Currently in the recording studio working on their follow-up to 2009’s The Peaceful Atom Is A Bomb, Sydney’s Regular John are no strangers to most of our record players and/or iPods.
Undergoing a lineup change in between albums, which has seen the introduction of Miles Devine into the fold, it goes without saying that their new effort will be something a little different from what we’ve come to know and love. Or will it? I caught up with bassist Caleb Goman while he was in the recording studio to look back at 2011, and look forward to the next year and the new album.
Looking back at 2011, you’ve played a few shows like Big Day Out and supporting Motorhead, as you prepared to record the new album. What have been your highlights in the live arena?
Playing Motorhead and Big Day Out size shows is a different trip altogether but playing at a pub to a packed room on a Friday night is equally exciting, inspiring and motivating. I think it was really good for us to go back to the pubs for a little while. Thats where the grass grows.
How much have the shows you’ve played this year impacted what you have ended up recording for the album?
They were good for finding our feet again. We already knew what sort of album we wanted to make and most of the songs were written. Playing them live is like injecting them with vitality and energy. We know how they sound live so we know how they have to sound recorded.
More than anything, were they good opportunities to bring Miles into the fold?
Miles got thrown in the deep end. His first shows with us were Big Day Out and the Motorhead tour. He did a great job in the situation, it was like a dream come true for him, but at the same time your worst nightmare. It was good to plant our feet at the Landowne and the Townie.
How has the lineup change affected the dynamic with recording the new album? How would you compare the two experiences?
Totally different energies. We are coming from a different place with this album. It’s still heavy and loud but it’s more of a heavy love thing. Ryan, Macca and I had been jamming as a three piece for about 6 months when Miles joined. Having another guitar back in the sound really opened things up in terms with what we could do with arrangements and different sounds.
How are you feeling about the material recorded so far, and how far through the new album do you think you are?
We are three quarters done. All basic tracking has been done, we’ve just got some vocals and overdubs left. No title as of yet but the artwork has been handed down from Eargle/Horus I’m just working on getting it from the mind to the manifest.
Where are you recording and who are you working with?
We’re recording at Spacejunk studios with Tim Powles from the Church. Its a studio he has built under his house. It’s become a submarine of of sounds and sorts. We’ve taken to wearing swimming goggles to enhance creative vision.
Press releases from late 2010 and early this year indicated you were going to be heading into the studios much earlier than it seems like you ended up… Were there delays?
No real delays other than us not wanting to rush anything. We would only record when we felt we’d explored all the musical avenues we wanted check out. We originally intended on recording earlier but decided to do the run of local gigs instead. That slowed things down for about two months because we put writing on hold and went back to rehearsing set lists.
When are you hoping to get the new album out?
Sometime early next year. We’ll shoot for March I think.
You were thrown into the spotlight pretty quickly in 2009… What did you learn from the last record and the resulting touring cycle that you will be using towards your inevitable post album tour next year?
I learnt to take it easy and just enjoy what we are doing. I stopped caring what was written about us or where our photos were published. Thats all transient to the music. Touring is easy to get lost in, but you’ve got to learn how to not burn out and go with the flow. None of this should ever be a chore and it could end at any moment. So you better rock out and you better enjoy it.
What advice would you give to a band in a similar position?
Most of my advice would be related to organic methods one can employ to enhance creativity and aural sensitivity but if we’re talking about How To Keep A Band Together then the emphasis on playing music should be the play. If you’re not playing then why are you playing? Be grateful for the gigs and the fans and the friendships and follow the wizard for he knows the way!
What are you hoping 2012 will bring for Regular John?
Regular John live at Uluru.
Best of luck with the album guys! Can’t wait to hear it.
You’ll be the first to know buddy!
Photos from the recording studio courtesy of Monica Pronk.
