Image: Jessie AdamsFruit & Nut are a relatively new but refreshing addition to the Melbourne music scene. Featuring members of Flesh World, The Zingers and DW, the four-piece play a psychedelic-influenced style of art punk and have just released an excellent 8-track cassette.Combining disparate influences with heavy nods to British prog and the songwriting of Swindon new wave band XTC, they’ve been playing regularly around town on fittingly eclectic bills.We had a chat to guitarist Jared Styles and vocalist/guitarist, Luke Dawson.Noisey: How did F & N come to be? What was the incubation period before you started playing and recording?
Luke Dawson: Around April last year our drummer James contacted me about rebooting our long term band DW. We were restricted to a poorly amplified electric drum kit so we contacted Chris about jamming in his band room in Coburg. He was very generous and offered us all his gear including his new twelve-string for me to play. He jumped in on bass picking up the songs almost instantly. A week later we added Jared. Next came the arduous process of choosing a new band name.Our incubation period was between May and October where we pushed the songs as far as we could before recording and playing our first show at the Grace Darling. It would be an understatement to say our songs have been rewritten a few times.Three quarters of the band previously played in Flesh World. How is the process for F & N different to FW?
Jared Styles: Liam, James, Luke and I all met in high school at Sacred Heart College Kyneton, and started Flesh World when we were all out of school but we’d been playing music together years before that. James’ drumming is a very strong staple for both Fruit & Nut and Flesh World. He always manages to surprise us and keep the momentum going. It’s great to see him behind the kit again.We had a pretty clear vision for Flesh World from the start whilst Fruit & Nut still feels like we’re constantly shifting gears, it feels pretty similar, we’re just getting older.“This Is Not For You” sounds pretty dark. What was the impetus for its lyrical content?
Luke: It’s adapted from the first chapter of House Of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski. There is quite a few literature references on the tape but the content of each song varies. I am hyper critical of myself both lyrically and vocally and work hard to better myself with each song I write.I know XTC is a big influence on the band, but you’ve got a pretty tough sound to put a finger on (a good thing). What other stimulus goes into the blender to get where you are?
Jared: As far as music goes it’s no secret that we all avidly enjoy lots of kraut, prog and hard rock bands such as Soft Machine, Gentle Giant, Van Der Graff Generator and Amon Dull II. Steely Dan and Big Big Train are also big ones for us. We are all very big No Trend fans. They are an influence on us both musically and philosophically.Jared, your dad has been heavily involved in music. What are his thoughts on Fruit & Nut?
Jared: My Dad and I share a very similar taste in music so naturally he understands what influences the band. Like most people I think he’s just curious to see where we can take it.Fruit & Nut is a pretty audacious name. Is this your collective preferred blend of cocoa?
Luke: Chocolate is ok. I wanted to be called Dawson Styles Grey and White.
Jared: And that’s why we’re called Fruit & Nut. I like Whitakers.How would you describe the F & N live experience?
Luke: Although live performance is our preferred medium of displaying our songs, we often have technical difficulties and various problems. We’re also still trying to get to our ideal level of live musicianship.Luke, where did you get that puffy shirt?
Luke: It was a present from Chingford. He liked my chops.I know you are heavily into video games, what have you been playing lately?
Luke: I’ve been playing To the Moon (PC), Jared is on Theatrhythm (3DS), Chris is Last of Us (PS3) and James like Call of Duty: Nazi Zombies brah’ (XBOX 360)What are your future plans?
Luke: We want to tour a couple of states over the course of the year. We are going back in the studio to record a handful of new songs. Million Dollar Records aims to put out a 7” and we intend to do another self-release as well by the end of this year. Full steam ahead: Fruit & Nut.Fruit & Nut have an eight song cassette that is available through their Bandcamp page.
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Luke Dawson: Around April last year our drummer James contacted me about rebooting our long term band DW. We were restricted to a poorly amplified electric drum kit so we contacted Chris about jamming in his band room in Coburg. He was very generous and offered us all his gear including his new twelve-string for me to play. He jumped in on bass picking up the songs almost instantly. A week later we added Jared. Next came the arduous process of choosing a new band name.Our incubation period was between May and October where we pushed the songs as far as we could before recording and playing our first show at the Grace Darling. It would be an understatement to say our songs have been rewritten a few times.Three quarters of the band previously played in Flesh World. How is the process for F & N different to FW?
Jared Styles: Liam, James, Luke and I all met in high school at Sacred Heart College Kyneton, and started Flesh World when we were all out of school but we’d been playing music together years before that. James’ drumming is a very strong staple for both Fruit & Nut and Flesh World. He always manages to surprise us and keep the momentum going. It’s great to see him behind the kit again.We had a pretty clear vision for Flesh World from the start whilst Fruit & Nut still feels like we’re constantly shifting gears, it feels pretty similar, we’re just getting older.
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Luke: It’s adapted from the first chapter of House Of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski. There is quite a few literature references on the tape but the content of each song varies. I am hyper critical of myself both lyrically and vocally and work hard to better myself with each song I write.I know XTC is a big influence on the band, but you’ve got a pretty tough sound to put a finger on (a good thing). What other stimulus goes into the blender to get where you are?
Jared: As far as music goes it’s no secret that we all avidly enjoy lots of kraut, prog and hard rock bands such as Soft Machine, Gentle Giant, Van Der Graff Generator and Amon Dull II. Steely Dan and Big Big Train are also big ones for us. We are all very big No Trend fans. They are an influence on us both musically and philosophically.Jared, your dad has been heavily involved in music. What are his thoughts on Fruit & Nut?
Jared: My Dad and I share a very similar taste in music so naturally he understands what influences the band. Like most people I think he’s just curious to see where we can take it.Fruit & Nut is a pretty audacious name. Is this your collective preferred blend of cocoa?
Luke: Chocolate is ok. I wanted to be called Dawson Styles Grey and White.
Jared: And that’s why we’re called Fruit & Nut. I like Whitakers.How would you describe the F & N live experience?
Luke: Although live performance is our preferred medium of displaying our songs, we often have technical difficulties and various problems. We’re also still trying to get to our ideal level of live musicianship.Luke, where did you get that puffy shirt?
Luke: It was a present from Chingford. He liked my chops.I know you are heavily into video games, what have you been playing lately?
Luke: I’ve been playing To the Moon (PC), Jared is on Theatrhythm (3DS), Chris is Last of Us (PS3) and James like Call of Duty: Nazi Zombies brah’ (XBOX 360)What are your future plans?
Luke: We want to tour a couple of states over the course of the year. We are going back in the studio to record a handful of new songs. Million Dollar Records aims to put out a 7” and we intend to do another self-release as well by the end of this year. Full steam ahead: Fruit & Nut.Fruit & Nut have an eight song cassette that is available through their Bandcamp page.