THE
BASICS
Name : Fleur Jack
Band : The Twitch (Dirty Rock and Roll from New Zealand)
Job In Band : Bass Player/ Lead Vocals
Website Address : myspace.com/thetwitchnz
HOME
Hometown : We're from West Auckland, NZ
Hometown is best known for : Sluts / Bogans / Old
school cars and leather.
Best venue in your hometown : The Dogs Bollix and
or The Kings Arms - For underground rock and roll that is.
THE BAND
How long has the band been going?
We started out in 2003, bonded over $1 beers at the local pub down
the road from our music school. It was a school where we got to jam
for two hours a day and at the end of it we got Diplomas. Win - Win
Many lineup changes along the way?
We used to have another girl bass player for about the first six months
and when she left, I took up the role of bass as well as singing.
The boys were really skeptical of my ability to do it until I showed
up to the next practice ready to rock and roll with a brand new bass,
it was like clockwork.Since, we've remained a tight crew both musically
and personally - I would do anything for the boys, they are my family!
How would you describe your sound to the average person on
the street?
Dirty, filthy rock and roll that will make you want to party, perhaps
go home with someone from the dancefloor and lose a few morals along
the way.We like to have a good time, all the time!
What's your most recent release? Tell us a little about it...
'Time for Change' is our second album. It was produced by a local
hero for us, Jimmy Christmas, who helped take our songs to the next
level. Our first release 'What The Fuck Is Going On?' was really ragged
around the edges and we loved it being so raw but it was really nice
to step it up a notch for 'Time For Change'. The songs on the second
album are still really rock and roll with a punky attitude but this
time, we spent a lot of time on arrangements and hooks that we're
proud of.
Got a favourite track that you have released so far?
Probably "Get Real Fucked" - Of course with the lyrical
content, it'd never make mainstream radio or telly, but it's so filled
with attitude and it means alot to us as a band. The video for it
took two parties, two gigs, a keg and about a year to put out - Check
it out here
OFF THE STAGE
What was your first introduction to music that made you think seriously
about playing it?
I was forced into it from a young age. I hated my piano lessons and
used to wag - I used to hide behind the local shop until it was time
to go home. It's funny because the first chance I got to give it up,
I just traded to another instrument. It must have been in my blood
because i've always played something.
What was your first band name, and what style did you play?
I had an acoustic duo in high school that lasted about a month called
Medusa. Followed it up with a second acoustic duo when i left high
school that was called Paddington (after the bear) and another short
lived acoustic duo called Radamungous in around 2009. The Twitch were
actually called Tourettes for about the first three months before
realizing we weren't the only one in Auckland. And i'm in a country
band called Pavlova and the Jandals who have released an album and
done a bit of touring around NZ.
Most prized music related item you own?
The Precious! - It's a beautiful beat up old P-Bass that was my Stepdad's
and he played it in bands in Sydney for around ten years before it
made it home to his closet to retire. It took me about another ten
years to convince him that he should let me play it and I love it
more that any other instrument that i've ever owned. It plays like
a dream and if someone help a gun to my head, they'd have to kill
me before i'd give it up!
The thing you most look forward to just before a tour is...
Getting in the van and hitting the highway! It's an amazing feeling
similar to a plane taking off. My stomach does backflips for about
a week before we travel anywhere, not like nerves but excitement of
what's ahead. Usually there's a bit of nakedness. There's always a
new die hard fan that throws you an after party and then there's meeting
rad people from different towns that you fall in love with and have
to say goodbye to every night.
The thing you least look forward to before a tour is...
Not much really to do with the tours themselves but I hate the end
of the tour and that first day back at work, sitting in front of the
computer screen all jittery that it's over. I usually start planning
the next one to keep my mind off it though!
When your not doing band related stuff, what are you usually
found doing?
I'm a radio DJ for a station that plays all NZ music called Kiwi Fm
and I do the night show weeknights. I listen to music all day everyday
and get to talk to bands for a living - it is totally rad!
ON THE STAGE / ROAD
Best rider item you've ever received without requesting it?
Surprise visit from Phil Rudd from ACDC on a tour a few years back
near his home town.
Favourite place (city/town/country) you’ve toured…
and why?
It's a toss up between Hong Kong/ Canada and Melbourne for me, I can't
wait to get back to Melbourne to play!
Most memorable show you've played? and why?
Playing in Hong Kong for World Battle of the bands is up there for
sure. It was amazing sharing the stage with bands from 6 other countries
all in the one night and i'll never forget it.
Worst 'guilty pleasure' artist / song you've come across on
a bandmates iPod?
We all have similar tastes and we're all open to loads of different
styles so this is a hard one, in fact I don't think I have a single
memory of thinking 'this song sucks' while we've had the ol' ipod
on shuffle and this is our third tour this year - We must all have
impeccable taste!
Who in your group has the worst “bad habit” on
tour, and what is it?
Goes on / stays on ....right? I think that we've been living in and
out of each others pockets for so long that we don't notice them any
more. Josh has a tendancy to smell a bit from time to time but he's
getting better at personal hygiene these days.
RIGHT NOW
Where are you?
Ponsonby, Auckland at Kiwi Fm Radio Station (Work).
What's the last song you listened to?
The MurderChord - The Radiation song from their swarm one EP - Love
them!
Which band is currently rockin' your world?
I really love a band called Devils Elbow from Napier, they've got
a country style about them but with a punky edge and again The MurderChord
who're a duo from Auckland - Total punk rock but on keys and drums
which is a really refreshing change to the guitar line ups.
Tell us a band we should all go and listen to right now?
Yebiisu from Auckland - They're a dub/ reggae band and they have a
great live show!
IF ONLY...
If you could pick any one album to cover from start to finish, what
would it be and why?
Oh man too many - I think being a muso, my taste changes daily but
if it was today - Nirvana Nevermind. It was my first ever CD and i'm
pretty sure it's still my favourite.
If you could pick any one band / artist to cover one of your
albums from start to finish, what would it be, and why?
I'd like to see Joan Jett do our first album - she's a babe and rocks
the house, she's a fire cracker!.
If you could pick one band to re-unite so you could play a
one-off show with, who would it be, and why?
The D4! They were my hero's they were an Auckland based band and did
well overseas as well as in NZ I would love to throw myself around
their dance floor like a wildchild!
One big tour, you can take two currently active bands to support
you, who would you choose, and why?
MurderChord and Devils Elbow because I love their music and would
enjoy a pre-gig dance to them before jumping on stage. I could have
said Motley Crue and Motorhead here but I figured I should be realistic
and I really do love any chance to spread the kiwi bands to the world! |
|
The
Twitch are heading to Melbourne this week for a few shows.
They'll kick things off with a TV performance on Channel 31's 'The
1700 Show' at 5pm on Thursday 25th November. Later that night they
head to the Blue Tile Lounge where they are joined by Vimm and Freaks
Of The Deep. Then Friday 26th you can catch them at Revolver Upstairs
alongside The Happy Endings. |
|
::: INTERACT :::
