MusicJournoSteppin Razor interview
October 12th 2006 05:41
Interview with LUKE (Bass) and ANDY (Vocals, Guitar) from STEPPIN RAZOR
Some songs...
These Pictures - click to listen
Tell Us What You're Gonna Do - click to hear
How did the band get together?
LUKE: I met Dave and Andy through my other band’s singer Jo (the New Justice Team) who live with them and we basically liked all the same shit so we placed an add in the drum (Drum Media) for a drummer. We got a reply from some guy named Petey but when we went over to his house to practice he wasn’t there and his dad kept on saying how much of ‘a mad cunt’ his son was on the drums, it was weird. Then we got a rely from a guy in Nowra, Adam, who has been our drummer ever since. We asked Mark to play sax in our band after the Optionals dismissed him and we heard him play with the Last Hemeroids and Riot City and thought he would fit in well and that’s Steppin’ Razor to this day.
Are you happy with how it’s been going?
LUKE: Yes.
You recently played a few shows in Brisbane, how was that?
LUKE: Brisbane? We didn’t go to Brisbane what are you talking about buddy? Maybe you should do a little bit of research before you interview bands pfft idiot.
(Editor's note: He's joking, they did go to Brisbane)
Favourite shows, and why?
LUKE: Brisbane was probably the best show we have ever played because it was so awesome, a lot of people were getting into what we were playing. We made loads of friends, it was just all round awesome.
There aren’t many people doing skapunk in Sydney (or doing it well at least) at the moment… how do you guys feel about that?
ANDY: Ska doesn’t have the best image at the moment, and I think a lot of bands and fans steer clear of the genre. It kinda sux but we don’t mind that much because we like playing on bills with bands of different styles.
I’ve heard people compare you guys favourably to the Last Hemeroids (it probably helps that you guys reference them by doing a cover of one of their songs). Are you down with this comparison?
ANDY: Hemeroids were a fun band, I remember seeing them the first time back at Green Square and really getting into them. They were pretty much the first punk/ska band that I really got into and saw live. It’s cool if we are being compared to them in that sense, cause I always did enjoy them.
What direction would you like to see the band go in?
LUKE: North east.
ANDY: The way things are going at the moment is cool. We got some shows in Brisbane and Melbourne, and I think we all like travelling and playing Sydney shows too. Music-wise, I would hope we keep coming up with new shit.
Three of you guys play in other bands (at my last count Andy played in at least three). Is it hard to work around?
ANDY: Nah not really, we have a set day and time to practice and when it comes to gigs they don’t conflict too much and we’re all pretty flexible.
Upcoming plans for shows/tours/releases?
LUKE: We’re breaking up. Nah just joking we’re going up to Queensland at the end of July and then going to Melbourne at the start of August and we will be releasing another CD in September, if you want any details check the website out www.steppinrazor.info
Where can people get your EP?
At our shows, Resist Records or get in touch via our website. I hope this discussion has been enlightening.
And some questions I just felt like asking Andy in particular...
How does fronting a band compare to doing keyboards in the Signals?
ANDY: It’s different, I see the Signals as more of a fun band, with the razors I put a lot more of myself into the band. Fronting requires a bit more nerves, and usually a bit more beer...
What are your lyrics predominantly about? Is there a unifying theme at all?
ANDY: Most of the lyrics are about social issues, I usually get an idea when I hear or read something that pisses me off. I think good lyrics prompt listeners to investigate what the song is about through subtle references to issues. Our newest song is about the democracy in the biotechnological industry, and I guess I would really like people to read up on how there are only 4 or 5 large companies running the whole show. That’s the ultimate aim, but recently I have started writing stuff that affects me personally.
How many instruments do you play exactly and what are they?
ANDY: haha, I play piano and keys mainly, and some others not very well, like guitar, accordion and have had a go with trumpet and clarinet, violin, ukelele and some other stuff. I really like trying out new instruments regardless of whether I can play them or not
I hear you might be forming a more folk-styled band... tell me about it
ANDY: hahahaha. Yeah, it’s in the making, I really just want a band I can play piano accordion in. We probably won't be making an appearance for a while tho
Cheers guys
No, thank you
Some songs...
