QUAN
What is your name and role within Regurgitator?
Quan, I’m one of the sword masters.
Where are you currently based and what is the music scene like there?
I’m currently based on Earth but I’m thinking of leaving soon cos the scene here is dying big time.
What have you been up to in 2018?
Up to my eyes in screens
Up to my neck in dirty laundry
Up to my stomach in outdated politics
Up to my knees in coffee
Up to my ankles in baby tears
Regurgitator started back in 1994, how did the band come together?
It was a dark dark night…
You’ve been playing as a band for 24 years and have been releasing new music quite consistently, how has the music scene changed since you started and did you ever expect to still be playing as a band after all these years?I had no expectation of anything when it came to the band.
I think the one thing that has stayed pretty much the same through all the changes is the fact that I still feel so outside of the scene. I still listen to other people’s music in equal amounts of awe and apprehension. In awe of the concentration of skill and expertise brought to bear to the one place and time and apprehension at the reason for it all.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Arse, Bodega, Idles, Medium Medium, Kwame, Baker Boy, Tkay Maidza, Bobby Brown.
What do you like to do away from music?
An energy, an elegant turn of phrase, metaphor or punchline.
What influences your sound and songwriting?
Being human. Human beings.
How do you usually go about writing music and lyrics?
I get an idea and I wrestle with it.
Do you have a favourite track and album and if so why?
Computer Blue by Prince on Purple rain. Every time I hear it I get inspired by the skill of the playing and weirdness of the production.
What programs/equipment do you use live and when recording?
I use a computer for most things. A Strat. A jazz bass. Midi drum kits. Microphones. I have an OP 1 to get off the computer sometimes. I use my phone to write lyrics on the toilet. Sometimes I drop my lyrics into the toilet. Live I use mostly light things that won’t hurt my back when I pick them up. An 11 inch laptop, Nano Pedals, tiny Quilter amps.
You’re playing Civic Sounds Laneway Festival in AC/DC Lane – Melbourne on Sunday the 18th of Nov, what do you have in store for this show?
We’re planning to get up on stage and try not to forget how all of the songs go. I’m also personally going to attempt to avoid the neck strain I incurred at the last Melbourne show. Should be rocking.
How do you prepare for each show?
I google all of my lyrics to make sure I heard what I thought I said right. Then I try not to catch a cold.
What do you have planned for the remainder of 2018 going into 2019?
Drawing comics.
Favourite food and place to hang out?
BEN
Ben Ely, Bass player- vocalist- songwriter-hippy.
I live in Brisbane and the scene is as hot as the weather. There’s some amazing venues and a great collective of creative individuals who make great noise.
At the start of the year I composed music for a few different contemporary dance shows then wrote and recorded a Regurgitator album which was followed by an Australian tour, then I painted an art show for a modern art gallery in Hobart Tasmania and also found some time to record a messed up kids album with our band also. Phew I’m a wreck.
We met tripping on lsd at a full moon party in a rain forest. Typical band get together.
It’s changed a lot. I feel it’s a lot more consecutive than it did in the early 90s. A lot less violent which I feel is a good thing. It’s nice to go to a gig and not have an arm broken or get kicked in the face.
Lots and lots of different music. I like Terry and Bloodletting from Oz. I also listen to a lot of late 60s psych stuff like Ultimate Spinach, Chocolate Watchband, Brainticket etc.
Paint pictures and listen to music. That’s fun.
Generally conversations I have with people is my biggest inspiration. People say the damnedest things.
Usually with a guitar, bass or drum kit and my voice. I tried using an eggplant though I was unsuccessful.
I love the track our drummer Pete Kostic wrote. The song called it’s a weird kinda hard. Sums up life really.
I just play bass through an amp. Quan operates the smoke and whistle machine. I don’t even know how he turns it on!
It’s sad that it’s the last gig for the laneway. We will bring some tissues probably. It’s hard to play with tears on your guitars and drums. It gets messy. Cher inspired costuming and Kenny G style lighting should do it.
Well it’s our 25th anniversary next year so we have a busy year planned with lots of special releases and lucky dip prizes for all our super amazin friends.
Thanks for the interview!
