Ladiezman: Tex Perkins talks Ladyboyz, Barnesy

Tex Perkins is a very funny guy. Not only is he one of Australia’s favourite musicians, Tex has had longevity in a field where some people only get 15 minutes of spotlight. From fronting bands such as Beasts of Bourbon, The Cruel Sea and The Dark Horses, to pairing up with Tim Rogers, Charlie Owen and James Cruickshank, Tex certainly lives life to the fullest.
Today Tex and I discuss his latest offering by the band The Ladyboyz and the release of the album No 1's and No 2's.
I start by asking Tex about this cover album and was this a chance to explore some of his favourite tracks or were there other reasons? Tex tells me the new album is a cover album of “creepy classics” and Tex says the idea of the album was to not do favourite tracks. Everyone does their favourite songs he tells me, which can cause problems because if it’s a tough song, are you going to do the song justice or hitch a ride on a classic.

Tex tells me it seemed far more interesting to do the songs he didn’t like so he could free the music. "One can be too precious with the things you love and this can make things restricting'. Tex says the band launched into the tracks to do whatever the bloody hell they wanted. Tex continues to say the songs he chose actually turn his stomach, especially Come Said the Boy by Mondo Rock. Tex explains that he has always detested this song but he now feels he has transformed it into something that is kind of cool and is an absolute revelation and a major achievement. I mentioned I thought this cover was one of my favourites off the album and Tex tells me it’s probably the centrepiece of the record.

Tex says with creepy passion "I like to expose the original artist for the dodgy creeps they really are, because when we all first heard these songs the lyrics went in one ear and out the other when really, once you slow the music down the lyrics expose the musicians and show us these musicians really need to be locked up", He continues to tell me "the band freed up a lot of the songs from their original sensitive productions and they brought the songs back into the light and then they plastered the songs into the ground for real, to free the songs from the dodgy 70’s and 80’s production and personality".

At this point I realise Tex can talk and I also realise I'm not going to get all my questions asked, so I move on and ask Tex about where he recorded the album. Tex tells me the album was recorded at Spice Rack studio in Melbourne and Tex says he found the environment here great to work in as nothing was too much trouble, studio time was cheap and therefore allowed more work to be done.

So how many songs were chosen before the final cut? Tex tells me that he actually chose 30 songs for the album but ended up with 18 cut tracks (cos he really wanted value for money!). I'm curious to know what was Tex favourite song to cover and Tex enthusiastically tells me that Come Said the Boy by Mondo Rock was his favourite to record but he also ads that the one that rocks the most is Hold the Line by Toto.

Tex does a duet with Jimmy Barnes and I ask him if there was blackmail involved for such guest artists but no, Tex tells me that Jimmy is a personal friend and he adds "Jimmy is the most up for it person I've ever met in my entire life". Together they sing You Make me Feel Brand New by The Sylistics. Personally I’ve never heard Jimmy sound so feminine which Tex responds by laughing at me, but seriously, it’s a great cover. Tex informs me there is also a film clip coming out for the song with Jimmy as well as a film clip for I’m Not in Love by 10CC.

Other songs from the album include Sweet Sixteen (Billy Idol), Rich Girl (Hall and Oates), Hungry Eyes by Erin Carmen and Hollywood Seven by Jon English. Most songs seem to cover 1975 – 1985 which Tex laughs and tells me "A bloody golden era really".
Why are the tours going around the casinos this time? Tex exclaims " I couldn't think of a more appropriate setting", I'm told "You won't see the Ladyboyz at the Corner Hotel or the Espy".

I turn my questions to the band, The Ladyboyz, which consists of James Cruickshank, Charlie Owen, Joel Silbersher, Pat Bourke and Gus Agars. Here I find some interesting news from Tex, "We're boys to the ladies, what do you want us to do". Appraently they see themselves as servants to the ladies - so here this warning girls. Tex tells me there is no good reason as to why they're called the Ladyboyz because they still have their genitals attached to their bodies! The new album also includes guest singers such as Jimmy Barnes, Nic Cester (Jet), Adalita (Magic Dirt) and Suze Demarchi (Baby Animals). Stellar performances by all guests and I’ve no doubt they had heaps of fun recording this album.

I enquire about rumours that Tex is moving to Melbourne and Tex says he isn’t moving back to Melbourne, he’s here enough ! He loves Melbourne, and when I ask about his favorite venue he tells me the Palais Theatre in St Kilda "is one of the greatest rooms in the world".

I bring the conversation to the many vehicles that Tex's music has been played in and he tells me “I have no favourite bands that I play in, I love them all equally and I love them on different days” and although this album isn't his musical highlight he tells me he's definitely had the most fun making this album and it’s potentially the greatest joy he’ll ever bring to his audience.

This is the last effort for Tex Perkins and Universal Music, after this Tex tells me he has plenty of things on the boil. I had many more questions to ask Tex but unfortunately our time was up. Tex is one funny person and I would suggest you all have a listen to this album, as it’s truly a Tex classic.

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