With their anticiapted tour kicking off TOMORROW, we caught up with JC Carroll from legendary UK group The Members to talk about their 34 year absence from our country, what we can expect from the shows, playing Glastonbury, reuniting with Rudi Thompson for the Australian show, working with Rat Scabies and more…
Having Rudi on board makes the line-up for the Australian tour a very special one… can you talk about what it means to bring everyone together for these shows?
Its an amazing feeling playing with him after all these years.. I work really hard to bring The Members shows around the World…you will not be disappointed.
How would you describe your more recent experiences on the road, and at festivals like Glastonbury?
being on the Road now is different we go sightseeing we travel all round the world we see lots of Great Castles and Churches in Europe we drive through the Ice and the Snow…
Playing at Glastonbury is like entering a gigantic City where your social status is decided by your wristband.. Its fantastic playing for the crowd but a nightmare getting your gear in and out of.
What has it been like working with Rat Scabies?
Rat is a Fantastic drummer.. his playing is different to all other drummers I have worked with as he is very influenced by Ginger Baker from the Cream
How does touring these days compare to life on the road together in the 70s and 80s?
Its the Same a Show every Night… lots of adrenaline… there are differences.. we are here to play and not to party too much….
It’s been 34 years since you last toured Australia – what do you remember of your last time down here?
Yes we where there for nearly two weeks we had a lot of fun in the sunshine the Great thing about being in a band is your travel to lots of amazing places… so I cant wait to see australia again I guess its changed a lot.
What are your expectations of this tour?
We expect to have fun and Rock hard and re-aquaint Australians with our sound.
Anything in particular you’re looking forward to doing while in our country?
I have a Night off in Melbourne and in Perth so have some nice food maybe go for a ride in an airplane with my mate Min.
You released InGrrLand back in March of last year – have you started thinking about what might be coming next?
I am doing an acoustic Album. We might do a reggae album in the new year.
It would be hard to argue that your music hasn’t influenced a myriad of punk bands that have followed in the last few decades. Are there any bands you’ve been particularly impressed by within the genre in more recent years?
There are lots of Great young bands out there its difficult to choose obviously… I like Arctic Monkeys New Records a Lot.. I like lots of different types of music but some so called Punk Bands things its all about anger and aggression and fashion Tattoos and leather, it was certainly not about that back in the day….
—————
The tour kicks off in Melbourne tomorrow night. Full dates below:
Tuesday 12th November | Northcote Social Club, MELBOURNE
w/ The Go Set + The Bennies
Tickets: www.oztix.com.au // www.northcotesocialclub.com
Wednesday 13th November | Prince of Wales Nundah, BRISBANE
w/ Goldstool + The Funaddicts
Tickets: www.oztix.com.au // Oztix outlets
Thursday 14th November | Hermanns Bar, SYDNEY
w/ Riot Nine + Everything I Own Is Broken
Tickets: www.oztix.com.au // www.hermannsbar.com
Friday 15th November | The Ed Castle, ADELAIDE
w/ Perdition, The Systemaddicts + The Labrats
Tickets: www.oztix.com.au // Oztix outlets
Saturday 16th November | Rosemount Hotel, PERTH
w/ The Lungs, The New Husseins + Them Sharks
Tickets: www.oztix.com.au // Oztix outlets
