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.
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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
