Perth outfit Leeches! just had their ‘Lords Of Dullsville‘ album launch over the weekend. The debut full length features 10 short and fast tracks that clock in under 20 minutes. This week the band took the time to tell us a bit about the release via our On The Record questions. Expand this post to check out their answers and have a listen to the album. You can pick up a copy now [Here].
Tell us about the release title.
The release title “Lords of Dullsville” is a bit tongue in cheek really, relating to where we live. Perth can be (at times) a little dull, everyone knows this, It’s not a hack! We’re all suburban working blokes who love a beer on the weekend, we are the Lords of Dullsville. Lee came up with the title, with a slight reference to Lords of Dog town, Exotic vs Boring. We did have a long list to choose from but this seemed to stand out to us. Our first 7″ E.P was called ROTT, and Lords seemed to sit well with that too.
Tell us about the artwork.
We’re really proud of the artwork, it’s an important part of what we do. I think it’s a good representation of the sound we’re going for as well. Ray Ahn (hard-ons) did the illustration, Glenno Smith did the colour. Our good mate from Melbourne Stu Manchu did the back cover layout. It was a bit of a collaboration. We’re putting it out on 12″ Vinyl as well as other formats so we thought it’d be the right thing to do to give people their moneys worth. As far as themes go, Ray’s art has a very identifiable style, what he’s done for us is pretty out there.
What format/s will it be released on and how will it be packaged?
12″ Deluxe Vinyl, Digital download and Cd’s. The Cd’s are really cool, they’re packaged like a vinyl, with the Cd itself having ‘grooves’ on it and coming in a sleeve, with a seperate piece of card for the art. Kinda like a digi-pak. I guess you have to please everyone these days, from the kids to the old school crusty’s.
Who will it be released through, and when?
Released 1st November 2013 through Bridge Sounds – Melbourne. These guys are great to deal with, having released our first e.p with them as well as “Lords of Dullsville”. They have a lot of great acts that are really starting to get noticed. They’ve also released it for us in Japan, which we’re really excited about. Looking at heading there next year if all goes to plan.
Tell us about the studio and why you chose to record there?
Bergerk Studios is an institution in Perth with a rich history. It’s really suited to Punk Rock/Heavy bands that are looking to have a more live and organic recording. It’s a no pressure kind of environment, with a Red Rooster right across the road, which fuelled the fire.
Tell us about the producer / engineer and why you chose to record with them?
Al Smith is a long term friend of the band as we’ve recorded in various other bands with him over the years. He actually mastered ROTT. That was a turd polishing mission, considering we recorded it
in a hallway and two bedrooms. We actually built a new vocal booth there for him in return for a few days recording. That worked out great for the both of us. The guy is a champion as anyone who’s
worked with will attest to.
Did you go into the writing process with a clear direction in mind?
Yeah I guess so, the demos were the blue prints. we knew it had to come from all three of us and be as urgent as possible. You always hear bands trying to re-create what it is that they do live. I think that, as cliche’ as that sounds, it’s really what we were trying to do. We just strapped in a went for it. No frills, no ten minute solos, no lights shining on one particular instrument.
Were you listening to anything in particular during the writing / recording process that influenced the songs at all?
Yeah as a band we’re into similar stuff. The recording was really quick, we weren’t couped up in a French Chalet for months on end or anything like that. The main influences came from what we listen to at home or in the car you know. OFF! is an obvious one, Cosmic Psychos had an influence too. I was listening to a few Perth bands that had releases around that time, Agitated and Negative Reinforcement especially.
Were there any albums you were referencing to aim for a certain type of sound production wise?
Funnily enough, when we had the conversation with Al about that, he suggested ROTT should be a bit of a reference point for us. Not so much sonically but energy wise. Lords definitely sounds a little cleared and more audible but it still has that gravel buzz saw thing going on. Most of the old punk rock stuff, the Minor Threat and those kind of bands just give you a feeling when you listen to them. I don’t think thats always because the kick drum is sitting nice against the angled wooden studio ceiling if you catch my drift.
How long did you spend in the studio recording?
Two days, we smashed them out and so we should have, the songs are 1 minute long on average.
Tell us a little about the recording process the band used?
Drums and bass sounds came really easy, Al knows the room and his gear like the back of his hand. Guitar we ran through a fender twin and a Marshall head and stack, kinda gave it the thick and thin
treatment. We got all the beds done in the first day, did the vocals on the second. We did try doing it all together with the vocals but it wasn’t really working out. Should have known better.
Was this any different to previous processes you have used?
Yeah, ROTT was on an 8 track recorder in a mates house. Lords was way easier.
Any guests involved? if so, who.. and what did they do?
No guests on this record, just the three of us
Any particular equipment outside your usual live gear used in the process?
The drums and bass were as we use them live, Guitars we used a channel switch, allowing us to run two amps at once. We didn’t really experiment too much as our sound is what it is.
Any memorable studio moments?
I think it was a memorable time because we were one of the last bands to record there. It’s since been closed down and Al is only mixing and mastering now from his home in the hills. There were
some good stories from Al reminiscing about metal band punch ups and a particular vocalist who walked around the studio for an hour or so screaming into his own hand, trying to find the perfect spot to sing.
Any additional tracks recorded that didn’t make the cut but may see the light of day sometime?
Only a Wipers cover of “Lets Go Away”, it’s out there on the net somewhere!
What track/s are you most looking forward to playing live?
‘Wilding Street’ and Drain are always fun, they’re all fun though.
How would you compare the final product to previous releases?
Lords is a little easier on the ear, the songs are a bit more developed too. Its an album so it goes on a bit more of a journey, albeit a quick one.
Anything else you want to say or about the release?
We’re really proud of it and can’t wait to get on the road. It’s been a while coming for us personally so it’s good to have it out and about. If you like fast punk rock give it a go!
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LEECHES! – ‘Lords Of Dullsville‘
Available now on Vinyl and Digitally via Bridge Sounds [Here].
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