The Hotseat – Johnny Wishbone of The Snowdroppers
on March 10th, 2013In a couple of weeks, Sydney outfit The Snowdroppers will release their new album ‘Moving Out Of Eden‘ as well as kicking off their tour to launch it. Released via Four | Four / ABC, we’ve already heard two singles in the form of ‘White Dress‘ and the album’s title track ‘Moving Out Of Eden‘. We caught up with Johnny Wishbone from the band this week to tackle our Hotseat Questions. Expand this post to take a read of his answers and tour dates. You can order the album on CD [Here] or via iTunes [Here].
THE BASICS
Name : Johnny Wishbone
Band : The Snowdroppers
Job In Band : Vocals, harmonica, reluctant banjofonist
Website Address : www.snowdroppers.com
HOME
Hometown : Sydney
Hometown is best known for : Police violence, sensible shoes and shock jocks.
Best venue in your hometown : I really want to say The Annandale here… RIP? Here’s hoping not.
Favourite show you’ve seen in your hometown : Strewth… um… Billy Joel tore the roof of the Arena…
Favourite show you’ve played in your hometown : They’re all so good they blur into one!!!
THE BAND
How did the band first come to exist? By losing touch after Uni then reconnecting… the usual. We figured it beat working. But we still have to do that too…
How long has the band been going? 6. Long. Years.
Any particular story behind the name? We like underpants. nuff said.
What’s your most recent release? Tell us a little about it… Our hotly anticipated sophomore release “Moving Out Of Eden” is out March 22
Got a personal stand out achievement of your band to date? Getting this bloody album out! It’s been like tantra, long and drawn out but ultimately satisfying.
OFF THE STAGE
What was your first introduction to music that made you think seriously about playing it? I was always around it and surrounded by it but I think I’ll blame The Pirates Of Penzance in High School. Jon English.
Any particular band / album or song that you personally credit as a major influence? Geez… I always say Frank Sinatra… XTC are my favourite band… I was a Police nut for ages… I am obsessed with Fountains Of Wayne… I hate being asked that because my mind goes blank and I can never remember… Pink Floyd.
Your first band name, and what style did you play? Dropjive. Nu metal. Emphasis on the NU. That’s if you don’t count trombone in the school band…
Most prized music related item you own? It’s sad, I don’t really “prize” any musical stuff I own… gear or otherwise. I do love my record collection. I’d probably be pretty bummed if I lost it…
When you’re not doing band related stuff, what are you usually found doing? I enjoy riding my bicycle. I recently found out that David Byrne is an avid cyclist which made me feel validated for an afternoon.
The thing you most look forward to just before a tour is… The drinking.
The thing you least look forward to before a tour is… The drinking
ON THE STAGE
When on offer, what’s your one must have item on the rider? There has to be enough booze so that you have some left when you get off stage. A good padlocked eski is handy too… stops the supports from having ideas above their stations.
Favourite place you’ve toured… and why? My fave city to play is Adelaide. It’s got more culture than a penicillin factory and the people are nice. Coopers is also always on tap.
Most memorable show you’ve played? and why? I have absolutely no idea. The sold out one. The one that got a good review. The one where I kissed a girl on the lips. It’s hard to get all three…
Got a favourite song to play live? My fave song at the moment is the title track “Moving out of Eden” as everyone gets to have a sing and hug and love each other and stuff.
Any embarrassing on stage moments come to mind? I’m always shit scared about something happening on stage so I’m pretty pedantic about everything in it’s right place etc… I haven’t shat myself yet so that’s good. I did do a show with extreme stomach cramps and constipation. I later found out it was apendicitis…
Any pre-show rituals? Bit of quiet time is nice… play some harp… mumble… hum… pee… pray… play.
What do you find is the hardest aspect of touring in a band today? Where does one start? The lack of venues or the lack of crowds? I could sound really negative and pessimistic here but I won’t. It’s hard. It always has been and it always will be. A friend once said that touring is living dog years… You’re attitude to touring is dictated by how your show was the night before. If you’ve had a good one, it’s the best thing in the world. If you’ve had a bad one you start questioning why you’re doing what you’re doing. Then you have a good one and you remember etc etc.
RIGHT NOW
Last song you listened to? Dire Straits – Walk of Life
Last album you acquired? Midnight Oil – Essential Oils
Which band or album is currently on high rotation? The Oils, The Hunners, Dire Straits, XTC, The Night Marchers, Zeke
Tell us an up and coming band or artist you think we should go and listen to right now? The Night Marchers – Speedo from RFTC doing what he does best. Rock and Roll music.
What’s on the cards for the next few months for the band? Touring and hoping someone cares.
IF ONLY…
You can pick any one album for your band to cover in full, what would it be and why? Phwoar… I think we’d do a cracking version of Skyhooks – Living in the 70s
You can pick any one band / artist to cover one of your albums in full, what would it be, and why? AC/DC. The riffs and the bogan dollar.
One band you wish you were able to see live but never had the chance? I have missed the Presidents of the USA 3 or 4 times now! I’ve never seen Huey Lewis and the News either…
One venue you have yet to play that you would love to? The Enmore.
The chance comes up to fill in for a member of a band for one tour, which band would it be, and why? Queen needs a new Freddie…
A headline tour overseas comes up, tell us two bands you’d take along to support your band. Gay Paris and Gay Paris. The friendships had would be incredible.
PLUG TIME
Got any final words? New album ‘Moving out of Eden’ is out March 22. Sydney Album Launch at The Standard on the same night!
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THE SNOWDROPPERS – Moving Out Of Eden
Available Friday March 22nd through Four | Four / ABC Music
Pre-Order on CD [Here] or via iTunes [Here]
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