Meet Brando's Island, the Punkest Band With a Vibraphone

Images: Sigourney Ormston

Hailing from Melbourne and Newcastle, Brando’s Island play a unique strain of mutant punk featuring synth, vibraphone, drums and vocals. You may know some of the members from their time in Soma Coma, Castings, Pathetic Human, Velvet Whip, Chrome Dome, The Zingers and Flat Fix. Brando’s Island wouldn’t have been out of place on the legendary 80’s public access show, New Wave Theatre. I can imagine host, Peter Ivers, introducing them for a performance of their track "Cryogenic Capers" .

They’ve just released their debut 7” on vocalist Richard Costa’s label, Million Dollar Records, and played two Melbourne shows to launch it. Now seemed like a good time to catch up with synth player, Nick Senger, to see what goes down on Brando’s Island.

Noisey: Why the name Brando’s Island?
Nick Senger: Marlon Brando purchased an atoll named Teitaroa in the 60's as an out from Hollywood. Today, it is a resort for silver spoons. What occurred in between is the most curious part. It's dark as fuck.

What is your favourite Brando flick?
I'm not particularly interested in the 'character actor'. I'm fascinated by a man. By all accounts, he was gentle and frightening. A humble egoist brandishing power and sensitivity; looking way too deeply into the souls of himself and others, trying to make peace with his lot. Other people's too. He was complex and he tried. I respect that. So, I would answer with The Godfather. Purely because he helped bring something important to a table that were unaware or unwilling to do the right thing, whilst shitting on said table at the same time.

How does it feel to be playing what Tommy Gunn (Pathetic Human/Magik Crowbar) refers to as “real music”, as opposed to the fake music you were playing before?
It's all been pop music to my ears - I just happened to spend ten years ensconced in free improvisation/spontaneous composition as a ways to break on through, with five friends I love very much. We were mad and we succeeded. It was as real as it gets then and it is now. Apples and oranges still contribute to a fruit salad. Well maybe not oranges, but you catch my drift. I'm often surprised by people's reactions to a shameless melody though. It almost feels like it comes from a position of disbelief.

What happened with your original drummer?
I'm not entirely sure to be honest. The saddest part of it is that I lost a friend I had known for a long time. Ultimately it was the best thing for the band because our current drummer Isaac belongs with us. We're best mates and he wants to push things as far as we possibly can musically. We work our arses off to make every song perfect. It's tense sometimes, but it is always worth it. My biggest fight with Julia was about taking my shirt off because it was hot. It was silly to be labelled a bigot over such a thing. And it hurt. But whatev's. I wish you well mate.

What’s your favourite new wave banger at the moment?
It depends on how one defines the term. For me, '78 to '88 was the last decade we've had people taking huge chances with what they did within traditionally structured three and four minute songs. True experimental pop.
I'm sure the scent of money had something to do with it, but there has to be more to it than that. An argument can be made for lots of other more recent stuff, but I don't believe it to be anywhere near as consistent. Anyway, I can't do one - here's a few: 'Inside The Wolf' by Andrew Poppy. Arguably my favourite song ever written. "New Toy" by Lene Lovich. Perfect tune. Peerless bridge back into the last chorus. "Ain't It A Shame" by The B-52's. This one hurts. It's gorgeous. We miss you Ricky.

So far you’ve played some pretty eclectic lineups. What’s the appeal of a mixed bill for you?
It just has to be this way. I have a low boredom threshold. We want to have fun and be challenged. Every show I’ve ever been a part of organising has featured people trying to achieve their aims in different ways, with different means to who played before or after them. We encourage you to ride with us. It's fun.

How is the band going to function with you living in Newcastle and the other guys living in Melbourne?
Well I think. Our friend Sarah gave us the confidence. We wrote and rehearsed for eighteen months straight before we even considered recording or playing out and this has set the band up in the best way possible. We don't waste too much time sampling Cro-Mags or Billy Brownless anymore. I think we lost days laughing at that shit.

What do you think of the other Brando’s Island?
I think that they need to stop. There's earnest and then there's 'earnest'. It's all a bit too nice screamo.

What plans do you have for the band?
Our second 7" is in the can and will be out in the next few months on Altered States. East coast shows will follow to support it. One more 7" release later in the year, more gigs. And work toward an LP. We're a singles band so far, so we're looking forward to stretching out and tripping ourselves up.

Read a full Brando’s Island interview in an upcoming issue of 'Distort'.

'Autism Vision/Auto-Warfare' 7” is available from Million Dollar Records.