Image: Bad TeethMelbourne’s Gentlemen are a band who seem to wallow in a mephitic grease slick of despair and play the kind of noise punk that was drilling out of the Lower East Side back when it had more sociopaths than socialites. More recent references to the Gentlemen sound point to the Pygmy Shrews or San Francisco’s Mayyors. Regardless, it’s tweaked and distorted dirty-finger-nailed rock.The four piece will soon be releasing records on Swedish label Ken Rock and Japan’s Episode Sounds. Their new video for “Pro Famine” is full of white static, blurred vision, heavy guitar riffs and grinding teeth. It premieres here for the first time.We caught up with John (who is an amalgamation of every member of the band) to find out more.Noisey: You have upcoming releases on Swedish and Japanese labels. That's a big jump from the streets of East Brunswick.
John: The Pro Famine record on Swedish label Ken Rock was actually supposed to come out over a year ago. The label who was originally putting it out is no longer active which is unfortunate but completely understandable considering the circumstances. The record was then passed on to a French company who again dropped it at the eleventh hour. This time it was for reasons they refused to discuss, but it’s fair to assume that they developed some insecurities about the records title and artwork. After that we wrote to Ken Rock and the record was sent to press within days. The whole experience was really gruelling but ultimately for the best because Ken Rock is an incredible imprint.The Japanese record was released by a long time fan of the band who we had only ever had correspondence with over Soundcloud. In the beginning it was pretty unnerving to work so closely with someone we knew very little about but he was really passionate and enthusiastic which we took as a sign. That trust wholly paid off because we ended up with a record that we wouldn’t of been able to achieve otherwise.Who did the art for the Pro Famine?
Sam McKenzie who is a close friend and previous collaborator (aka N.W.C . While the opportunity is here we would also like to thank Yossie/Thrash Graphics and Dab/Dabstar for their work on the Episode Sounds release. You too are mourning the closure of La Bussola, possibly one of Melbourne's most underrated pizzerias. Did you have a favourite menu item or story about the grumpy owner?
Tom and Jack lived a block away from Buss for many years. The worst story we could give you would be about how the room on the side was offered to one of their housemates to turn into a live music venue. The best would probably be the time our mate Dave sat in Ninos chair by accident. Our favourite pizza was the ten-minute special.
April 24 – Brisbane at Total Attack Fest
May 2 – Melbourne (two album launch) at the John Curtain with Repairs, TOL, Tommy T and the Classical Mishaps and Military Position
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John: The Pro Famine record on Swedish label Ken Rock was actually supposed to come out over a year ago. The label who was originally putting it out is no longer active which is unfortunate but completely understandable considering the circumstances. The record was then passed on to a French company who again dropped it at the eleventh hour. This time it was for reasons they refused to discuss, but it’s fair to assume that they developed some insecurities about the records title and artwork. After that we wrote to Ken Rock and the record was sent to press within days. The whole experience was really gruelling but ultimately for the best because Ken Rock is an incredible imprint.The Japanese record was released by a long time fan of the band who we had only ever had correspondence with over Soundcloud. In the beginning it was pretty unnerving to work so closely with someone we knew very little about but he was really passionate and enthusiastic which we took as a sign. That trust wholly paid off because we ended up with a record that we wouldn’t of been able to achieve otherwise.Who did the art for the Pro Famine?
Sam McKenzie who is a close friend and previous collaborator (aka N.W.C . While the opportunity is here we would also like to thank Yossie/Thrash Graphics and Dab/Dabstar for their work on the Episode Sounds release. You too are mourning the closure of La Bussola, possibly one of Melbourne's most underrated pizzerias. Did you have a favourite menu item or story about the grumpy owner?
Tom and Jack lived a block away from Buss for many years. The worst story we could give you would be about how the room on the side was offered to one of their housemates to turn into a live music venue. The best would probably be the time our mate Dave sat in Ninos chair by accident. Our favourite pizza was the ten-minute special.
Catch Gentlemen at one of these shows:
April 24 – Brisbane at Total Attack Fest
May 2 – Melbourne (two album launch) at the John Curtain with Repairs, TOL, Tommy T and the Classical Mishaps and Military Position