Further - Bananas and weak chins
Sydney punk rock band Further have had a big few months. Releasing the follow-up to the 2002 LP 'Punkrockvampires' simply entitled 'Further'! in September and then following that with a healthy dose of touring, which is continuing throughout December. The brothers Coyte have been the roots of the band for the past 8 years. Independence means almost no major radio support for any of their stuff, but there has always been a rumbling of committed fans present. They did a lot of work on their own, even touring England a few years ago, where they played a nightmarishly 27 shows in 30 days. I wonder what's coming up next for the band.
"Plenty of shows, we're doing a gig with Scottish band Sons And Daughters at the Gaelic Club on the 13th Dec, playing the Tucker Bs record launch at Spectrum on the 17th and then on the 18th we're playing as Spod's backing band on the 18th at the Summer Sessions at the Abercrombie."
Having a background playing with such bands as The Rollins Band, Mogwai, …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of The Dead, J. Mascis, Rival Schools, Les Savvy Fav, Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs, The Bronx, and more, as well as festivals such as The Big Day Out, is it hard to find the most exciting gig they ever played?
"The Big Day out in 2004 or supporting Mogwai."
No questions about that one. Further was all booked and set to play a special gig on the Yarra River in Melbourne for Halloween, but unfortunately it was didnt happen. How do they feel about that?
"I feel great about it, because the gig got cancelled and I got to get shit-faced at a mates' Halloween party"
Priorities indeed. Its always good to have a break. With others having commented about them as "The first time I saw Further play I knew I was witnessing something special. Four weird looking guys sauntered onto the stage, looking very casual. There was no rehearsed banter, no real acknowledgement of the audience. They plugged in, nodded at each other and then it was like some invisible rubber band snapped and the walls caved in around me. There was an intensity of sound and conviction there that I imagined people felt when Led Zeppelin played their first gigs." You have to ask whats the best thing about your live shows?
"The unpredictable nature of them. When someone takes the ball and runs with it and you have to just go with it. It's usually Leo or Dang, with me and Andy just shrugging and going "Oh well, let's see if we can keep this together..."
Having just recently recorded and released the cd 'Further!' I have to ask what they find the best and worst thing about the often long and tiring, but always exciting, recording process is?
"The best thing is pulling guitar sounds. I love messing about with pedals and amps trying to get the ultimate sound. We're all gear nerds. The worst thing about recording is having to do vocals. Leo and I both find it pretty tough."
Now for something a bit different I think we should find out what kind of fruit Further would be if somehow they were transformed, because you know, it could happen. It's a very important question and the answer must be debated long and hard. Decided yet?
"We'd be a workhorse sort of fruit, something that doesn't go out of season. Maybe something substantial, like a banana."
A banana. Yes, the staple fruit of monkeys. Very punk, very edible, a good choice. And now to finish with the best piece of advice you have been given. Something to share with everyone out there.
"Don't shave your beard, you've got a weak chin."
You hear that kids? Very important advice!
