Raygun Mortlock have a pretty distinctive sound. How did you develop this sound, and was it difficult to get where you are now in terms of such a strong identity as a group? The sound came quiet naturally, the point has always really been to keep everything as raw as possible, with very little technical gloss. This, combined with, well... our "Strong Identity" as you put it haha, definitely made things hard, especially coming from somewhere like Murwillumbah
So being an emerging band in Murwillumbah, has it been pretty difficult to get people to catch on when you're obviously about much more than just playing whatever's "in" at the time? Well, I have always tried to steer the band clear of any sort of "Trend" or "Scene", but that's not to say people have not caught on. The fact that we don't really fit anywhere seems to be one of the things that has attracted people. The situation has always basically been that pubs wouldn't give us a gig because we wouldn't play "Popular Pub Rock Favorites", I have no interest in playing music like that. First and foremost I make music for myself… if other people enjoy it that's cool, but I don't play just for the benefit of some greedy publican . And I never will.
That's really good, to see a band more focused on their own goals and their own images than what a venue might want to see. Because when it comes down to it, a bar manager can't speak for the whole music industry. Publicans and Club owners, especially in an area like the tweed coast and gold coast, are of the opinion that all their patrons want to hear is the same mindless, middle of the road, generic rubbish. So it hard for someone trying to do something different to get a break, that's why i started doing the self-promoted shows at the bowls club at Condong, and surprisingly we got a wide range of people from all age groups and walks of life interested in us.
You have a pretty broad spectrum of influences, but which of those would you say really stand out for you guys when you’re making music? Well I can’t speak for everyone in the band. My main influence comes from a lot of underground noise rock stuff, The Jesus Lizard, Big Black, The Birthday Party. And some more commercial stuff like early Marilyn Manson. I have also drawn a lot of influence from non-musical artists, such as Authors like William S. Burrough, David Lynch films.. all that good stuff.
With Severe Noise Entertainment and the upcoming “Great Banana Barn Dance”, you’re obviously pretty big on collaborative gigs. Do you think that’s an important part of local bands being able to really push themselves and get their names out there? I like to see everyone playing. I like to encourage young bands who haven't done their first gig yet to come and play at the shows that I organise. It’s my goal to let everyone and anyone have a go. And if only 10 people turn up to watch that's fine. It’s not about money to me, or numbers or anything like that. It’s just about everyone having somewhere to play without the hassles of pub managers and club owners telling them what they can and cannot do.
So it's obviously not all about competition, then? There is no competition at all, it’s nice to see the bands get acknowledged for their efforts and have a few people show up, sometimes we pull really big crowds at those gigs which is great. But that's not really even the point. Its more about just having somewhere to play. Which can be impossible at times if you are an artist trying to do something that is a bit different .
That's really good. Speaking of live gigs, yours can be pretty full-on. Do you think it's easier to convey the core of what you are as a band through live performance, as opposed to recordings? Raygun Mortlock has never and will never be a "Good time party rock band"… It is in essence a vehicle for expressing my own disgust and frustrations with a variety of subjects ranging from Apathy, Right-wing conservative government, Domestic Violence, Substance abuse... there is a huge list of themes but I try to make the point as clear as I can whether it be through music, live performance or interviews like this. But the live gigs are getting more full-on, also we are slowly breaking our way into the Brisbane scene, so there is a fair chance the gig will grow more abrasive and even violent as they get bigger.
Wildest gig you've ever played?
There has been a lot of good ones, lots of bodily fluids and constant threat of violence.. ranging from playing at bikie club houses, being spat on, urinating in beer glasses.. good times.
What advice would you give to other young musicians who hope to make it big in the music industry? Well, no one really makes it "big" anymore unless you are extremely lucky. But for personal success, it’s best to just play what you want, don’t follow a trend or a try and join a genre scene just because a heap of people told you that it is cool at the moment. Scenes and trends die as quickly as they are born. Play what makes you happy and in a genre that gives you the space to express yourself comfortably. Art is about freedom, not following some fashion or stylistic criteria.
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