Monday, April 19, 2010

Shit That Ain't Worth A Dick


I'm sick. As a dog. Which means that in the half hour it took me to create the above pictorial representation of my conviction that Selena Gomez is just a very clever hairless chipmunk in a black wig, six eighths of my laptop got covered in sweat and bile. I'll let that image soak in while you probably curse me out for not putting any real content in this post. Ingrates.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Rapids on Obsessions

You might still be recovering from your weekend of speed balls and freaky prostitutes. You might be on your way out the door to retrieve your car from the ditch you left it in last night when you had to flee the murderous Iranian man who's wife you'd just killed in a bout of ill advised drunk driving. Whatever you've been up to since Friday, it's Sunday now. Which means I won't be giving any kind of preamble or introduction to this interview. Because why? Because fuck off, that's why.

Not that this band (Rapids) really need an introduction. They're brilliant. Go to their myspace, you can download their EP for free. This interview is another email one, so it's kind of brief, but you know. That's the way it is sometimes.

--

Photobucket

1. Do you think music is obsessive by nature? Is writing a song about something an act of obsession, or more of possession?

Sometimes when technical skills, musicianship and inspiration have failed us in the songwriting process, we turn to the Ouija board and ancient tribal medicine for answers. The out of body experiences that follow probably fall under the ‘possession’ umbrella.

2. Do you think our impulse to obsess over things should be indulged or denied? Why/Why not?

We’d like to tackle this on a case-by-case basis. There are those out there whose job it is to obsess over certain things, like climate change and how to fix it. This is a good obsession that should be indulged in. There are those who obsess over sex with midgets. We encourage people to draw their own line on that one.

3. If an obsession is mutual, do you think that makes it healthy? Or even more destructive?

Rapids love cake. But we also realize that cake cannot actually love us back with the same youthful vigor and mutual emotion. The day we believe otherwise will mark our spiraling descent into destructive obsession.

4. What are your thoughts on the sometimes obsessive relationship between musicians and their fans? Would this be inherently destructive because the fans' feelings can never be fully returned?

Mark David Chapman.

5. Do you think it takes a certain amount of self obsession to want to pursue a career in music? How do you feel about musicians being often lambasted for being narcissistic or self-indulgent?

Yes and no. We believe there are two personalities in music: there are those who concentrate on the music alone and shy away from the publicity that comes hand in hand with mainstream exposure. On the other hand, of course you have the musicians who use personality, image and ‘self obsession’ as a tool to further their career. Neither should be counted as more or less legitimate than the other, and it’s worth noting that sometimes bands with the biggest ‘personas’ are mild souls when off tour (The Hives enjoy gardening and living the quiet life when not on the road). An image is only an image, not necessarily the truth.

6. What are Rapids' current obsessions?

We’re obsessed with messing our house up until it can’t get any messier, then cleaning it until it can’t get any cleaner. It’s a weekly cycle. We also obsess over the current state of the summer cockroach invasion. This may or may not have a causal relationship with our previous obsession.

7. When do you think an obsession stops being healthy? Or is obsession never healthy?

Everyone has their own obsessions in life, both big and small. But when these obsessions start to take over, hindering a person from functioning normally and effectively in day-to-day life it might be time to take a step back and reevaluate the important things. Have you been paying your bills? Are you neglecting your wife? Are your obsessions driving you to taunt your own children and gamble your savings on cockroach races? You are not alone, and there is help out there.

8. What do you think it takes for a person to properly rid themselves of an obsession?

A good distraction and an expensive therapist.

9. Do you think an obsessive relationship is inherently hierarchical, with the obsessor on the bottom and obsessee on the top, or vice versa? Or is it more linear?

Of course it’s hierarchical. There are things that we want to do to people we obsess about that they would not want to do to us.

10. Where do you think obsessions come from? Some sort of fault in our personality? Do you think we use obsessions to fill the gaps in who we want to be, or how we see ourselves?

Obsessions come from the mystical Obsession Falcon. Like his close cousin, the Stork (where babies come from) the Obsession Falcon attacks your subconscious first, with his fierce talons and conceited beak. Before you know it your life is turned upside down and nothing else exists except for the vessel of your obsession. Beware that fucking bird, man.

