If you haven’t heard the Bloody Hollies, you should be ashamed of yourself. Be advised: they are everything I love about music. They’ve been pumping out the rock for over 10 years and despite fevered crowds launching at them in Europe, have never ventured to Oz. Having just released their fifth record Yours Until The Bitter End, Melbourne – Australia’s spiritual home of dirty, bluesy, garage rock (yeow!) – will soon be pulling on it’s boots for a wild weekend of unabashed, murderous rock’n’roll. Sorry, rest of the country, but you better book some flights. Perhaps not with Qantas…
Anyways, we were lucky enough to get Bloody Hollies stalwart Wesley Doyle – he writes songs, sings them and accompanies bandmates Joey Horgen (guitar), Matthew Bennett (drums) and Bort-Erik Thunder (bass) on the guitar and mouth harp – into a to-and-fro on the electronic mail before they pack their shit to head on down under.
Wesley, you used to be in the Marine Corps – but like things to happen naturally, organically, in terms of the band. These two ideas seem at odds to me. Am I delusional? How does one inform the other?
Well, if you’re implying that there is uniformed train of thought in the military, you couldn’t be further from the truth. The fact is that I look at my background in the marines as a huge advantage to my creativity. I feel that the more I’ve been exposed to in my life, the more I am able to draw from life.
The vast majority of reviews I read about your music discuss bombastic sonic intensity but rarely look at lyricism. Do you consciously tell stories in your lyrics? How important are words in creating your music?
Yeah, I’ve noticed that too. It almost makes me want to just start writing songs about girls. It would be easier! Yes, I definitely set out to create a scene, or a plot in most of the lyrics. I think it makes a better listen. I am iron man!!!!
Interesting that a heap of commentary about the Bloody Hollies comes from male fans: do you see that reflected in live audiences at all? Is rock’n’roll really still about boys singing about girls? Surely it can’t be that lopsidedly masculine anymore?
[laughs] Yeah, it seems that way. The irony of starting a band to get girls…
Seems to me that song with a base in blues rock is destined to be a winner. What is it about the rock basics that appeal to music lovers, and you?
It’s really just the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” philosophy. But any idiot could tell you that you still have to insert at least a minor degree of originality though. My favorite bands – like Queen and Led Zeppelin – played the blues well, but had the common sense to expand way beyond it.
On that note – artists who are interested in the “genre” are very respectful to their musical forerunners. Can you recall an early introduction to the music that inspired you to create it yourself?
I randomly saw The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion in New York in the mid 90’s and that was it for me. The first thing I did after I got out of the marines was start a band and all I wanted to do was sound like them.
Personally, how do you measure success in your musical career?
Ha, this changes all the time. The more time goes by, we’re just happy to get free drinks. But I still think we have the potential to garner a lot of fans, and tour regularly in front of packed shows on a nightly basis. Will we be giant stars? Probably not…
Do you care about “household names” or hold any real desire to be one?
Of course! Isn’t that what everyone wants? I also want to hit the winning home run in the World Series, and win a Stanley Cup!
Pretty sweet that one of your inspirations is AC/DC and your Australian shows will be at Cherry Bar in AC/DC Lane. Do you put much weight in serendipity?
[Laughs] Yes, I do! You can bet your ass I’m going to get one or two photos of me in front of the street sign. Seriously, I’m a big fan.
Loads of shows in Europe: first time to Australia. Do you have any preconceptions about what the place will be like or how you’ll enjoy the visit?
We have not, but I’m looking forward to it. I really don’t like to draw conclusions on a place until I’ve been there. It kind of dampens the experience, ya know?
Touring’s your thing: playing live is apparently the one thing you think you’re good at and love. What’s it feel like to play to an enthusiastic audience?
It’s the reason why I even do this. I hate to admit it, but it’s nice to get that validation whenever we can get it.
– Melanie Lewis
Get down and validate The Bloody Hollies at their exclusive Cherry Bar shows on Saturday 12 November and Sunday 13 November.
Tickets to the only Australian shows are available right here.
