Adelaide’s SXWZD have just released their second album, ‘Grey Matter/White Matter‘ on CD, LP and Digital formats via Clarity Records / Shock. If you are yet to snag a copy, you can grab one [Here]. This week in The Hotseat we catch up with Tom from the band. Expand this post to take a read.
THE BASICS
Name : Tom
Band : SXWZD (Sex Wizard)
Job In Band : Guitar, time keeper, upper management, kicker of lazy arses.
Website Address : http://www.facebook.com/pages/SexWizard/123538331048527
HOME
Hometown : Adelaide
Hometown is best known for : The city people either really love or dislike
Best venue in your hometown : Animal House
Favourite show you’ve seen in your hometown : Hmmmm… there has been hundreds over the years…up there would be the first time Ceremony tour at enigma bar. Propagandhi at Uni Bar, Frenzal at any show, this list won’t stop…
Favourite show you’ve played in your hometown : SXWZD/Extortion at the Worlds End was a lot of fun, as was SXWZD Trash Talk at Enigma.
THE BAND
How did the band first come to exist? A couple of defects from Jungle Fever were in a side project started by Jiggzy called Thrush. Then a couple more of us JF guys joined, most moved to Adelaide, added a few others, morphed into a band with a couple of stupid names, added a drummer, changed the name to something equally as stupid and here we are!
How long has the band been going? Since about 2009 as SXWZD, maybe since 2008 though.
Any particular story behind the name? It was opposite day and we gave that nickname to Adam. No, not really – I’m just ribbing him because I know that he’ll come across this one way or another in between his shifts as a lollipop man. It was a little dumb and at the time was funny in the hardcore scene. Now it’s just seems a little derivative, though definitely suits the band – mainly because none of us are remotely sexy or possess any powers.
What’s your most recent release? Tell us a little about it… The album is called Grey Matter / White Matter and was released on Clarity Records October 19th. It’s good progression from the last album, loud, fast and raw but with some pretty significant changes as well.
Got a personal stand out achievement of your band to date? We drove for over 200km in a van towing a trailer with only one wheel before any of us geniuses decided to stop the van and see where the sparks were coming from. Surely that merits some kind of award?
OFF THE STAGE
What was your first introduction to music that made you think seriously about playing it? I am pretty sure it was the first time I saw Frenzal Rhomb. I always liked the idea of bands and live music but they left me knowing that I wanted to be in a band. Plus, this all happened when I was 13 so I doubt too much thinking actually went on upstairs.
Any particular band / album or song that you personally credit as a major influence? Hmmm…to this band? Not really. I love Houdini by the Melvins
Your first band name, and what style did you play? First band name was Beat The Punch, which is now known as Stolen Youth. We play a mixture of hardcore punk that isn’t really in either the hardcore or punk camp.
Most prized music related item you own? That is a tough. Probably my Marshall 1971 JMP amp. But then again, as lame as it sounds, my cd collection. I know it’s just cds but it is still all my music! I don’t have the internet at home and have never downloaded anything in my life so it goes without saying that it’d be quiet times at home if that ever disappeared!
When you’re not doing band related stuff, what are you usually found doing? I am a biologist so probably at work, otherwise typing on typewriters, diving, or arguing with lazy band members as to why I am currently not doing something band related.
The thing you most look forward to just before a tour is… that brief moment of mental clarity where I berate myself for being involved with a collective bunch of klutzes….yet knowing that despite whatever happens there will always be a good story or time to be shared.
The thing you least look forward to before a tour is… having to eat out at places and not cook for myself.
ON THE STAGE
When on offer, what’s your one must have item on the rider? Food is always good, whatever it is – nibbles?
Favourite place you’ve toured… and why? I had a good time touring Japan recently. They have an incredible music scene there and everyone is so supportive of bands which I think comes from that engrained culture of respect. There is no place quite like Japan!
Most memorable show you’ve played? and why? Hmm, SXWZD played a show where we double stacked everything including the bass gear so we had 4 heads, 4 cabs for guitars, 8 x 12 for bass, two drummers…it was stupidly loud for the size room it was in. We also played at the Old Bar in Melbourne and were told to stop playing as it was too loud so we closed off with the Infest song My World, My Way. Come to think of it, I miss playing that cover.
Got a favourite song to play live? Freight Train
Any embarrassing on stage moments come to mind? Our rhythm section in general is embarrassing – well at least their haircuts.
Any pre-show rituals? We try and squeeze in one jam!
What do you find is the hardest aspect of touring in a band today? 6 members and most cars having 5 seats. Organising room for two drum kits.
RIGHT NOW
Last song you listened to? …song formerly known as – Regurgitator
Last album you acquired? All Pigs Must Die – God is War
Which band or album is currently on high rotation? Propagandhi – Failed States
Tell us an up and coming band or artist you think we should go and listen to right now? THE WEIGHT. They are an established and highly underrated hardcore band from Adelaide who are also about to release their debut album. Nothing quite like this has come out of the Adelaide HC scene and there is a great intensity about them that is unrivaled by many other Aus bands in the same genre. Another local band relatively unheard of Adelaide band is Woe. For any QOTSA fans definitely try and check this band out. Others, Search and Destroy, Hydromedusa, Weightless…there are a heaps of decent bands in so many genres coming out of Adelaide at the moment.
What’s on the cards for the next few months for the band? We will release our new album, then hit the road in mid-late November for some east coast shows.
IF ONLY…
You can pick any one album for your band to cover in full, what would it be and why? I think Meantime by Helmet would be awesome for SXWZD to cover. Such cool guitar riffs and massive drumming leaves heaps of room to mess with the songs and still keep them sounding true to their style.
You can pick any one band / artist to cover one of your albums in full, what would it be, and why? Captain Beefheart would do a pretty good job of messing up everything we are setting out to do, so let them loose!
One band you wish you were able to see live but never had the chance? It would be a tossup between the Beatles, Bad Brains and Led Zepplin. Even if some of those bands still exist I am referring to seeing them in their heyday.
One venue you have yet to play that you would love to? The collesseum.
The chance comes up to fill in for a member of a band for one tour, which band would it be, and why? I don’t think my skills on guitar are good enough to fill in for anyone but I’d love to play guitar in Propagandhi, Calexico or Danzig! I can’t play drums at all but since this is theoretical I’d love to beat the crap out of the drums in Converge or pretty much any fast and hard hitting band.
A headline tour overseas comes up, tell us two bands you’d take along to support your band. Now this is purely theoretical…
PLUG TIME
Got any final words? New Album! Grey Matter / White Matter! Record Label! Clarity Records! Tour! November! Ex-wizard Cale being an engineer on an offshore oil rig! Cale!
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Order your copy now through Clarity Records [Here].
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