Hey, my friend Rory is here. He want s to ask you a question. [I pass the phone to Rory. He's really drunk] Rory: Hey Matt, how ya going? Good.
'Cos when I saw you guys in San Dieg o you said it was eight months since you played. And you could tell too, I mean that show wasn't very good. But it was so much fun, I can't wait. We're doing this tour with this band called High On Fire.
Rory: At this time of year I usually think of the Pogues' “Fairytale in New York”. So my question is what song reminds you of Chris tmas? I usually watch that movie Lethal Weap on.
High On Fire? Oh, they're amazing. They're like this stoner-metal band. They're unbelievable. But umm yeah, we leave on January 15th for that tour.
Rory: Lethal Weapon reminds you of Christmas? You know what, that movie opens up with that chick naked on the balcony, and that song “Jing le-Bell Rock”. I fucking love that song! “Jing le bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock…” [Rory passes the phone back to me while Matt is still singing “Jingle-Bell Rock”. I have no idea what is going on!]
So you're doing a little tour pre-recor d release? Yeah, we're doing a little pre-tour, then we come back from that, then The Drips are going out, and then The Bronx are going on tour.
Do you know what time it is in Aust ralia? It's 5:30am 'cos James told me it's the best time to call. I asked James, 'cos I couldn't get through to you.
Are you going to make it all the way around the states on The Bronx tour or are you just doing the west coast? No, it's pretty gnarly. We play every singl e night for like 35 nights, and there are no days off.
Rory: James doesn't know shit, dude
So how are you going to entertain yourself for one entire month in Australia? That won't be hard at all. We've got a lot of friends in Australia. There's a lot of great bars and people and clubs and women and drugs and all that stuff. I'm sure the month will be amazing. I can't wait. I just want to live in Australia. Well, I'm sorry to be the one to tell you, but since the last time you came there's been a shortage in drugs and women. Really? The last time we came there I just remember getting pulled out of a club on like three hits of ecstasy, and like not even know ing where I was, and getting thrown into a cab and being driven to the airport. And when I came to I was in the middle of a thirteen-hour flight. I was drunk! Have you guys ever been to Perth? No, y'know I hope we get to go there this time. You know who I'm looking forward to seein g? My friend Mel, you know Mel Bampton from Triple J? She is really, really great every time we come there. She takes us out, gets us drunk, she's awes ome.
No! There's this guy who lives in Brisb ane called James Straker. I don't know. Maybe I know him?
So Jorma told me about this time that Joby took all these painkillers and then dran k all this rum on a flight? Yeah, he was on a flight and there was this steward who was gay. Y'know, nothing major, but he took a liking to Joby. So what happened was Joby and this guy get talking and then he brings over this bottle of rum. And during the flight he drank almo st this entire bottle of rum, and plus he'd taken all these Zanex and he just turned into a fucking zombie. And then when he got off the flight he was a total mess in front of customs. We had to put his headphon es on and tell him not to talk. He couldn't even walk , it was fucking hilarious.
That's not one of our questions, by the way. So what's the question?
What country you were entering? I think we were coming in to Australia,
.
No, Rory, not James Straker, I mea n James from The Bronx. Hey Matt, do you know this guy from Brisbane calle d James Straker? What? James Straker. Am I a streaker?
I heard you were planning on doin g two weeks in Australia with The Bronx and two week s with The Drips. Hopefully. I was DJ-ing at this bar the other day and this drunk guy was asking if I have any punk rock. He was saying “Hey, have you heard this band called The Drips? They're fucking AWESOM E!!” That is so cool, man. I like it man. We never thought we'd get to tour with The Drips, we just wanted to put a record together. So you did The Drips record, and then The Bronx record? We've got two more songs to go on The Bronx.
“W e' ve got a lot of
friends o ver in
Australia. There's a
lot of great bars and people and clubs and women and drugs and all that stuff.” - Matt
actually.
So that's how you get through Aust ralian customs? Just put headphones on and don't talk? Yeah, I'm pretty sure it was Australia. Don't tell that to the “terrorists”. So when do you think you're going to finish your voca ls? I want to have everything done by Janu ary 1st. So you only have a few more days , so rock it, dude. Thanks for doing the interview . Thanks.
For all I know The Bronx's new albu self-titled just like their first one wasm, which is incomplete.... Review in UB #3. Maybe., is still
Is that what you've been doing the last week? That's what I've been doing the last mont h. Is that why I keep thinking you're asleep, 'cos you've been singing too much on The Bronx album? Yeah. Do you... like it? I wouldn't have it any other way, I love
it!
Did you go to Joby's wedding? Yeah, it was so cool. He got married, and then we all got very drunk. It was the perfect wedding. He's in Jamaica right now smoking a whole bunc h of pot. I wish I was in Jamaica right now. Yeah, me too. So what are you looking forward to when you come on tour? I'm just looking forward to everything . I just can't wait to get out and start playing again , I miss it.
Pic: Silvana Macarone
UNBELIEVABLY BAD
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