1-2-SEPPUKU New CD MY OBSESSION WITH JERUSALEM - OUT NOW - Chatterbox Records / MGM

THE BASICS
Name : Stephen
Band : 1-2-SEPPUKU
Job In Band : Drums
Website Address : myspace.com/12seppuku
Hometown : Sydney
Best thing about the music scene in your hometown : Further

THE BAND

What's the story behind the name?
It used to be Mikey's screen name when he played Call of Duty online and kicked all of our asses. The term "Seppuku" relates to Japanese ritual suicide, but for us, it doesn't really mean anything. We just thought it sounded cool.

How did the band come together?
Through mutual interests, friendships and residence.

How long has the band been around?
Roughly 18 months.

How would you describe your sound?
Instrumental post-rock infused with metal, experimenting with synth sounds and noise. Like Optimus Prime crashing into trees.

What's your current release? Tell us a little about it…
"My Obsession with Jerusalem E.P." became available August 21 through Chatterbox records.

OFF THE STAGE

When did you decide you had to be a musician, and how did you go about it?
There was no conscious decision. I picked up drums when I was in high school and since then I've been jamming with different people. This 1-2-SEPPUKU thing has been the most enjoyable and long-lasting stint. The moment it stops being fun and starts being a drag, I'll quit and find something else. I think we all feel the same way.

What was your first band name and what style did you play?
In high school I was in a melodic punk band called 9 Away. Back then we worshipped Bad Religion, Propagandi and even NOFX.

Tell us three albums you couldn't live without in your collection
- Deftones - Around the Fur
- Sublime - 40 oz to Freedom
- MOGWAI - Happy Songs for Happy People

Best piece of musical advice you've been given
Keep it fat.

Two groups/artists you'd love to take out on the road
Personally, I'd like to take artists who are friends and people we get along with. The Recession are funny guys so they'd be first pick.

Favourite song of your group?
Of the ones we've recorded, You are Not a Decepticon is my personal favorite.

When your not doing band related stuff, what are you usually found doing?
I'm usually watching TV or asleep.

ON THE STAGE / ROAD

What gear do you use?
I use: Tama Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Roland V-Drums and sometimes a laptop with loops on it played via Ableton Live on a little Fender amp.
- Joel: 78 JMP 800 1960 Lead Cab, RAT, Electro Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man, Boss DD5 Delay, Volume, Viper ESP
- Mikey: Rivera Knucklehead, KORG Kaospad II, Digitech Jam Man, Boss DD5 Delay, ESP Barritone
- Chris: Laney GH50L + Marshall Cab, Line 6 DL4 Delay, Electro Harmonix Big Muff Pi, BOSS Heavy Metal Distortion, Expression and Volume Pedals galore, Fender Barritone Special, KORG Kaosspad, Akai Synth

Favourite place (city/town/country) you've toured… and why
We haven't really been outside of Sydney, sorry. This will influence the next few questions...

Favourite venue to perform at… and why?
Iraq was cool, Annandale will rock in October.

Who hogs the stereo in the van the most?
Chris. Its his van.

After a week in the van/bus on tour which band member will have the messiest section, and what would we most likely find stashed there?
Haven't toured that long, yet.

Give us a good quick 'on the road' story, funny, embarrassing, memorable, whatever…
A disclaimer up-front: this is a "you had to be there" story that goes nowhere. So... there was that time we were playing at the Mandarin Club in Sydney, probably one of the first shows there since it had been refurbished and that weird disco floor lit up once again. In the middle of the set these really mean looking triad dudes come down and pull up a seat right in the middle of the seated area and start glaring at us, totally stone-faced. Anyway, they mustn't have liked it much, because no sooner had they sat down than one of them crosses his arms, nods to the group and they get up and leave again. Perhaps they were expecting to see actual seppuku committed live on stage or something? Who knows.

RIGHT NOW

What's getting the most spins in your stereo right now?
The Mare E.P. (That shit's fresh)

Tell us a band or artist everyone should check out and why…
Skull Squadran - big lush sound.

If you could change one thing about the music industry today, what would it be?
I've thought a lot about this and not being a mad-connected music insider I can't suggest anything sensible. So here goes: If I were king of Australia and could change one thing about the music industry I would double unemployment benefits immediately. If we didn't have to work day jobs there'd be a lot more time to tour, get our affairs in order, come up with better answers to questions like this and that sort of stuff. I think it is a change that would be received well within the music industry, too.