REX BANNER Playing this Friday night at BOMBSHELL BLITZ #6 - EMPIRE HOTEL, ANNANDALE, SYDNEY - With BAGSTER, HUNTSMAN & LOST IN LINE

THE BASICS
Name : Adam
Band : Rex Banner (the mighty)
Job In Band : Yelling, drinking, memory loss
Website Address : www.rexbanner.com.au
Hometown : I grew up in Canberra (no apologies, I got an excuse haha), now based in Sydney Town
Best thing about the music scene in your hometown : Sydney rules at the moment, heaps of gigs, easy access to rock and roll of all flavours, cheap thai food and good coffee

THE BAND

What’s the story behind the name?
Honestly, I didn't have much to do with it because the guys had beeen rehearsing for a couple of years before I showed up. We can't think of anything better, and for some weird reason it suits us, so now we're stuck with it haha

How did the band come together?
The dudes had been rocking for a while, looking for a singer. I met the guitarists, Loukas and Kelly, right here on the 'shell while I was living in Galway, Ireland. I heard their demo, told them I'd love to sing for them, and they told me to get my arse back to Australia. My first night in Sydney I went to my first rehearsal. Everything just fell into place, and here we are!

How long has the band been around?
Around two and a half years of writing songs I guess, and about 6 months as a full unit. We've played around 25 shows in the last 4 months, it's been awesome.

How would you describe your sound?
It's all rock and roll, baby. Nah seriously, I don't wanna call it punk because we're not really a punk band, it's more a melodic hardcore sound with leanings towards social politics and an agenda that involves playing rock and roll for the sake of it, not for any fashionable/financial reasons. That shit pisses me right off. However, the other dudes might feel differently about what we do, and I wouldn't want to speak for them, it's not my place.

What’s your current release? Tell us a little about it…
A 2-track demo that we recorded with our mate Dan the kiwi, in his house. I think it sounds pretty awesome for something that was basically done on the cheap. Go have a listen.

OFF THE STAGE

When did you decide you had to be a musician, and how did you go about it?
I heard Iron Maiden's "Loneliness of The Long Distance Runner" when I was 12, and knew that that was what I wanted to do. The final turning point, I guess, was when I was 14, on a camp for 'problem teenagers' and they made us figure out what we wanted to do more than anything else, and I just wanted to rock the fuck out. I used to go busking with my mate Tim, outside the local supermarket, when I was about 16. That was when I hung up the guitar and started singing.

What was your first band name and what style did you play?
The first band I was involved with was called Naked Fish, and we played one gig that was so fucking awful that we broke up afterwards. It was pretty bad, I ripped off heaps of riffs from bands like The Queers, Jesus and Mary Chain, and the Cassandra Complex, Mr Bungle. I guess it was basically just a mess, but it was certainly an experience.

Tell us three albums you couldn’t live without in your collection
Descendents 'Somery',
Fugazi 'In on The Killtaker',
I-Spy 'Perversity is Spreading'.
I haven't heard a couple of those for a while, but they'll always be there when I need them.

Best piece of musical advice you’ve been given
My Dad always told me that if I was going to do something, then I should do it properly. That's how I live my life now.

Two groups/artists you’d love to take out on the road
Twin City Faction (November, Melbourne, look out!), I'd love to tour with A Wilhelm Scream.

Favourite song of your group?
The new song I woke up with in my head this morning, it fucking cranks - just you wait!

The thing you most look forward to just before a tour is
This has to be answered in the past tense I guess, but when I was touring with Game Over it was the anticipation of watching amazing bands night after night, drinking in the van, singalongs breaking out, meeting awesome friendly new people and having the time of my life. I am looking forwar to all of those things with Rex Banner, I think it's going to rule.

The thing you least look forward to before a tour is
The shit days where you just don't want to be there, but you don't have any choice and you have to push it all down and do your fucking job.

When your not doing band related stuff, what are you usually found doing?
Working, reading books, watching movies, and hanging out with my fiancee. We just spent two and a half years traveling the world together, so now we're back in Australia I want to get into more bushwalking, camping, swimming, beach stuff etc. But really, I tend to go and watch more bands haha.

ON THE STAGE / ROAD

What gear do you use?
Whatever mic they've got hooked up to their PA.

Favourite place (city/town/country) you’ve toured… and why?
Adelaide always rules, Brisbane goes off too on a good night, but Sydney was always the most fun and has the best people.

Favourite venue to perform at… and why?
For me, probably my backyard! Awesome fun, and no bullshit - no promoters, no booking agents, no hassles, just good honest rock and fucking roll. Also, The Annandale rules, The Sando has a great vibe, and the bar staff at The Empire are pretty much the best.

Who hogs the stereo in the van the most?
We'll tell ya in a couple of months!

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?
Me, and it'd be cheap booze and dirty socks and other rock and roll accessories haha

Who in your group has the worst “bad habit” on tour, and what is it?
See stereo question, but I fart pretty bad after a night on the beerz, Loukas gets grumpy and Kelly gets belligerent.

Most embarrassing moment on tour?
Stolen from Rise Against dude, but I'm pretty clumsy and tend to knock all out drinks over, fall onto shit and whatnot. Give us a couple of months and I'll give you a couple of stories

Give us a good quick ‘on the road’ story, funny, embarrassing, memorable, whatever…
I'm gonna leave this one til after we get some miles under our belts as a collective...

RIGHT NOW

What’s getting the most spins in your stereo right now?
The Bronx, Strike Anywhere, A Wilhelm Scream, Rock and Roll Weapon, and a whole bunch of local bands who all fucking rule...

Tell us a band or artist everyone should check out and why…
(stolen from Rise Against again) A Wilhelm Scream. They’re pretty fucking rad.

If you could change one thing about the music industry today, what would it be?
Less talk, More Rock. Less manufactured bullshit, less makeup, less fashion, more passion, more fire, more rock and roll. It's obvious that all these stupid kids actually pay attention to all these losers from the USA, so maybe if we can offer the real deal they'll get the message and think for themselves.