DZ Deathrays are one of the co-headliners of the Push Over Festival happening next Monday 11th March down in Melbourne. The duo have had a huge last 12 months plugging their ‘Bloodstreams‘ album all around the world, and are getting closer to their next release. But before they do, Australian audiences are their target and they’ll play the Blue Stage of Push Over from 6:10pm. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster. We caught up with Shane from the band to answer our Hotseat Questions this week. Expand this post to check out his answers.
THE BASICS
Name : Shane Parsons
Band : DZ Deathrays
Job In Band : Guitar / vocals
Website Address : www.dzdeathrays.com
HOME
Hometown : Bundaberg
Hometown is best known for : Rum / Gingerbeer / Sugar / drinks / floods
Best venue in your hometown : Someone’s back yard
Favourite show you’ve seen in your hometown : Jebediah
Favourite show you’ve played in your hometown : yet to play one.
THE BAND
How did the band first come to exist? Came from an old band called Denzel which split in 2009 and Simon and I continued to go as a two-piece focusing on music best suited for houseparties.
How long has the band been going? About 4.5yrs
Any particular story behind the name? Denzel -> DZ (joke name) -> DZ is also a dubstep dj -> we had a track called Deathray (now rad solar) = DZ DEATHRAYS
What’s your most recent release? Tell us a little about it… Bloodstreams is our album that came out almost a year ago. It was a collection of tracks written over 3yrs and we have been touring it mostly overseas for the past 1year.
Got a personal stand out achievement of your band to date? Opening for Foo Fighters and hugging Dave Grohl.
OFF THE STAGE
What was your first introduction to music that made you think seriously about playing it? Traveling down to Livid in Brisbane as a kid and just wanting to be on stage, closest you could get was on top of the crowd, so I did that instead.
Any particular band / album or song that you personally credit as a major influence? Violent Soho about 6 years ago
Your first band name, and what style did you play? Slothspeed… I cant even tell you.
Most prized music related item you own? My pedal board, pedals included.
When you’re not doing band related stuff, what are you usually found doing? Hanging with puppies
The thing you most look forward to just before a tour is… not knowing where you will sleep and copious amounts of fast food
The thing you least look forward to before a tour is… driving to pick up stuff in cities
ON THE STAGE
When on offer, what’s your one must have item on the rider? Tequila
Favourite place you’ve toured… and why? The USA. it’s just so sprawling and each city is so different. Plus it’s a massive challenge to be able to make your way around the states, you feel accomplishment after 6 weeks going anti clockwise around that place.
Most memorable show you’ve played? and why? Brisbane – the Rev – shit got really crazy. I was actually scared for the crowds safety. It looked awesome though.
Got a favourite song to play live? Teenage Kickstarts.
Any embarrassing on stage moments come to mind? I always say “we are dz deathrays from Brisbane, Australia” when i’m in Australia. Its actually starting to piss me off that I keep doing it.
Any pre-show rituals? Stretch!
What do you find is the hardest aspect of touring in a band today? Having enough money to tour!
RIGHT NOW
Last song you listened to? Radiation by Radiation Frushtuck
Last album you acquired? Shellac – At Action Park
Which band or album is currently on high rotation? Cloud Nothings – Attack on Memory
Tell us an up and coming band or artist you think we should go and listen to right now? If you haven’t already, POND.
What’s on the cards for the next few months for the band? Push Over Festival, DJ Sets at Groovin’ The Moo and a few side shows around it. Cant wait to play for Australian audiences again.
IF ONLY…
You can pick any one album for your band to cover in full, what would it be and why? Justice – Cross. The riffs are fun and its awesome trying to cover dance songs.
You can pick any one band / artist to cover one of your albums in full, what would it be, and why? Johnny Cash – because he does covers better than the original
One band you wish you were able to see live but never had the chance? Refused. Fuck!
One venue you have yet to play that you would love to? Brixton Academy.
The chance comes up to fill in for a member of a band for one tour, which band would it be, and why? David Guetta – so I can do the point thing to the crowd
A headline tour overseas comes up, tell us two bands you’d take along to support your band. From Australia, Violent Soho and Dune Rats
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DZ Deathrays – Bloodstreams
Available now on CD [Here] or iTunes [Here]
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Catch DZ Deathrays at the Push Over Festival on Monday March 11th, Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne. Tickets from Ticketmaster.
Playing the Blue Stage at 6:10pm – 6:40pm
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