Two-piece rock outfit Old Mervs are arguably the biggest act in Australia you haven't heard yet.
Riding at the peak of a surf-rock renaissance, the duo sold out a string of huge rooms throughout 2021 and 2022 and have been winning fans across the country with their no-nonsense songwriting and country-lad charm.Ahead of their showcase at BIGSOUND next week and appearance at inaugural three-day music event Wanderer Festival, the lads sit down for a chat that includes guzzling Subway's post-mix Coke, dreaming of appearing on 'The Bachelor' and nerding out about aeroplanes.
We sound like... Rowdy, fun indie rock with plenty of melodies.
Our first gig was... 459 Perth with Ra Ra Viper.
When did you settle on your artistic name… 2018. It was in tribute of my childhood pet dog named Mervin and naturally occurred through conversation.
In the studio we usually... Spend lots of time annoying each other while discussing important elements of the process. We also drink a lot of post-mix coke from Subway and eat a bunch of their cookies too.
If we could tour with anyone... Probably a mate's band because it would be a childhood dream moment fulfilled, touring together and living our dream.
Social media is... Demanding but also fun to use at times. Good to show your character. Also addictive unfortunately.
Our favourite app at the moment is... Probably Instagram, because it's all we know how to use. We're technologically limited in the social media space.
To date our most embarrassing moment was the time... We played our own song completely wrong and there were even people in the front row singing the right lyrics while we were all over the place.
Life on the road can be... Interesting and expensive at times. But we both froth over planes, so we enjoy checking out all the models and that at the airport.
The most scary scenario we've found ourselves in, was... Opening for Liam Gallagher at HBF Arena in Perth last month.
What celebrity/ famous person would you love to be spokesperson of the band... Sacha Baron Cohen.
If you had to live in a city abroad, where would you choose and why? Probably somewhere in Hawaii because it's nice and there's good surf.
Three people you'd like to invite around for a dinner party... Liam Gallagher, any Freo Dockers player and Noel Gallagher.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us? Carbonara is both of our speciality and it's very healthy.
When it comes to pets are you a lover or hater of our furry friends? Lover (mainly of dogs).
No matter the expense, send me a case of... Emu Export.
The last time we saw the inside of a gym was... What's a gym?
What's the one chore you dislike the most? Probably mopping, it's genuinely hard.
Do you have any phobias... Snakes and mice.
Would you ever partake in a reality show? Yes, Dave wants to go on 'The Bachelor' to find his future wife one day.
If you could prank any of your friends, who's your target, and how are you bringing them down? Each other. We'd probably be wiring the brake pedal to the horn on the other person's car. That one goes alright.
Which fictional character best describes your personality? The dudes from 'Dumb & Dumber'.
Last show you binge-watched? 'Big Timber' on Netflix. Lots of big machinery we like!
Old Mervs showcase at BIGSOUND (Brisbane), which runs 6-9 September. They also feature as part of the inaugural Wanderer Festival (South Coast), which runs 23-25 September.
Wanderer Festival 2022 Line-up
Music Programme
Ziggy AlbertsDMA'S
The Teskey Brothers
The Dandy Warhols
Confidence Man
Curtis Harding
Winston Surfshirt
Wolfmother
Sarah Blasko
Jack River
DZ Deathrays
Josh Pyke
Pierce Brothers
Emma Donovan and The Putbacks
Didirri
The Dreggs
Harvey Sutherland
Isabella Manfredi
The Grogans
Grentperez
Hayley Mary
Alice Ivy
The Vanns
B Wise
Maddy Jane
Muroki
Old Mervs
Maple Glider
Cookin' On 3 Burners
Bakers Eddy
Jess Ribeiro
Body Type
Pania
Cousin Tony's Brand New Firebird
Felicity Dowd
Robyn Martin
Tall Shaun and The Resolution Blues
Magic Machine
Heath Cullen
Anactoria
Gabadu
Djinama Yilaga
Benji and The Saltwater Soundsystem
Bega Sound Collective
The Scaramouche
Bega Valley Men's Choir
Arts Programme
Die Roten PunkteWerk It
Mario Queen Of The Circus
Geraldine Hickey
Children Are Stinky
Dr Hubble's Bubble Show
La Petite Grande
The Burnt Sausages
Monster Siege
Bed Sheet Ghost Party
This Is Me Bunting
Frankentoys
We Shaped Up Like This
Cephalopods
The Beep Test Of Mythical Beings
Face Paint By Children
Karaoke
Alex Ward
Shaquille Aldridge and the Duurunu Miru Dancers
Lizzy Hoo
Sam's Caravan
The Big Lost Band
Lila's World
The Grandest Grand Final
Wiki People
Shapes and Sounds
Guess Who Tarot
Old Mervs 2022 Tour Dates
Thu 1 Sep - The Workers Club (Melbourne)Fri 2 Sep - The Workers Club (Melbourne)* sold out
Sat 3 Sep - Crown n Anchor (Adelaide)
Sat 10 Sep - Vinnies Dive Bar (Gold Coast)
Sun 11 Sep - Solbar (Sunshine Coast)
Thu 15 Sep - The Bearded Lady (Brisbane)
Fri 16 Sep - Waywards (Sydney)
Sat 17 Sep - Cambridge Hotel (Newcastle)
Sun 18 Sep - North Gong Hotel (Wollongong)
Fri 23 Sep - The Rechabite (Perth)
Fri 30 Sep - The River (Margaret River)
