8 Bit Love have been tucked away for the last few months letting their creative juices flow into what will be their sophomore EP, In 3D. With some of the catchy dance tracks the group has become known for, In 3D also explores some new sounds and styles.
This July, the band is returning to the pub scene with a residency at the Workers Club, featuring some new tracks and a lot of excitement to be back on stage. With a live show that can be described as a boisterous frenzy of cow-bell playing, screaming and dancing, The Workers Club and its inhabitants will be in for a treat every Tuesday night. Friends old and new will join 8 Bit Love each week, with special guest DJs popping in as well.
Simon Findlay takes a hold of the Q&A spotlight…
Your last EP was called Super Mario Lovers and your band-name is clearly videogame inspired, what is it about the 8 bit era that you love?
I just like the magic of the Mario world; pipes that lead to other places, plants that make you breath fire, mushrooms…
Are you guys fans of ChipTune music? And if so who are some of your favourite ChipTune acts?
I’d have to confess, when we came up with the name we were didn’t know that 8 bit was a style of music. But once I was at this party and this guy was programming the music with his Game Boy which sounded mad as. That aside I haven’t really had any exposure to ChipTune.
You must answer this question honestly or we steal your rider. What and where was the first gig you went to?
The first big one? For me and Matt (Darveniza – Bass, Backing Vox, & Synth) it was Green Day at Rod Laver Arena when we were in Year 7. So many pyrotechnics!
‘Fess up. What records have you stolen from your parent’s record collection and why?
Oh dear… Bat Out Of Hell by Meat Loaf, I can say this had a huge influence on our current music as during one of songs we sometimes get a motor powered fixed gear bike on stage for a bit more atmosphere. That, and our next CD cover is looking to have a naked woman draped in our arms.
What’s on heavy rotation on your iPod right now?
Does It Offend You, Yeah?, Backstreet Boys and Alestorm. Which I think sums me up pretty well.
You’ve described your show as a “boisterous frenzy of cow-bell playing, screaming and dancing” – do you think Christopher Walken would approve?
Unlike most bands who have about 0-15% cowbell per member, we have 100% per member, this is even more than those Spanish bands that play at the Night Cat. So yes, I can say we have “more cowbell” and that Christopher Walken would approve.
Do you have any particular ritual before you go on stage, or even a lucky charm you take with you?
Vito (Lucarelli – Lead Vox, Guitar and Synth) and Matt don’t really have any rituals…. But I always get really nervous, not because I’m on stage but because I’m worried I’ll have to go to the toilet or I’ll get thirsty, so I always head to the toilet about three times just before we play.
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 (attractions/food/bars etc)?
It’d be held under a full moon, have five stages in the shape of a pentagram, and when 3:33am hit all the stages would be set alight and everyone would have a screaming firework battle. In terms of music, it would be supplied by animal sounds from a live feed from children’s farms all over the world mixed with beats from Scandinavian pirates.
When you’re Rolling Stones Big, what are you going to request on your rider: don’t be shy. We want specifics!
Fruit cut into Pokémon dressed as Lord of the Rings characters, ie Jigglypuff as Gimli. Also some rum.
Because it’s more fun to do things together, which living Australian artist would you most like to collaborate with? Tell us why?
I’d kinda like to work with The Avalanches and Kylie Minogue, preferably together.
What is your band’s music the best soundtrack for?
Something like Trainspotting, with less funny accents and more flashy lights.
You’re playing a month-long residency at Melbourne’s The Workers Club in July, what can we expect from those shows (aside from cowbell)?
Expect that if you come you will drink and dance and party like it’s 1984 (the best year for partying). But more importantly you can expect to see too many guitar pedals, too many dance beats, too much synth bass, this combined with sample pads, loop pedals, screaming tri-harmonies and a duckload (3.84kilos) of sweat.
