Although a relatively new band, having formed in 2020, Melbourne's Subterranean Deadbeats keep their rock & roll old school, like it's 1979.
A sound that harnesses garage blues, the band recently released the single 'Hang Me Out To Dry that'll they launch on 7" vinyl with a hometown show next month. The record will also feature B-side track 'As Above, So Below'."We're young," Deadbeats vocalist and guitarist, Chris Taranto says. "We've only been making music together for a few years, but we know what's what. We're putting these songs out now, on vinyl, because the world needs more edge.
"People spend too much time online avoiding contact with each other, Spotify's stealing every new artist's content to make the big end of town rich, so we thought we'd do something about it.
"We know we're swimming against a tide of slick pop and TikTok moments, but we don't care, we know we've got something special."
Who is... Subterranean Deadbeats is a group of rock & roll scallywags that reside in the south side of Melbourne/ Narrm. The band was started during 2020 by Chris Taranto and Ben George, playing old blues songs on harp and guitar. The band eventually evolved and grew into a more garage punk outfit, which the new four track EP clearly shows.
After playing a round of pub shows through Melbourne venues, The Deadbeats went back into the studio in 2023 with Richard Putnam at The Reverie Studios to record the latest, 'Spewing Voodoo', which is out now on Bandcamp with a 7-inch record due to be available on 1 August. The current line-up features Taranto and George alongside Joe Cunliffe and Rick Student.
We sound like... The sound is pretty raw but with catchy songs; some have said it sounds like The Wiggles on crack.
Our first gig was... As a full band outfit, the first show was at George Lane, St. Kilda.
When did you settle on the group's name, and was it a unanimous decision... It was a play on words. I love the Bob Dylan song 'Subterranean Homesick Blues' and I loved that word 'subterranean'; it sounds vintage, I like that – and 'Deadbeats' is a given I suppose when you have given your soul to a rock band.
In the studio we usually... Need an arvo beer.
If we could tour with anyone... The Black Lips or The Pixies.
Social media is... Not great but at times a necessity; personally I'd love to have it abolished so we could go back to socialising in real time, not online.
My favourite app at the moment is... My voice/ memos app; it's handy when I'm writing banger guitar riffs.
To date, my most embarrassing moment was the time... The time the crutch in my jeans decided to give way; I had big rip while playing onstage, lucky I was wearing undies unlike Lenny Kravitz!
Life on the road can be... It can be everything: lonely, fun, exciting – depends where you are!
If you'll have us on your bill, all we ask is that our rider contains... A slab of Peroni and maybe some Guinness for The King (Joe).
The most scary scenario I've found myself in, was... Having a PA nearly blow up in my face!
What celebrity/ famous person would you love to be spokesperson of the band... Corey Feldman. I think he would really get the Deadbeats vision, he'd probably have to teach me some of those killer dance moves too.
If you had to live in a city abroad, where would you choose and why? Maybe Madrid. I love the people and they are passionate about music; also there's nothing like swimming in the Mediterranean after a big night.
Three people you'd like to invite around for a dinner party... Buddy Guy, Kid Congo, Steve Martin – purely just to have a jam and shoot the sh.t.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us? Most likely a Sicilian style pizza.
When it comes to pets are you a lover or hater of our furry friends? Lover.
No matter the expense, send me a case of... Beer.
The last time I saw the inside of a gym was... Many moons ago. I'd rather lift paint tins at home, like Rocky.
What's the one chore you dislike the most? Clipping my cats long-arse nails – he just doesn't let me!
Do you have any phobias... Big spiders. Childhood trauma of always opening my eyes in the morning and seeing a big one on my wall.
Would you ever partake in a reality show? 'Deal Or No Deal' so I can fund the Deadbeats record.
If you could prank any of your friends, who's your target, and how are you bringing them down? Maybe Jerry. Not entirely sure yet, but it's gotta be Jerry.
Best local takeaway joint for a midnight feed that will leave you with a food coma? Dave's Chinese.
Which fictional character best describes your personality? Marvin the Martian, purely just because he is from Mars and so am I.
Last show you binge-watched? Oh 'Baby Reindeer'. It was pretty wild, sometimes disturbing but I had to keep watching.
Subterranean Deadbeats launch the 'Hang Me Out To Dry' 7" vinyl at George Lane (Melbourne) on 1 August. The vinyl will then be at select local vinyl stores including Greville Street Records in Prahan.
