come support us like our home fans will.
Access All Areas.net.au: Well I would like to thank you for your time today, are there any final words for the living end’s australian fans?
The Living End: Go and buy our record because we really feel that as a band this is our best record yet and we really hope that everyone who likes us will like it too and that they will come see us at one of our shows on tour as it will be amazing & so enjoyable for our fans.
Interview By: Ben Coby
January 7 2007
Access All Areas.net.au: Firstly, wow you guys have had one hell of a career – over ten years, and you’re still shooting out the releases?
The Living End - Chris: I suppose so, in this industry you have your fifteen minutes of fame isn’t it? It’s short lived but at the same time I kind of think we haven’t had that much music out or had that much output for ten years. It seems like a long time but we ended up touring it for two years and I kinda wished we had more music out there but at the same time I think it’s because we have been successful and I suppose we haven’t been able to put out EP’s and albums out as much as we would’ve liked.
The Living End - Chris: I feel like we’re getting better at this and not on to album four and struggling with ideas. We’ve had a hell of a lot of success on the first album and since then I think we’re a much better live band and a much better band in the studio, we’ve learnt what to do and what not to do.
Access All Areas.net.au: Over your career you’ve racked up a quintuple-platinum album, two platinum and five gold records, won three ARIA awards, and countless other accolades what else is there left to achieve?
The Living End - Chris: Grammy would be nice! All our albums have been released in the States and we’ve done lot’s of touring there and that’s the thing, we want to make a go of the overseas markets. We’ve done so much work over the past years but you have to keep going with it and be relentless about it and for us it’s important.
The Living End - Chris: Awards are good and all that but the albums are more important to us because it is anticipated and wanted by other people and we’re lucky to be in that sort of position.
The Living End - Chris: We are anticipated for each album, and for other to be anxious about the albums is great.
Access All Areas.net.au: ‘State Of Emergency’, how did the title for the album come about?
The Living End - Chris: It’s a song on the album and we were kind of looking through album titles firstly before thinking of an overall title and that sort of stands out and its very current, I think every day is almost declared a state of emergency somewhere and it’s a catch phrase and the album has been put together where there’s been a lot of roller coasters so for me this album was something of an emergency to get it to a point where I was happy. I think the title was very fitting.
Access All Areas.net.au: “State Of Emergency’ is your fourth studio album, you opted to go back to producer Nick Launay for this one, the same producer behind ‘Roll On’, was there a particular reason for this?
The Living End - Chris: We got together one day and chatted about making another album. Our last album didn’t quite capture the essence and the energy of the band and that’s the reason for recording everything to have it perfect and all in tune and it was like that with ‘Roll On’, it had an energy that associated with the band and Nick was lots of fun to work with and we spoke to him and wanted to do a similar thing.
The Living End - Chris: He is great working arrangements of song. He is the master of pulling good sounds and the stuff he did with the Oils and the Chair and stuff we are big fans.
Access All Areas.net.au: After this album release and the promo, etc what are your plans? Touring?
The Living End - Chris: Yeah I think we’ll have a couple of meals and a couple of ours sleep and be just driving, just road warriors. We toured the last album quite a bit and did one national tour here unfortunately but we have got a frame of mind to tour for two years and push it all we can because we figure we do it while we can and there’ll be plenty of time to wear slippers when we’re older.
The Living End - Chris: Nothing better sells the band than playing live, we’re not a studio band, we’re a live band but having said that I think with this album we’ve captured something in the studio that hadn’t been done before – so I am even more excited.
Access All Areas.net.au: The Living End is renowned for a killer live show, what is it that you do and can fans expect when going to a Living End show?
The Living End - Chris: I think most fans expect that we don’t kind of go lightly in shows, they’re volatile and high energy and vigorous and audience loves the energy and stuff. I’m just assuming, I don’t know, I’ve never really asked what’s appealing about us but I can understand the appeal because there wasn’t a band like us when I was in high school and that was the reason for putting this band together in the first place – inventing a band that wasn’t really there.
The Living End - Chris: I think there’s a scene out there for that and people identify with it.
