Perth band The Tommyhawks will bring a local flavour to Hotter Than Hell, when the touring rock festival hits Dunsborough Tavern (WA) later this month.
An all-female four-piece, fronted by mesmerising frontwoman Addison Axe, The Tommyhawks have been forged and sharpened by endless hours on the road together in less-than-ideal conditions.
After three EPs, the self-described scruffy bunch renowned for super-tight, explosive live performances are now on the verge of releasing their debut album 'Underground Raptor' in March.
We catch up with saxophonist and vocalist Thea Woodward to chat new music, live shows and some of the worst times they've spent in crappy tour vans.
Your recent single 'Critical' was released last year; have you been happy with the response?
Yeah, it’s a super-fun one to play live too so it’s been a goodie to release as the first track. We received a [WAM Awards] nomination for Song Of The Year for it, which we were totally stoked about; so somewhere out there someone likes it too, we guess.
Your debut album 'Underground Raptor' is due in March; are the new songs and album vastly different to your previous three EPs?
Not vastly per se; it’s still our sound but it’s a little less bluesy, a little more pop. We’re feeling a shift in our style of playing which I guess comes from just spending more time together; and of course drawing on different, current social issues.
What's the most important thing people should know about this album?
The album is like a Ferrero Rocher. The core is a gooey mess of anxiety; that biscuity bit is the vulnerability – kinda breakable. Rolled in chunks of paranoia, fear and panic; and then that deceptive, sweet coating. If you don’t like Ferrero Rocher, I promise you’ll still like the album.
How is the band feeling about playing the Hotter Than Hell show with Spiderbait, Jebediah, Killing Heidi and 28 Days?
Can’t wait.
What will your set at Hotter Than Hell be like?
Hotter… than the sand at Dunsborough Bay on a 40-degree day. But a bit cooler than hell.
Looks like Ness (Vanessa Thornton) will be pulling double duty with The Tommyhawks and Jebediah?
We’re trying to convince her to pull out of the Jebs gig, so that she can put 100 per cent into Hawks. Relax, we wouldn’t do that.
What is the one thing you can't live without while touring?
In no particular order: hairspray, gaffa tape, dexis, beer, make-up wipes, 1kg tubs of hummus, and an ice-bucket for long drives.
It's said the band have a “penchant for picking the sh.tiest camper van to tour in”; what's the shitiest vehicle you've toured in, and how sh.tty was it?
Well, one time we got an upgrade and it had an actual toilet in it.
Which was AMAZING, except we forgot to empty it and after a few days of being parked in the one spot we left to drive out of Sydney (after a particularly big night) then realised we had three days of festering summer post-drinking wees sploshing out as we hit that part of the highway where you can’t pull over.
You cannot begin to imagine the smell. Let's just say that aforementioned ice-bucket came in handy for those mid-highway voms [sic].
Worst place for the van to break down?
We woke up to a flat tyre one time after we’d slept the night in the car park of a senior’s gym. Four girls standing 'round in their knickers trying to change a tyre might’ve caused a few heart palpitations that morning.
Are there more live shows planned for 2019?
Heaps. Get along to our album launch with Jack Davies and the Bush Chooks at the Navy Club in Freo 9 March.
The Tommyhawks play Hotter Than Hell 2019 at Dunsborough Tavern (WA) 23 February.
The Tommyhawks 2019 Tour Dates
Sat 9 Mar - The Navy Club (Fremantle)Thu 14 Mar - Crown and Anchor (Adelaide)
Fri 15 Mar - The Loft (Warrnambool)
Sat 16 Mar - The Bridge (Castlemaine)
Sun 17 Mar - The Tote (Melbourne)
Tue 19 Mar - Republic Bar (Hobart)
Thu 21 Mar - Frankie's Pizza (Sydney)
Fri 22 Mar - Smiths Alternative (Canberra)
Sat 23 Mar - The Northern (Byron Bay)
Sun 24 Mar - Flow Bar (Old Bar, NSW)
Thu 28 Mar - Vinnies Dive Bar (Gold Coast)
Fri 29 Mar - Solbar (Sunshine Coast)
Sat 30 Mar - Lefty's Old Time Music Hall (Brisbane)
Sun 31 Mar - Eddie's Grub House (Gold Coast)
Fri 5 Apr - Lucy's Love Shack (Perth)
