With the band having been together in one form or another since 1999, Brisbane rockers Motorway Ends are returning from a sustained period of inactivity.
If you had to tell the bloke on the street what Motorway Ends sounds like, how would that conversation go?
Michael (guitar/ vocals): We have a hard, driving rock sound with a twin guitar, sonic assault over the top of it all... mmmm tasty!
Mark (guitar): Sounds of isolation and despair echoed with chiming guitar-based ambient rock.
Nick (bass): If you like Sonic Youth, Joy Division, Interpol and The Cure, you'll dig us.
The group has been around since NYE 1999 – with periods of inactivity and line-up changes... does much remain from those early years re: songs you include in the setlist?
Michael: We still do a couple of songs from those early days, notably 'Please Please' and 'Slipping Away'. These songs have evolved and morphed into something entirely different. I mean, at the very start of the band we were very much a 'pop' band and didn't really use distortion – oh how things change!
Nick: The past year we've got a new guitarist and been smashing gigs around town. We've been the most active and productive we been in the past three years.
You have a number of demos you recorded this month; do you have plans to record your an artist album/ EP?
Dave (drums): If some fool comes up with the money.
Michael: Yes, we plan to record in the new year after sending out our demo to all who might be interested in releasing some of our stuff.
Mark: We are always keen to record and perform. At the moment, we are going into a phase of creating new songs. It should be interesting to see what comes out of it, given the new line-up.
With two members from NZ, how influential has the Flying Nun label being on the band's sound?
Michael: The Flying Nun label has been very influential on the band's sound right from the start. As a songwriter growing up in NZ, I was blown away by bands such as The Clean, Bailter Space, The Verlaines, The Chills, This Kind Of Punishment/ Peter Jefferies etc. It is quite interesting 'feeding back' that sound, or elements of that sound, to local audiences who aren't as familiar with the Flying Nun thing. We get compared to all these random bands that we have never heard, from Blue Oyster Cult to Mudhoney, people like it, but they usually can't put their finger on who exactly we sound like!
You have an upcoming gig at The Bearded Lady with Mesmerisers and The Dirty F Holes in early December... what sort of night do you expect it to be?
Michael: Hot, sweaty, rocking, debauched... we are all honoured to be supported by such excellent local bands – and it is free entry; more cash for the punters to spend on sampling some yummy, craft beers ;-)
Mark: I hope there will be something slightly controversial that goes down. I mean, I don't want anything bad to happen or for anything to take away attention from the bands. Maybe like Nick admits that he has two dads or something.
The Brisbane indie landscape... do you interact with a lot of other bands?
Michael: We love being a part of the 'Urban Humm' community (West End practice rooms/ occasional venue), and get to know other bands from rehearsing there once a week. The local scene has been very supportive overall and something like the 'Rock and Roll' BBQ; when that was going, was fantastic for playing with, and meeting, other like-minded bands.
Mark: West End has an amazing live music scene. Motorways End both live in it and play in it.
Have you ever experienced a fan moment with Motorway Ends? How did it go?
Nick: We were called someone's favourite Australian band recently. That coming from someone we respect and admire was such a rewarding compliment. We hope that we don't disappoint.
An hour before going on stage, where can we usually find each member of the band, and what are their moods like?
Michael: We will probably be enjoying a tasty, beer-flavoured alcoholic beverage, and accordingly their moods will be relaxed and looking forward to the show.
Mark: Here is my perspective. The boys can be scattered or together, usually a combination. It's like being on stage playing though. We all know where we are and what we are doing, even if we are not looking at each other. The boys often go a bit quiet, gathering their thoughts I think. Very little conversation takes place. The mood is almost sombre. Michael has to get a nicotine fix immediately beforehand. When we hit the stage, we all know exactly what we are going to do.
2015 for the band... what does the band have planned? Interstate travel?
Michael: Melbourne is calling!
Dave: 2015 will probably bring recording and trips to Melbourne and/ or Sydney.
Mark: World domination on the back of one gig a month in Brisbane. Would be nice to play more often and maybe play in Melbourne. Would be good to get some air time on the radio.
If you could add an instrument, new element to the band what would it be, and why?
Michael: It would probably be keyboards. Keyboards have sex appeal.
Dave: More vocal variety. Backing vocals. I should practice.
Mark: Keys. And a backing vocalist. I can't play guitar and sing... much. But I have always loved keys and yet never played in a band that has them.
Nick: Harmonies, sweet-vocal harmonies.
What is Motorway Ends piece of advice for staying cool this summer?
Mark: I love a good ceiling fan, so sitting under that, with a cold beer, after a cool swim, with more beer in the fridge and not doing much accept watching the TV. Inactivity.
Michael: I recommend staying up late at night drinking coffee and then having a siesta during the hottest part of the day.
Dave: Go to the pub. See some bands and have a beer.
The lads of Motorway Ends are cooking scenestr breakfast... what are you serving up?
Michael: Bacon, eggs, hash browns, sausages, mushrooms, beans on toast covered in lashings of Hollandaise sauce.
Dave: In the morning I'm making waffles!!
Mark: Bacon and eggs, with mushrooms, rosti and tomato... all on the BBQ. Something for everyone. Oh, and champagne and orange juice . With some vodka...
Nick: Coffee.
Motorway Ends play The Bearded Lady on Saturday 6th December.
