The Oceanics will play at Transit Bar on November 1. Photo: Supplied
What are you listening to on the road? The Strokes, Phoenix, Real Estate, Phil Collins and Paul Simon (think African phase-Simon).
What's your favourite instrument? My left-handed, 1980 Gibson SG Standard. I recorded a lot of our last EP Bright People on it. I bought it on eBay for about $800, which anyone who knows about Gibsons will tell you is an absolute bargain.
How do you prepare for a gig? Before I learnt any kind of singing technique or warm up, I would generally just have a beer and pray to God that we would actually play to more than two or three of my cousins and the bar staff. Nowadays, I spend a good 15 minutes doing vocal warm ups and running through some of the harmonies.
What's your favourite post-gig pastime? A few months ago I would probably have said grabbing a beer and going out into the venue to pick up girls before the next (and often more famous) band came on stage and people no longer cared who we were. Call it maturity or whatever, but the last few gigs I've wanted nothing more than to sit down, relax, talk and laugh over beers with my bandmates, our sound engineer Tim and wild man Harves.
What's the greatest thing you have seen on stage? Last year we supported British India in Toowoomba and during their set some guy (at least we thought it was a guy) climbed on stage and started messing around with Nic, the guitarist, while he was mid solo. Within a few seconds, Nic spun around and cracked this person in the head with his guitar, sending them sprawling into the arms of a bouncer and swiftly out the door. After the show we saw the stage invader outside, and it turned out to be a woman. With a sore head.
What's your best piece of touring advice? Do not drink heavily every single night. Your voice will give out after about two nights, you will get sick, you will not enjoy getting up at 6am, and you will destroy the toilets in your respective hotel rooms. There is nothing wrong with having a night off for the sake of playing well the next night.
Who are your musical heroes? Andy is right into Beach House and Bombay Bicycle Club, Elliot loves everything the Strokes stand for and Tom is a massive fan of skilled and experienced engineers such as Wayne Connolly. I personally would cite Slash, Mark Knopfler, the Kooks, Arctic Monkeys and Jimmy Barnes.
What's on your dream rider? Honestly, there are that many venues that completely ignore or overlook the concept of a ''rider''. All we ask for is a carton of beer, a green room and dinner.
Who would you most like to tour with? I have a feeling we would get on really well with Grinspoon, considering the stories I've been told by friends who have played with them. Phil Jamieson just seems like such a party boy.
Is there any music you don't listen to? I will never understand hardcore music, where the vocalist emits a deep roar for all lyrics as opposed to actual notes in any major or minor key. What's the point in writing lyrics if they can't even be understood?
What's your latest recording? We only just released a brand new single called The City.
What's your favourite gig of all time? Last year we opened for Sparkadia in Brisbane at Birdee [Num Num] in [Fortitude] Valley. The venue was at capacity from the beginning of our set, we were provided with free accommodation, a carton of beer and unlimited tap beers after the show, and we got to hang out with one of Australia's best bands.
What would be your dream touring destination? A sold-out run of dates in the US, finishing up in New York City with a wild rooftop after-party in which celebrities who we have spent years idolising would attend, having watched the show earlier in the night.
What would you be doing if you weren't a musician? Probably making a decent living, having a successful relationship with a female and making my parents proud.
What does the future hold? An album in 2013.
Oceanics
WITH: The Salvadors
WHERE: Transit Bar
WHEN: November 1
TICKETS: At the door
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