Formed in condemned venues and closed-down coffee houses out of stardust and silicone, The Lockhearts are the archetype band of brothers, looking for solace in opium den blues and hard rock swagger.
Fronted by Tim Meaco (vocals/ guitar), with Jameel Majam (bass), Samuel Sheumack (guitar) and Steve 'Woodie' Woodward (drums), The Lockhearts formed in Sydney’s inner west over a shared love of Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones, Tom Petty and hot sauce.
They began crafting their signature bell-bottom swagger and delivering explosive performances over an 18-month residency at Sydney’s Brighton Up Bar. The result of that sweaty-brow work is their debut album, 'Americana Doom Fuzz', which they release tomorrow (13 April).
We had a chat with bass player Jameel Majam about the release and the group's love of Harry Potter. Serious.
“I’m upset [our album is] not the rebirth of barbershop, but there’s always next record.”
How excited are you guys days away from the release of your debut album?
(Jameel) More excited than when they announced the last 'Harry Potter' movie would be in 3D! Every band's first album is usually my favourite because you can hear the attitude and hunger. I hope we’ve captured some of that goodness.
With the album, 'Americana Doom Fuzz', out this Friday, are you all happy with the final product?
Definitely happy. I think it’s a pretty good representation of what we sound like. I hope it lives up to expectations… Unlike that last 'Harry Potter' movie that Hoyts refused to refund me for.
How did the album first start taking shape? What was the first step/s to creating 'Americana Doom Fuzz'?
We went away and stopped playing live for awhile and just concentrated on new songs, writing them, playing them, changing them and demoing them.
We ended up with something pretty eclectic and then made a record because my mum really wanted one to show her friends.
When you began work on your debut album, did you have a pre-defined path of how you wanted the record to end up sounding?
We all had an idea of what we wanted the record to sound like and some of those differ, but I think it all changes once you start getting into it and that’s a good thing. I’m upset it’s not the rebirth of barbershop, but there’s always next record.
The fusion of classic '80s-sounding rock with big, rolling country-esque ballads; it's an interesting mix. Obviously, the group's shared love of Tom Petty, Rolling Stones and Aerosmith shines through?
Yes. We like all those bands. Oh, and Zeppelin. Zeppelin rules. Also The Be Sharps. Timeless.
How important was the Brighton Up Bar residency to crafting, birthing the songs that would end up making the final cut?
There is only one song on the record we played at the residency. I can tell you an 18-month residency is pretty tiring but will make you a better band. I mean it worked for Jet and The Beatles.
The most important lesson I learnt from that residency is that loneliness and cheeseburgers are a dangerous mix.
In the studio, did you work with a producer/s or did you tackle that aspect in-house?
The record is co-produced by Jon Boy Rock and Mo Majam (my older brother). We did quite a bit of pre-production where we literally turned songs upside down, pushed them too far then either came back to a sweet spot or the beginning. It can be uncomfortable, but sometimes that’s a good place to be.
How did those guys influence the final product?
This is a bit hard to put into words. Not just because I find English unpossible [sic], but because we recorded so long ago. I’d say they definitely had an influence in the final product, but also helped us achieve what we wanted as they’re pretty like-minded when it comes to music. Put it this way – we couldn’t have done it without them.
You have a quick, east-coast tour planned to promote the new album; what can punters expect from The Lockhearts on stage at the moment?
Guitars, bass, drums, keys, saxophone and a dog with shifty eyes we’ve acquired to stand on-stage for aesthetic.
Life on the road, do you prefer that environment or the sanctuary of the studio?
Personally, I prefer the road. Not to say I don’t mind finishing my bass parts and then eating lamingtons for the next two weeks, but I do love going to towns where they call me sir without adding “you’re making a scene”.
You are heading off on a European tour at the end of May; 8 shows in 9 nights with fellow NSW rockers The Lazys. What kinda fun/ trouble are you lot looking to make?
Well, if it’s anything like that time Leon (The Lazys) and I tried watching the Boxing Day test together and ended up clearing out our bank accounts… I’d say it’s going to be like a health retreat.
Image © FacebookOne of your Facebook photos features the group reading Harry Potter books... favourite book and why?
Personally, my favourite is 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban'. Hermione slapped Malfoy. That’s my answer. No joke. One hundred per cent sirius [sic].
'Americana Doom Fuzz' is out via Golden Robot Records and is released Friday 13 April. Spooky.
The Lockhearts Tour Dates
Fri 20 Apr - The Lansdowne (Sydney)Sat 21 Apr - Cherry Bar (Melbourne)
Fri 11 May - The Bearded Lady (Brisbane)
Sun 13 May - Mo's Desert Clubhouse (Gold Coast)
Sat 19 May - Meltdown Festival (Sydney)