Friday, April 16, 2010

100%

Oh, hi Internet. I forgot you existed for about a week there. I wish I could spin some bullshit about how busy I've been but I'm not in the habit of insulting my readers.

Photobucket

Throw that in with a couple of Neil Young records, some whiskey, a cardigan or two and general inactivity and you've got a pretty accurate picture of my week. And a few days ago I got a copy of Showgirls on VHS which has been keeping me pretty busy, if you know what I mean (I mean sex). I know what you're thinking, and the term you're looking for is "Living The Dream", compadre.

Remember the other day how I said there were fresh interviews coming? I wasn't lying, they're coming. And from now on I'll pay more attention to the Can't Sleep readership, I really will. I'll take you out to dinner and ask you about your day. We'll sit on my couch and snuggle in front of a movie with a bottle of red wine while the rain beats rhythmically against the window pane. I might even take you to Perth to meet my parents, let's see where it goes.

So stick with me, I won't let you down.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

WTF

Photobucket

First the Hopetoun and now this????????????? Somebody has to take a stand, friends. It can't go on any longer.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Made In Japan on Politics

Photobucket

One of my housemates is called Michael. Michael, if that's you, this is a very yellow bellied and grammatically incorrect way of airing your grievances about my work standard. Oh, and I found your What's Eating Gilbert Grape? DVD, it was under my bed. I forgot I was watching it in my room the other night, sorry. Is the actress who plays his mum really that fat? I heard somewhere that she was. Didn't she die though? Anyway, I saw it was a rental so I'll take it back and totally pay any late fees you get on it. Sorry.

But if it's not Michael the housemate then, hi there Michael the valued and beloved Can't Sleep reader. What's with all the bad energy? I'm just trying to live my life over here, man. But yea, all the interviews on here were done either earlier this year or late last year. We decided to start putting all the old stuff online because the print version of Can't Sleep had a pretty limited circulation and we wanted more people to be able to read the interviews we'd done. But fresh ones will be coming soon, they really will. And when I say fresh I mean FRESH. Fresh enough to make Justin Bieber look like wrinkly old dogs' balls. So keep tuning in.

But on that note, here's an old interview which actually didn't make it to the printers. So it is kind of new in that none of the general public have read it yet. It was done with Mike from Made In Japan via email. You can catch Made In Japan at Spectrum on Friday night, and you should because they're marvelous. First rate, if you will.

Mike left the band late last year so... I guess that casts the interview in a poignant new light. Hopefully you'll enjoy reading it anyway.


--

Photobucket

Can't Sleep: Do you guys have any faith left in politics at all? Or do you think it's an inevitably corrupting force?

Mike: Yes we do have faith in politics. There will always be corruption in any organisation, but to just say let’s scrap it because of some corruption doesn’t make sense. Would we scrap the police force because we know there will be some form of inevitable corruption that will take place? There will always a certain percentage of baddies and that’s human nature but I think the goodies out weigh them. So really what I’m saying is we have faith in humanity


CS: Would you agree that every social/economic interaction is a form of politics? Or do you see at as something higher up, that doesn't involve the every day people?

M: No to both I guess. I don’t see every social interaction as politics and I don’t see it as something high up that doesn’t involve every day people. To say politics doesn’t involve everyday people anymore is a ridiculous statement, our democratic system is rooted in what people want and you only have to take one look at a Newspaper or News report to see the influence the people have. It’s the reason why the media scrutinises politician’s actions and thousands of dollars are spent on political surveys – people give a shit and their opinion matters to the decisions that are made.


CS: What are your thoughts on the current political climate? Do you think we're heading in the right direction, or just spiraling downward in a slightly different fashion?

M: When our band first started out we were in the middle of the end of the Howard era (late 06, early 07). As a band we got behind the Rudd and the Labor party, even some of our early songs lyrics reflected how much we hated Howard; “When will we finally get away” was one chorus that stuck out. So to criticise Rudd now would be almost hypocritical. The thing with any government, and something my mum always says when I complain about what we’re having for dinner is ‘you can’t please all of the people all of the time’. What I mean is it’s impossible to keep everyone happy with every single issue but when you look at the alternative I think we’re in safe hands right now – safer hands than Turnbull or the Libs that is.


