If you love rock ’n’ roll… real, genuine rock’n’roll played by a band that knows where it came from, where it’s at and where it’s going?… you will love Leadfinger! Since forming in 2007 this hard-working independent band has developed it’s own timeless rock’n’roll sound and great songs that sits them comfortably in the same stinky bandroom as such luminaries as The Replacements, Big Star, The Rolling Stones, Wilco, Flamin Groovies, Tom Petty and Danny & the Champs… and classic Australian rock’n’roll a la Sunnyboys, Celibate Rifles, Radio Birdman, Died Pretty and You Am I.
In February 2013, Leadfinger released their 4th album, No Room At The Inn through iconic Australian record label, CITADEL RECORDS, home to many of the very same bands (Died Pretty, Lime Spiders, New Christs, Radio Birdman etc) that are heavily imprinted on the soul of Leadfinger.
Since the album release the band has played fairly constantly up and down the east coast in small towns and big cities now with their final run of shows to do for the year and would like you to come along.
We caught up with singer/guitarist Stew Cunningham
What’s your earliest memory of performing and who inspired you to start?
I started out in a band called The Proton Energy Pills – we played Ramones, Radio Birdman and Stooges stuff back when nobody really knew about it. We started out playing to our friends in surf clubs and footy club halls in our hometown of Wollongong, crazy messy party type gigs – 2 years later we were supporting Mudhoney and Dinosaur Jr on their first Australian Tours.
Where did the name Leadfinger come from?
When my brother shot me with an air rifle when I was 14 the lead pellet became embedded in my finger and had to be cut out by a doctor. We used to play silly games in the bush with our mates. I still have the x-ray but the gun was got rid of fairly quick by my mum … people starting calling me Leadfinger not long after. I’ve always liked Leadbelly so he was inspiration too.
You must answer this question honestly. What and where was the first gig you went to?
Sheesh, trying to remember is the hardest thing. It may have been Midnight Oil at the Hordern Pavilion.
‘Fess up. What records have you stolen from your parent’s record collection and why?
They weren’t really into music but I did borrow a Bob Dylan and a Doors album from them.
You released your fourth record No Room At The Inn earlier this year, who did you record the album with and where?
We recorded the basic tracks at Defwolf Studios in Sydney and did the fiddly stuff and mixing at my home studio. It’s self produced.
How did you feel when you finished the very last take on No Room At The Inn, did you feel like you captured everything you needed for a Leadfinger album?
I felt confused, overwhelmed and relieved at various points along the way. Being involved as songwriter/guitarist and then producer/mixer was exhausting and never ending – there were plenty of good and bad days but before the end I had lost all perspective, not sure I have recovered that either. I put a lot into it and that’s all you can do, I feel satisfied that I can say that. It has received some great reviews, I’m very proud of the songwriting and the fact we did it ourselves but I still have a few ‘what ifs’ and ‘if onlys’ ….see I’m still thinking about it! Crazy huh?
If you could curate your own festival, where would it be, who would be on the bill, how many people would you let in and what features would it have?
I hate festivals. No band of mine has ever been asked to play at one and the sound always sucks at them, I wish they would stop having festivals lord knows wild horses can’t drag me to one ever again. Give me 3 great rock’n’roll bands in a good pub like The Tote or Annandale any day over a trendy wankfest…as to the line up of my plain old rock’n’roll 3 band bill at said pub. Well you would have Leadfinger opening then maybe The Hellacopters followed by a reformed Radio Birdman or The Saints. There would be cheap beers and maybe I’d have my mates The Re-mains or Wrong Turn playing in the beer garden just cos it’s a special occasion. Of course there would be a free bbq put on for sustenance and I reckon I’d be in charge of the between band music – seems to be a lost art these days.
Because it’s more fun to do things together, which living Australian artist would you most like to collaborate with?
Off the top of my head I’d love to work with Chris Bailey of The Saints. I love his songwriting and he loves a drink as much as I do. Musically I love that mix of celtic, rock and folk influences in his music. I guess I just admire the guy too. Unlike many famous Australian musos, he has credibility and he doesn’t kiss arse or suck up to the media.
What is your band’s music the best soundtrack for?
Late night pinball and beer drinking sessions with your best rock’n’roll mates.
Where we can see you play next, what releases do you have available and where can we get them?
We have released 4 albums to date and a few Ep’s – you can buy all the albums on Vinyl or CD via our website: www.leadfinger.com.au
Digital versions are also available at iTunes etc.
Leadfinger Tour Dates
19th July – Yah Yah’s, Fitzroy, VIC (free)
20th July – The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine, VIC ($10 at the door)
21st July – The Tote Hotel, Collingwood, VIC (Powdermonkeys/Tim Hemensley 10th Anniversary)
17th August – Lass O’Gowrie, Newcastle, NSW
29th August – Annandale Hotel, NSW
31st August – The Phoenix Bar, Canberra, ACT
27th September – Dicey Riley’s Hotel, Wollongong, NSW