Access All Areas.net.au: I know there’s the saying what goes on the road stays on the road but c’mon can you tell us any funny stories you’ve experienced whilst on tour or before/after a gig?
The Living End - Chris: Yeah I’m not big fan of that saying, a lot of bands do lots of stuff that they need to hide, I probably sound boring now because we’re not the band that’s done the whole strip club after shows thing. I don’t know, it’s really difficult because we’re not that kind of crazy band; normally that stuff happens on stage with Andy wearing undies on head!!!
Access All Areas.net.au: How do you believe the band progressed in the time you've spent together?
The Living End - Chris: Well I think obviously we’re better players now, our songwriting has improved and that’s the main thing actually, the sense of the kind of direction in a song has improved and it’s really important in any part of writing a song and having it in the right order. As John Lennon said, he does lots of drafts but he was different to the rest because of the decisions he made like “this chorus needs to come in ealier” and there was something with Beatles songs that worked… arranging to me is the ultimate key to writing a good song.
The Living End - Chris: And I think the other thing is that we’re older than we were when we started!!
Access All Areas.net.au: Do you guys get sick of any of it at all – the constant touring, music, interviews, etc?
The Living End - Chris: No, I’d say the only part that is a bit of a drag is the deadlines and stuff with artwork and merch ideas. We like to have a lot of say in that and that’s where we get in trouble when our manager hassles us on making a decision about a t-shirt design where we like a design but might want a few things changed with it and the deadline’s tomorrow. So I think it’s the business side of it that bugs me but I am glad to have a say in it.
Access All Areas.net.au: So how would you say this new album differs to your previous albums? Does it still have the trademark Living End sound?
The Living End - Chris: Yeah I think that it does, I don’t know if it’s as reckless sounding as it did particularly with the first album but that’s what happens when you get to a point neatening up some things, I think that’s fine done the right way,.
The Living End - Chris: The songs that have sort of pop vein on this album are well constructed pop songs, whereas the kind of reckless songs like ‘Whats on Your Radio’ and ‘State Of Emergency’ kind of have an energy and looseness required for that song.
The Living End - Chris: I think the difference with this album is that we’ve approached every song individually and made sure that each song was carried through right to the end and sometimes on the last albums we lost our way and it’s really easy to do – I feel we’ve nailed it this time!!
Access All Areas.net.au: What does the future hold?
The Living End - Chris: More albums? I’d like to think so, I think our writing has improved and we seem to have so many songs left over. We had sixty songs again this time and it happens with every album, I feel that I’m not going to be satisfied until we have a lot more material out there and we’re always like ‘right what are we going to do next?’ and when we stop thinking that way that’s the time when we’ll call it quits.
The Living End - Chris: I still feel like we’re a young band… still feel that we’ve got as much ahead of us as we do behind us. |
| Biography | It was more than a decade ago that a Melbourne rockabilly covers outfit called the Runaway Boys wrote a bunch of original tunes and changed their name to The Living End. Ten and a bit years later, that same band have racked up a quintuple-platinum album, two platinum and five gold records, won three ARIA awards, countless other accolades and gathered fans all over the world. What’s more important, while some bands seem old and outdated only two or three years after they start, guitarist Chris Cheney, bass player Scott Owen and “new” drummer Andy Strachan are every bit as exciting a prospect as they were way back when – if you need any convincing, just check out a show the next time they come your way…
“It’s incredible,” admits Andy. “At some of the all-ages gigs we did on the last tour, it was just totally insane. There were all these kids, 12-years-old, just picking up the band for the first time, and that would happen every show. It doesn’t feel like we’re just playing to the old fans at all – every show there are new kids there, which is just awesome.”
All of which makes a new record by The Living End a very delicate balancing act – a question of how to serve up something for the new fans as well as the old guard, and all the while keep things moving forward creatively. For the Melbourne trio, the answer to that question came in the form of the one thing they know best – maximum rock & roll.