CS: How important is politics? Do you think it's essential to have some kind of structure and rules in place for humanity to function at its best, or would we be better off with out and out anarchy?

M: Hahahaha. This one’s pretty easy – YES. Do you remember when your parents went out for the night and it was just you and your brothers and sister home and there was no rules?? It always ended in tears. Sure it’s easy to criticise the system and complain but I refer to my last answer – think of the alternative. One criticism I DO have about the system is this, politicians know they are only going to be in for a short period of time and this leads to short term decisions that keeps everyone happy. These decisions are obviously not the best long term decisions. Here’s a possible solution – King of Australia? Crazy I know, but it would mean you’d be thinking in terms of long term what’s best for the country which I think politicians don’t and can’t always do.


CS: Is it human nature to want to put their own political agenda in place? Are some people born rulers, while some are born followers, or do you think it's more complex?

M: When I was in scouts the troop was divided in patrols of about 4 -8 kids that had a patrol leader and seconder. I remember one patrol council the leader said that none of us were born leaders and he talked about the born leader. I remember thinking this is a crock of shit. And I still think it is. It’s really a classic nature VS nurture debate, I won’t go into what that means if you don’t understand but basically I think it’s more complex than you’re a ruler, you’re a follower. Sure people are born with their personality and inherit behaviors from their parents but it’s SO much more complicated than that.


CS: Do you think religion and money should be separated from politics, or are they fundamentally related?

M: NO. This is such a highly contested question and I strongly believe they are fundamentally related. You’ve got a political issue right, a decision to be made about what’s best for Australians you have to incorporate all facets of that decision. People think decisions should be objective political ones – well let me say this honey, there’s no such thing as a pure ‘objective’ decision, everyone has their agendas so stop trying for this objective perfection. Let me be more specific with an example; in times past (incl when I was in class discussions) when Christians make a comment or put in their 2 cents their opinion is automatically rejected because it’s Christian. But when an atheist puts in there opinion that’s fine, because it’s supposedly objective, BUT IT’S NOT! Because they have their opinions and prejudices about religion so how is it objective? This is why all opinions, including religious ones need to be considered at equal value, especially considering Australia is built on Christian values (weather you like it or not, honey).


CS: Do you think a nation's politics is a real reflection of its people? Why/why not?

M: Yes and no. No because a lot of them are cashed up educated suit-wearing liars. But at the same time yes – have you heard Julia Gillard speak lately?


CS: Are we due for a revolution in Australia? Do you think we need one?

M: The real question is what sort of revolution? And why would Australia need one? Personally Australia is in need of a Hawaiian shirt revolution, you know these things come round in circles and their such colourful, happy garments to wear, especially in Summer –Alright that’s it I’m starting one, who’s joining me?


CS: Where do you think the place of music is in politics? Do you think it's proved itself an important political force, or should the arts keep out of political affairs? Why/why not?

M: Politics, as is everything, is subject to the arts. This is the beauty of art – it’s mediums to talk about and express anything you want, often issues that you couldn’t talk about in any other way BUT art. I’ve had a few conversations with Jono our guitarist about this issue, look at politics and music over the past 60 years, it’s obvious that political movements reflect the music and art of the time (or vice versa even). Music in particular is an important political force and it will continue to be one and I’m perfectly OK with that.


CS: Do you guys feel like we're becoming too apathetic in our view of politics? Does this worry you? Why/why not?

M: By we I’m assuming you mean the current young adult generation and I think everyone loves to have a hack at us for not caring about what’s going on in the world around us. I disagree, now with internet and instant news young people are more connected and informed than ever. It’s also shows like the Chaser and more recently the Hungary Beast that have packaged political issues into a format that younger people can relate, understand and form an opinion –without these shows we would have never even heard about many issues, let alone form an opinion on it.

Disclaimer!

Please note for the record these opinions may not be the entire bands, just mine the lead bass players – Mike ‘ace of bass’ Williams