With their debut EP 'Addition' freshly minted and available on DSPs from today, Karoshi are a duo of Brisbane-based music veterans (with many years of experience with other bands between them) who are exploring creative paths between rock, industrial music and drum & bass.
With heavy guitars, heavy synths, heavy beats and heavy attitude (with extra emphasis on the heavy!), Karoshi attack all the senses with an overload of sounds that'll leave you with no choice but to dance.The pairing of David Gale and Mark Lingane work strictly under the golden rule of 'can you dance to it?' to ensure big beats are front and centre before filling in the blanks with a wide range of influences and styles.
Who is Karoshi... Karoshi is a Brisbane-based duo who mix EDM, metal, rap and dance to generate a new kind of music, focusing on danceability and high energy on every track.
We sound like...
Mark: A cross between The Prodigy, Pendulum and Art vs Science.
Dave: We are a rock band; we are a dance band.
Our first gig is...
M: Not yet planned. I've just started learning the songs! The benefit of recording the tracks first is that you can instantly forget them.
D: IS going to be awesome; can't wait to get these tracks pumping through some large front-of-house [speakers].
When did you settle on the group's name, and was it a unanimous decision...
M: Dave came up with the name, mainly because it took ages for us to actually meet due to work being so busy. A good, appropriate name.
In the studio we usually...
M: Record stuff. And many hours of post-production.
D: Record guitars and vocals then tweak sounds. We've already done the sequencing and structure and everything beforehand.
If we could tour with anyone...
M: The Prodigy or The Qemists.
D: Faith No More, just because it's Faith No More.
Social media is...
M: Vital but drains every waking second. As a direct link to listeners and fans there is nothing better, but there is so much to keep on top of. It's uplifting to see the responses come in as well.
My favourite app at the moment is...
D: nrl.com to get footy scores while I am at the park with my daughter (of course I'm watching you, honey).
To date, my most embarrassing moment was the time...
M: Gig-wise, in a previous band we were performing at the Taipan Room in Perth. We were an electro-industrial band and were put on a bill with metal bands. A band without guitars was such an affront to the audience. We didn't get booed, but it must have been close. The silence was painful. Got slaughtered in the comments section of a band message board.
D: I recall playing in Forbes (with another band) the same night as the local football team captain's birthday, so there were only two people in attendance in their large RSL auditorium, so we got them up on the stage and basically played their requests, let them sing with us and it was very interactive.
Life on the road can be...
M: Testing. When you tour with a range of people, you often find some more challenging than others. If you don't get on, or if some are there for reasons other than the music, it can sour pretty quickly.
If you'll have us on your bill, all we ask is that our rider contains...
M: I don't like to have anything before a show. I prefer to hang out in the venue feeling the vibe grow as people come in.
D: Couple of beers, couple of waters, don't need much to be happy. In another band, we asked for a chocolate cake when we played Soundwave and it was (surprisingly) provided.
The most scary scenario I've found myself in, was...
M: Man, there have been so many. From backpacking in some dodgy areas in Europe, to being mugged, to gigs where there has been a full-on bikie riot.
D: Many years ago, playing in a covers band in the western suburbs of Sydney was very uncomfortable due to the clientele. I rang our booking agent in the first break and tore them a new one for making us go there.
If you had to live in a city abroad, where would you choose and why?
M: Calvi (on the west coast of Corsica). It's basically an alp in the middle of the Mediterranean. You have the synergy of French and Italian culture. It's a place you'll never forget.
D: I love San Francisco, and there are always tons of gigs to go to and the vibe of the city is fantastic, but maybe somewhere in Europe would be cool for festival season, as they are all a lot closer together. Or maybe in Shanghai for the food or Osaka for the people, they are so cool. Having said that – would love to retire on an island somewhere where I can go diving daily.
Three people you'd like to invite around for a dinner party...
M: Preferably ones that are alive. David Lynch (you need to ask?). Trent Reznor (industry contacts! Not really. He has a cerebral way of looking at music). Greta Thunberg (because she needs to be heard).
D: Would be happy with some mates that I haven't seen for a while. Catch up, reminisce, have a beer and play cards.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us?
M: Nothing wrong with a good ol' BBQ.
D: I would make my enchiladas, they are spectacular.
When it comes to pets are you a lover or hater of our furry friends?
M: I'm a dog person. Had many over the years.
D: Love animals, have had pet turtles, dogs, cats, guinea pigs, fish and a snake.
No matter the expense, send me a case of...
M: International importance. No point in messing around. If you're a spy pretending to be a musician, you can worm your way into any party and find out all the darkest secrets.
D: You can bribe me simply with a case of my Big Boyz (Asahi 500ml cans).
The last time I saw the inside of a gym was...
M: January, but I have been running. It's a good time to free your mind and get ideas.
D: No thank you.
What's the one chore you dislike the most?
M: Reinstalling software.
D: Cleaning the bathroom. I will iron, do washing, hang clothes out, bring them in and put them away, wash dishes, vacuum and everything else happily, but just don't like cleaning the bathroom.
Do you have any phobias...
M: No. The fears I have are all rational.
D: No phobias – I don't like spiders but do find them very interesting.
Would you ever partake in a reality show?
M: Nope. Not for a million.
D: Reality TV shows have made the world stupider. Would go postal if I had to do it.
Best local takeaway joint for a 2am feed that will leave you with a food coma?
M: Haven't had one of those in decades. Back in Perth, Captain Munchies in Freo was about the best place.
D: Used to get a good kebab outside the Bayview Tavern in Gladesville (Sydney) many years ago, but that was because we asked the owner what they have on their kebabs when they make one for themselves, and they went out back and brought out the good gear.
Which fictional character best describes your personality (why)?
D: Charlie Mackenzie (Mike Myers' character from 'So, I Married an Axe Murderer'). In my youth, I dumped girls for a variety of petty reasons so when I first watched that movie I realised how dumb I was.
Last show you binge-watched (and what kept you glued to the screen)?
M: 'Line Of Duty'. We came to it late (series 4) and had to catch up on the previous. The tension is astounding.
D: 'Brooklyn Nine Nine' – so random, so quotable, and even though I have watched it so much I know the words it still makes me laugh out loud.