“To me,” begins Scott, “the beauty of our sound comes from the fact that when we get on stage the nerves and the energy sort of take over and a few rough edges come along and give it the extra little bit it needs. It gets to the point that, in a good way, it almost sounds like it’s gonna fall apart, and we wanted to play with that sort of energy and get that on-the-brink sort of feel in the studio.”
To that end, the boys turned to an old cohort to help them in a new direction for album number four, State of Emergency. Deciding it really is better the devil you know, the band once again enlisted the talents of legendary producer Nick Launay, who worked on their platinum selling second album Roll On (not to mention a whole host of other influential titles, including some of the finest records of the last couple of decades).
“We definitely walked away from Roll On feeling that it had an energy and sonic quality that we liked,” explains Chris. “And when we went back to it five years later, we found that energy was still there. That told us Nick was perfect for the sort of record we had in mind this time.”
With more than forty demos under their belt, Chris, Scott and Andy went into a Byron Bay studio with Launay earlier this year to begin the next chapter in their already enthralling tale. Coming off the back a very successful 2004 (including huge tours of the US, first with Jet and the Vines and later with Blink 182 and No Doubt) the lads were in high spirits. Andy was well and truly settled in the role he had inherited from former drummer Travis Dempsy just prior to the making of the band’s last record, Modern Artillery, and Chris had, thankfully, avoided any near death experiences. The plan was simply to go in, lay everything down very quickly and get out again – but hey, who ever sticks to the plan…
“Ah, yeah, it took way longer than we anticipated,” admits Andy with a laugh. “We set out to have it recorded in three weeks, and have it mixed and ready to go in six, but it didn’t quite end up that way.”
While Andy is quick to point out that a large part of the extra time might be Nick’s fault – “Nick’s definitely not a fast worker – he’s a procrastinator” – the real truth of the matter is that once they started working on the songs, the band found a new depth to the material that just cried out for a little extra care.
“We’re in a really good position at the moment,” explains Chris. “We’re a better live band than we ever were, we’re writing better songs, and we’re really still moving forward and learning from our mistakes. With this record we were able to look back and not make the same mistakes, and largely that was attention to detail. This time we weren’t happy to just say, ‘That’s good enough’. I just don’t have time to be complacent anymore; I just don’t want to have regrets about what we could have done.”
Of course, that dedication made for a very interesting scenario – on the one hand, the band went into the studio to make the most blistering, intense album of their career; on the other hand they wanted to make sure that album was right in every detail. The result is a record that highlights something that crowds the world over already know – The Living End play hard, fast rock & roll, but there’s nothing dumb about it.
“We wanted to show a bit of the growth in the band, and at the same time not ignore those harder sort of tunes that are such a part of what we do,” says Chris. “I think our fans and the public know that there’s more to the band than just “Prisoner of Society”, but they also know that’s part of us. I think we have proven all that, but I still wanted to prove it on a deeper level, to show that we’re into the three-piece energetic stage show, but that I also love songwriters like Bruce Spingsteen and Pete Townsend. And I don’t see why we can’t do that – we really wanted to pull off some great songs.”
So while State of Emergency dishes out some of the best punk rock energy of The Living End’s career – tracks like first single “What’s On Your Radio” – it also gives fans a better look at that other side they have always known is there. Songs like the Midnight Oil flavoured anthem “Wake Up”, the shimmering Phil Spector-like psychedelia of “Order Of The Day” or the jazzy edge of “Nowhere Town” (complete with horns that will have some listeners thinking of Rocket From the Crypt) all show The Living End flexing their musical muscles and minds. It’s a very impressive balance, more so because there’s never a moment here where you could believe this was anyone except The Living End.
“Yeah well,” says Chris with a chuckle, “I don’t think we’re in danger of becoming AC/DC, even though there is something cool about that the way you know what you’re getting with them. But I like our fans to be excited about getting a new album, because they like our sound, and they get that with a few new twists every time. This time, yeah, we’re doing some different things, but it sounds like The Living End doing different things, not like The Living End trying to sound like a different band. I think now we’ve learned that we can play a 12-bar blues, or we can play a really abstract arrangement and either way we can still sound like us.”
And why would they want to sound like anything else? |
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