Ukulele Death Squad offers everything you'd want in a band. Their impactful messages, engaging character, and genuine love of music make them truly a band to add to the bucket list.
Starting in 2015 as a duo, Julian and his friend Benjamin founded a band that was both unique and mesmerising, later expanding it to a four-piece ensemble. When COVID put a hold on their plans and borders separated them, Ukulele Death Squad improvised by bringing in musicians from other projects to keep the band playing.After the boarders opened up, they became an eight piece. "There's almost 50 per cent women now and we've got all sorts of diversity in the band, which is nice to give it a bit more depth," band member Steph states.
Their latest EP, 'Baby Don't F... With Me', transcends genre boundaries, addressing themes like body positivity, navigating push-pull relationships, and finding empowerment through self-love, all while maintaining a touch of silliness in their tracks.
"There's a few numbers that are a bit more R&B, but then we love to borrow from Balkan traditions," Steph says. "We've got horns, which having a brass section sort of gives it this big-band feel, but then the humble ukulele brings it back to the roots of the band as a ukulele orchestra as well."
Julian continues adding: "It's a very weird mix, but a fun, fun, magical mix. We're very much a live band, so it's always, it's kind of hard to capture what we do recorded."
After completing a run of sold-out shows in Australia, Ukulele Death Squad recently wrapped up playing Rudolstadt Festival in Germany, and a number of other German dates.
When conducting this interview, their journey had already proved to be an exciting adventure, filled with memorable shows and new experiences. "At one point, there was a storm that almost threatened to cancel the show completely," Steph talks about one of their German shows.
"But within 15 minutes, we were back onstage and performing to a huge audience who were very receptive and loved the frolicking on a very wet stage."
Playing bigger stages is something that Ukulele Death Squad are ready to get used to, with Julian adding: "Because we're used to being bunched up really close together, it was something else to have all this space onstage. It's very special. There's a real respect for musicians and what they do [in Europe]."
With their live show next coming to Adelaide and some more concerts in the planning, the band have promised new songs and some on-brand stage theatrics. "Maybe we're going to bring some more puddle work," quips Steph. "I think we really enjoyed that. At the very least, we might have some new music for everyone."
When crafting their set list, the band struggles with adding new songs without being able to remove old favourites. Matt talks about the set-list preparations that are often mediated by Steph.
"It's usually just like a meeting before [the show], and we get down to the detailed, orientated moment of what's the exact song that needs to go here, and what's the exact song that needs to be there.
"On this [European] tour, it's been happening in the van, and then we just scribble it out once we're there. Some serious debating, though."
One thing they can always agree on is their appreciation for their fans. From the fan art to the video edits, nothing goes unnoticed or under-appreciated with the band loving every creation.
Steph reminisced on some of the posts. "We had one fan make a little reel of Julian, the tenor ukulele player, riding a bicycle and then getting slapped by some sort of omnipotent hand that came out of the sky. It was quite hilarious."
Matt continues the theme of their generous fans. "There was even someone do some digital art that's up on our Instagram to 'Waterfall', which was really beautiful. It's like a sketch of different faces and portraits to that song, which was really lovely."
It takes one look at their social media to know a Ukulele Death Squad show is one that you don't want to miss. "We just really want people to have a really great time and be in the music with us and sing-along and dance-along," Ash says, "and also get that message of all types of bodies are sexy and all different experiences are worthwhile and just feel celebrated."
Ukulele Death Squad play Lion Arts Factory (Adelaide) on 19 October. The band also play Coondoo Mountain Midsummer Campout (Gympie Region) 13-15 September.
