By now, it’s near impossible to not know about Australia’s relentless party thrash duo, DZ Deathrays.
From their humble beginnings, members Shane Parsons and Simon Ridley have seen themselves travel across the world, from bringing their unique guitar pedal-driven rock to Italy’s A Perfect Day Festival to opening for acclaimed acts such as Bass Drum of Death and Blood Red Shoes on their international tours.
Now, their slow rise has seen them being locked in to a co-headlining slot for Melbourne’s Push Over festival, as well as a DJ set for the recently announced Groovin’ The Moo lineup.
Melbourne’s resident Push Over Festival has seen headliners that range from Children Collide to Parkway Drive. With the 2013 lineup boasting fantastic acts such as The Amity Affliction, Violent Soho and Velociraptor, DZ frontman and overall nice guy Shane Parsons explains his overall shock at his band co-headlining the event.
“We’re really used to playing afternoon slots, maybe around 2pm, so we were pretty surprised to find out we were co-headlining the event.”
“We’re also really excited to play with Violent Soho,” he continues. “We’ve been asking them for ages but it just hasn’t worked out in the past.”
With the two members also being a part of the huge twelve-man band Velociraptor, Parsons sheds some light on any strain on himself and partner Ridley have through playing at a later time than Velociraptor.“We’re also really excited to play with Violent Soho. We’ve been asking them for ages but it just hasn’t worked out in the past.”
“I don’t think they really care all that much that DZ are headlining and Velociraptor aren’t – we’re all good friends, so they’re pretty supportive,” adds Parsons. “And if they did care, they would just get really drunk on stage and stop caring.”
DZ Deathrays have been likened to Toronto natives Death From Above 1979, much more than any other act, and Parsons has regularly confirmed that their change of musical direction – evident in their debut album Bloodstreams – was influenced by the Toronto rockers.
Now, with both bands having released full-length albums, who simply did it better? “Death From Above, definitely” Parsons states. “My friend recommended me the album a while ago, and when I first listened to it I was like ‘whoa’, and I couldn’t stop listening.”
“I guess we’re more based around pedal manipulation in comparison, and our riffs are more cemented,” he details. “Though, we’ve had a few people from Russia and other parts e-mail us asking to do split releases, and if you think we’re similar to DFA, you haven’t heard those guys – it’s insane how similar they are.”
In more recent lineup news, DZ Deathrays are featured on Groovin’ the Moo’s 2013 lineup. Though, rather than performing their live show, they were requested to do a very different set for the national festival.
“Yeah, we’re doing a DJ set, simply because the guys just requested it,” Parsons explains simply.
“I don’t mind, though – it would be a good break from playing our live show, and it’s actually a good way for the band members to get some income rather than just re-investing into touring.”
“We’re actually pretty much self directed – we always tour off of our own back, so any money that we make from shows always has to be re-invested so we can at least break even with our tours,” he continues.“When I went overseas to tour, I basically put all my stuff in storage, bought a pre-paid phone and lived out of a backpack – something I’m still pretty much doing.”
“To go overseas for a few shows, it can cost anywhere from $10,000, and our fan base overseas isn’t as large as it is here in Australia.” But at least he can take solace in the adventures of the road.
“Touring is definitely a hectic change of lifestyle. When I went overseas to tour, I basically put all my stuff in storage, bought a pre-paid phone and lived out of a backpack – something I’m still pretty much doing,” says the guitarist.
“You definitely miss having a home. Before this, Simon and I were in government jobs. It was really disheartening because when you were there all you wanted to do was go home and play music.”
It’s safe to say that DZ Deathrays are a touring powerhouse. Since having been specifically chosen by Crystal Castles to be their opening act back in 2010, they’ve gone on tour with the likes of Children Collide as well as being a part of Falls Festival, Laneway Festival and Splendour in the Grass.
What they’d prefer to avoid, though, is becoming a stale Aussie act. “We don’t really want to go down the path of touring a bunch in our country to build up funds, and then sort of lose a bit of our fanbase from touring too much.”
“We’re pretty lucky, because Australia majors in a lot of indie pop and indie rock bands, and there aren’t that many other acts similar to us.” So to deal with the dreaded ‘oversaturation’ the DZ duo have a plan.
“Our best strategy to always be appealing, though, is to hide away and tour in a different country and develop us as a band, then come back and do an Australian tour.”
Now that DZ are swiftly ascending the popularity scale, it’s definitely possible for the duo to play with some of their favourite acts. “It would be awesome to open for Death From Above 1979, but I don’t know how people would go listening to the opening band that sounds really similar to the headliners.”
Anyone else on the wishlist? “We’ve always wanted to party with Motley Crue,… especially now because we don’t know how much longer they’ll keep touring, so we’re absolutely trying to get on the Kiss / Motley Crue tour – it would be a dream come true.”
Bloodstreams is out now through I Oh You, read the Tone Deaf review here. DZ Deathrays play Push Over 2013 this March 11th, then head out on a national headline tour before heading to regional centres with Groovin’ The Moo in April/May. All dates and details below.
Push Over 2013 Tickets & Event Details
Push Over 21st Birthday Party
Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne
Labour Day Public Holiday – Monday March 11th 2013
12pm – 8pm
Tickets: $40 +bf pre-sale via Ticketmaster www.ticketmaster.com.au
Groovin The Moo 2013 Dates
Saturday 27 April 2013 – Maitland NSW
Maitland Showground
Blomfield St, Maitland NSW 2320
Sunday 28 April 2013 – Canberra ACT
University of Canberra
Kirinari St Bruce ACT 2617
Saturday 4 May 2013 – Bendigo VIC – SOLD OUT
Bendigo’s Prince of Wales Showground
42 – 72 Holmes Rd, Bendigo VIC 3550
Sunday 5 May 2013 – Townsville QLD
Murray Sports Complex – Townsville Cricket Grounds
Mervyn Crossman Dr & Murray Lyons Cres, Idalia QLD 4811
Saturday 11 May 2013 – Bunbury WA
Hay Park
(off) Parade Rd Bunbury WA 6230
DZ Deathrays 2013 Australian Tour
with special guests
April 2013
Tickets on Sale: Friday 15 Feb
Thu 4 April Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane 18+
Supported by Tiger Beams + Millions (DJ set)
Tickets via www.oztix.com.au
Sat 6 April GoodGod, Sydney, NSW 18+
Supported by Palms + Bec & Ben
Tickets via www.moshtix.com.au
Fri 12 April CATS VS I OH YOU @ Rocket Bar, Adelaide, SA 18+
Supported by special guests (TBA)
Tickets at the door only
Sat 13 April Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne, VIC 18+
Supported by Damn Terran & Super Best Friends
Tickets via www.oztix.com.au