These Pictures - click to listen
Tell Us What You're Gonna Do - click to hear
How did the band get together?
LUKE: I met Dave and Andy through my other band’s singer Jo (the New Justice Team) who live with them and we basically liked all the same shit so we placed an add in the drum (Drum Media) for a drummer. We got a reply from some guy named Petey but when we went over to his house to practice he wasn’t there and his dad kept on saying how much of ‘a mad cunt’ his son was on the drums, it was weird. Then we got a rely from a guy in Nowra, Adam, who has been our drummer ever since. We asked Mark to play sax in our band after the Optionals dismissed him and we heard him play with the Last Hemeroids and Riot City and thought he would fit in well and that’s Steppin’ Razor to this day.
Are you happy with how it’s been going?
LUKE: Yes.
You recently played a few shows in Brisbane, how was that?
LUKE: Brisbane? We didn’t go to Brisbane what are you talking about buddy? Maybe you should do a little bit of research before you interview bands pfft idiot.
(Editor's note: He's joking, they did go to Brisbane)
Favourite shows, and why?
There aren’t many people doing skapunk in Sydney (or doing it well at least) at the moment… how do you guys feel about that?
ANDY: Ska doesn’t have the best image at the moment, and I think a lot of bands and fans steer clear of the genre. It kinda sux but we don’t mind that much because we like playing on bills with bands of different styles.
I’ve heard people compare you guys favourably to the Last Hemeroids (it probably helps that you guys reference them by doing a cover of one of their songs). Are you down with this comparison?
ANDY: Hemeroids were a fun band, I remember seeing them the first time back at Green Square and really getting into them. They were pretty much the first punk/ska band that I really got into and saw live. It’s cool if we are being compared to them in that sense, cause I always did enjoy them.
What direction would you like to see the band go in?
LUKE: North east.
ANDY: The way things are going at the moment is cool. We got some shows in Brisbane and Melbourne, and I think we all like travelling and playing Sydney shows too. Music-wise, I would hope we keep coming up with new shit.
Three of you guys play in other bands (at my last count Andy played in at least three). Is it hard to work around?
ANDY: Nah not really, we have a set day and time to practice and when it comes to gigs they don’t conflict too much and we’re all pretty flexible.
Upcoming plans for shows/tours/releases?
LUKE: We’re breaking up. Nah just joking we’re going up to Queensland at the end of July and then going to Melbourne at the start of August and we will be releasing another CD in September, if you want any details check the website out www.steppinrazor.info
Where can people get your EP?
At our shows, Resist Records or get in touch via our website. I hope this discussion has been enlightening.
And some questions I just felt like asking Andy in particular...
How does fronting a band compare to doing keyboards in the Signals?
ANDY: It’s different, I see the Signals as more of a fun band, with the razors I put a lot more of myself into the band. Fronting requires a bit more nerves, and usually a bit more beer...
What are your lyrics predominantly about? Is there a unifying theme at all?
ANDY: Most of the lyrics are about social issues, I usually get an idea when I hear or read something that pisses me off. I think good lyrics prompt listeners to investigate what the song is about through subtle references to issues. Our newest song is about the democracy in the biotechnological industry, and I guess I would really like people to read up on how there are only 4 or 5 large companies running the whole show. That’s the ultimate aim, but recently I have started writing stuff that affects me personally.
How many instruments do you play exactly and what are they?
ANDY: haha, I play piano and keys mainly, and some others not very well, like guitar, accordion and have had a go with trumpet and clarinet, violin, ukelele and some other stuff. I really like trying out new instruments regardless of whether I can play them or not
I hear you might be forming a more folk-styled band... tell me about it
ANDY: hahahaha. Yeah, it’s in the making, I really just want a band I can play piano accordion in. We probably won't be making an appearance for a while tho
Cheers guys
No, thank you
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