The Hotseat: Shaun from Aitches
on January 22nd, 2012Having sucessfully launched their double A-Side single ‘Trouble / What You Know‘, Melbourne’s Aitches are now fast approaching the March release of their debut album ‘Stay In Bed‘. Launches for that will be announced soon, in the meantime you can download both tracks and catch them live at Barwon Club in Geelong on February 10th. Shaun from the band took the time to answer our Hotseat questions this week, expand this post to take a read while having a listen to the two tracks released so far from the album. If you missed it last week, they also gave us an insight into the single, recording and more in our On The Record section, read that [Here].
THE BASICS
Name : Shaun
Band : Aitches
Job In Band : Guitar
Website Address : www.facebook.com/aitches & aitches.bandcamp.com
HOME
Hometown : Melbourne, well Northcote is the ‘home’ of the band as three of the four of us live / have lived there for years.
Hometown is best known for : Blood Duster, High Street, Northcote Plaza, the Westgarth strip, gentrification.
Best venue in your hometown : Locally I like Willow, Bar Nancy, whatever Bender is called now, 303, the Social Club. More generally it was the Arthouse and the Public Bar but they’re both resting in peace.
Favourite show you’ve seen in your hometown : Tough question… the best Northcote show I’ve seen was probably Blueline Medic at the Social Club a few years back. Any Blueline show is always awesome.
Favourite show you’ve played in your hometown : Definitely a show we played at the Arthouse (RIP) with Donnie Dureau, Jonesez and the Statics.
THE BAND
How did the band first come to exist? I was living in London in 2007/08 and bought a cheap acoustic guitar for 50 euro in Cologne when I was travelling around Europe with some mates. I took the guitar back to London and wrote some songs which would form the basis of what ended up being called Aitches.
How long has the band been going? The band as a group formed when Matty (drums) got back from London in 2009 and we started jamming with my brother Joel (bass). Brad (vocals) joined this year to complete the picture.
Any particular story behind the name? The name comes from the George Orwell book ‘the Road to Wigan Pier’. Thanks to wikiquote for this: “And then perhaps this misery of class-prejudice will fade away, and we of the sinking middle class … may sink without further struggles into the working class where we belong, and probably when we get there it will not be so dreadful as we feared, for, after all, we have nothing to lose but our aitches.”
What’s your most recent release? Tell us a little about it… Our most recent, and first, release is the double A side ‘Trouble / What You Know’ single. It’s the first taste of our debut album ‘Stay in Bed’ which will be out in March.
Got a personal stand out achievement of your band to date? Just actually writing and recording an album. After being in so many bands and doing so many EPs it’s nice to have a full length LP!
OFF THE STAGE
What was your first introduction to music that made you think seriously about playing it? Dancing around the lounge room at my Uncles house to his collection of 50′s & 60′s vinyl.
Any particular band / album or song that you personally credit as a major influence? Not really one particular influence but Descendents, the Lemonheads, Sommerset, the Lawrence Arms, Propagandhi, Satanic Surfers and many other bands are my personal favourites.
Your first band name, and what style did you play? Well my first band was called Sk8bored (worst name ever) and I played drums. The style was a mash of punk / ska / metal… We never played a gig. I’m glad.
Most prized music related item you own? Probably my guitars, they would be the first thing grabbed in a fire.
When you’re not doing band related stuff, what are you usually found doing? Eating.
The thing you most look forward to just before a tour is… well we’ve not been on tour yet, but I know that Matty is looking forward to borrowing his mum and dads Tarago to take on tour. It’s the little things.
The thing you least look forward to before a tour is… Having to go back to work after the tour.
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ON THE STAGE
When on offer, what’s your one must have item on the rider? Beer. Jameson, dry ginger ale and fresh limes would be awesome as well.
Favourite place you’ve toured… and why? The Arthouse, need I say more?
Most memorable show you’ve played? and why? Definitely the Arthouse show with Donnie. I’ve played a gig with him before but knowing that is what the last show we’d play at the Arthouse made it all the more special.
Got a favourite song to play live? ‘Skivvies Are Back’ is my favourite. I get to go on a psychedelic freak out mid song. It will be on the album so come March you can all know what I’m talking about. Or just come to a show!
Any embarrassing on stage moments come to mind? Matt’s jokes.
Any pre-show rituals? Not really… does drinking count as a ritual?
What do you find is the hardest aspect of touring in a band today? Getting the time off work. But then that’s probably always been an issue.
RIGHT NOW
Last song you listened to? Check’s iPhone… Strung Out – Lubricating the Revolution. Gotta love shuffle.
Last album you acquired? Well I went on a bit of a pre-Christmas spending spree at Poison City and bought the Currency album for my Dad, the OFF! Box set for Joel and a few cds for myself including Strathmore’s EP and Leatherface – Viva la Arthouse. It was a bit of a catch up session.
Which band or album is currently on high rotation? Jawbreaker.
Tell us an up and coming band or artist you think we should go and listen to right now? The Union Pacific.
What’s on the cards for the next few months for the band? We’ve just launched the single and will be launching the album in March. We’ll then try and get interstate later this year.
IF ONLY…
You can pick any one album for your band to cover in full, what would it be and why? Descendents – Everything Sucks. It was a toss-up between any Descendents record but Everything Sucks has ‘I’m the One’ and that’s one of my favourite songs of all time.
You can pick any one band / artist to cover one of your albums in full, what would it be, and why? I reckon the Lemonheads circa Bill & Karl from Descendents on bass and drums. You get your Evan Dando and an awesome rhythm section. Best of both worlds!
One band you wish you were able to see live but never had the chance? Husker Du.
One venue you have yet to play that you would love to? Any venue, lounge room, backyard that will have us.
The chance comes up to fill in for a member of a band for one tour, which band would it be, and why? For me as a guitarist it would have to be OFF! They are one of the best live bands I have ever seen and Dimitri’s songs and guitar playing blow me away. I would also happily fill in for Steve McDonald on bass.
A headline tour overseas comes up, tell us two bands you’d take along to support your band. I’d take the Union Pacific but they’d have to headline as they are so much better than us. I’d also bring Gerard from the Statics just so that we could hang out.
PLUG TIME
Got any last words? The album’s out in March. Thanks Bomber, love your work.
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Keep an eye out for the band’s ‘Stay In Bed‘ album coming in March. If you are in Geelong, you can catch the band on February 10th.
For updates and more show dates, visit the band’s page [Here].
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