THE
BASICS
Name : Josh Mann
Band : Paper Arms
Job In Band : Vocals/Guitar
Website Address : myspace.com/paperarms
HOME
Hometown : Adelaide
Hometown is best known for : Balls.
Best venue in your hometown : I like the Jade Monkey,
and Jive. Always have a lot of fun at alleyway shows too though.
THE BAND
How long has the band been going?
We jammed together for a long time before playing a show. Our first
show though, was in November 2008.
Many lineup changes along the way?
Fortunately for us, we’ve kept the same members the whole
time. At the moment I think that’s a pretty big deal for us
in terms of band dynamic. Everyone brings their own personality
and direction into the Paper Arms mix, and things would change a
lot if we were to lose any of the 4 of us.
How would you describe your sound to the average person
on the street?
Ah, this question is the bane of my existence as a lot of average
people ask it! If you know punk rock, I would say we are a Gainesvillle
come Melbourne, Hot Water Music meets Small Brown Bike, punk rock
band. If you don’t know those bands I end up saying “Kinda
like the heavier end of Foo Fighters” which the average person
in the street gets psyched on. Haha.
What's your most recent release? Tell us a little about
it...
We just launched our debut full length, Days Above Ground. It’s
got 10 tracks and was produced by Walter Schreifels from Gorilla
Biscuits/Quicksand/Rival Schools. I’m really proud of it.
It was a lot of hard work, but I feel like the songs are some of
the best we’ve written and it has a lot of variety from start
to finish.
Got a favourite track that you have released so far?
Bricks & Mortar is one of them for sure. It’s up on our
myspace at the moment. It’s probably one of the most straight
ahead songs on the record, but it’s pretty much devoted to
my love/hate relationship with Adelaide. You see there’s a
lot of things this town has given us that nowhere else could, and
some amazing friends, and bands and experiences that will always
make Adelaide home. However there’s also a lot I would change
about it if I could. Bricks & Mortar is kind of a call to arms
to people like me in Adelaide to be the change you want to see in
the city. I’m sure people from most cities will be able to
relate to the sentiment though.
OFF THE STAGE
What was your first introduction to music that made you think seriously
about playing it?
For me personally, my Dad was always in bands when I was a kid.
When you’re surrounded by it all the time it just makes sense
to do it yourself. I started playing in cover bands at school pretty
young. Like about 13 years old. Was in my first touring band by
15 and then it’s a slippery slope to where we are.
What was your first band name, and what style did you play?
Oh snap! Really? That’s not a fair question. Haha. Ok –
Hucklenut. Mostly Nirvana covers, but also some Frenzal Rhomb, Blink
182 and Rage. We did a demo too, but I don’t have a copy anymore.
Terrible name I know but It was like 1996. Gimme a break. Haha.
Most prized music related item you own?
Screen printed, block mounted Hot Water Music poster? I don’t
really have a lot of memorabilia. Tom has a Less Than Jake record
that looks like a piece of cheese…
The thing you most look forward to just before a tour is
Sleeping in my own bed.
The thing you least look forward to before a tour is
Red eye flights. We seem to always get them too…
When your not doing band related stuff, what are you usually
found doing?
Me and Tom are usually working on graphic design projects, Mike
is usually doing photography or pouring drinks, Max is quietly plotting
a global takeover I suspect.
ON THE STAGE / ROAD
Best rider item you've ever received without requesting it?
Does sneaking into a touring band’s back stage room (after
they’ve left) and pillaging the remainder of their rider like
seagulls on a bag of chips count? In which case I’d have to
say Rise Against’s remaining rider of a million beers/energy
drinks/frozen meals/bread/breakfast cereals etc. was a pretty good
one.
Favourite place (city/town/country) you’ve toured…
and why?
We don’t really have a favourite. It was awesome touring Tasmania
early last year, not knowing anything to expect and having a heap
of people knowing all our lyrics and singing along. Melbourne’s
always good. Practically a second home for us. We’re just
grateful if people come out anywhere though really.
Most memorable show you've played? and why?
I’d have to say the show supporting Walter in Adelaide at
Jive was pretty awesome. Was just like a crazy moment where we realized
we’d successfully gotten him to Australia, recorded an album
and put on such a fun show where every person walked out with a
big goofy grin. That was a real good night.
Worst 'guilty pleasure' artist / song you've come across
on a bandmates iPod?
Our drummer, Tom, has decided it’s compulsory to play Jump
by Van Halen extremely loud in the tour van at least once per trip.
Also Max has an obsession with Prince. I don’t own an ipod.
Sucks to be me.
Who in your group has the worst “bad habit”
on tour, and what is it?
Me. Vegan farts/Obsession with Lord Of The Fries every Melbourne
trip. The two may go hand in hand…
RIGHT NOW
Where are you?
Adelaide.
What's the last song you listened to?
Angles by Blueline Medic.
Which band or album is currently rockin' your world?
Tom Waits. Every album.
Tell us a band we should all go and listen to right now?
Arrows.
IF ONLY...
If you could pick any one album to cover from start to finish, what
would it be and why?
Repeater by Fugazi. Cause it rules.
If you could pick any one band / artist to cover one of
your albums from start to finish, what would it be, and why?
Midnight Oil. Cause that would mean that Peter Garrat would have
to have a break from politics and get back to playing music. Also
it would be amazing. Haha.
If you could pick one band to re-unite so you could play
a one-off show with, who would it be, and why?
Embrace. Cause they lasted such a short time, but that album is
still so good.
One big tour, you can take two currently active bands to
support you, who would you choose, and why?
Small Brown Bike, cause they rule and I really want to see them
a lot of times. And Parkway Drive because it’d be nice to
have 5000 people at every show. |
|
NEW
ALBUM
DAYS ABOVE GROUND
AVAILABLE NOW |
|
::: INTERACT :::
