THE CHATS // BEHIND THE BAND

4573 represent! Shed rockers The Chats have been in all the major news outlets of late, with whats deemed to be a one hit wonder. I was lucky enough to catch up Eamon Sandwith lead vocalist and bassist to ask him about their second EP (released in late July) and more insight about what goes into the band behind the scenes.

//Can you give us a brief history of the band and releases?//

Yep, we started playing music together halfway through 2016. We put out our first EP in November 2016 and our second EP in July 2017. We were a four piece when we began but we’re a three piece now.

//How did the band originate?//

We were all in the same music class in high school. We’d all been mates for years but it never really occurred to us to start a band until our last year of school. When we graduated we thought we may as well keep playing music together, because it was a heap of fun.

//What's the first band who made you love music?//

For me, it was Nirvana. I hardly listen to em at all anymore, but as an angsty little pre-teen I frothed em. I remember learning all the songs on "Nevermind" on a shitty little nylon string acoustic guitar when I was 11.

//Who inspires you to make music now?//

A whole bunch of bands. Too many to name. But other than that, just ourselves really. Pricey and Matt are always inspiring me to write songs.

//What are some of the most important things you have learned while being together?//

We’ve learned how to write better songs, structure them better, and play them better live. Having said that, we’re still learning new things about being in a band every day.

//How do you view your band now as apposed to when you started?//

When we were starting I viewed the band as kind of a joke, just another shitty high school band. Now we’re still kind of a joke, but not in high school anymore. Nah, we’ve definitely grown as a band, and we can take ourselves a bit more seriously now.

//What's your favourite venue to play?//

So far, Miami Shark Bar. Great sound, great staff, and always a great crowd there.

//Can you explain what goes on during the writing process?//

Sometimes I’ll write a song at home, bring it to the boys the next time I see em and then the song’s complete. Or, other times, one of us will start jamming on a riff or a drum beat, and it’ll just all come together from there.

//Can you explain the recording process you go through?//

For the first EP, we were unable to live track, so we had to record everything separately. We recorded drums first, then bass, then guitars, then vocals. It’s a lot more time consuming and doesn’t have the same feel as live tracking does. So when we were recording the second EP, we made sure we could live track in the studio, which was way quicker and was a much more enjoyable process. Then we get someone to mix and master the tracks to make em squeaky clean. For the first EP this was Fin Wegener, but for the second it was Michael Currie.

//What does this release mean to you?//

Our second EP "Get This In Ya" is way better than our first and much more representative of us a band. It’s cool to have something like that as a time capsule, something I can look back on in 20 years and think, “Fuck I was sick.”

//What does the scene mean to you?//

The Sunny Coast barely has any scene. There’s a few good bands around but hardly any good venues. The only live music venue people go to is Solbar, and we’re banned from there (not that we’re complaining, that place sucks) so we struggle a bit to find gigs around here. Having said that, Australia’s underground music scene is thriving at the moment, and it keeps us motivated an inspired.

//If you could change one thing about the scene, what would it be?//

I’d make more venues all ages, so more kids can get amongst it. I’d also make drinks cheaper. I’d also make sure NO security guards were dickheads to patrons. The last one’s pretty out there but a boy can dream can’t he?

//What song means the most to you?//

If we’re talking about our own songs, probably 'Temperature'. I wrote that when I had a lung infection, and I was sick as a dog.

//What's your favourite song to play live?//

'Bus Money'. When it picks back up after slowing down, everyone just starts going off.

//Why do you play music?//

Because I’m shit at everything else.

//Would you encourage people reading this to start bands?//

Yeah of course. The world needs music.

//What advice do you have for new bands?//

Keep writing, keep practicing, keep playing. Don’t worry about what people think and don’t give up.

//How important is it to network with other bands?//

Very important. Bands need each other more than you'd think.

#TheChats