A band who may have faded into the memory banks for some… while others have been holding their breath waiting for this moment for years… are One Dollar Short, a Central Coast based punk rock band who made quite a few waves in the early two thousands. In 2002, their debut album Eight Days Away peaked at number seven on the charts and seemed to show a band steadily on the rise. But by the time Receiving Transmission hit in 2004, the band weren’t able to catch the same wave of excitement, and disbanded indefinitely in 2005.
But rejoice fans! The band is back, playing their first show in six years at Gosford’s own Coaster Festival on September 17th. I caught up with the band’s frontman Scotte Woods to chat about this performance… though we looked back before we looked forward. Though it was seemingly understandable, I asked Scotte to reflect on the reasons they went on hiatus in 2005: “We didn’t really discuss it (the breakup), it just sort of happened. But it was a bunch of reasons. A bit of a fizzle, generally. Our motivations, friendships were under scrutiny. You also get to a point when you’re an adult and you have to ask “Is this enough? Is this enough security?” I wanted more. I wanted a business. I was looking for longevity and security.”
So now that he had found that longevity and security, how is he feeling about giving the music side of things another whirl? “Pretty good. Obviously we’ve been talking about a reunion show for a couple of years, but no one seemed overly enthusiastic about it.”
“Coaster just came together at the right time, really. We thought we’d give it a go, though we don’t want to jump the gun… we just said “let’s play Coaster… see if the shoe fits and see if the chemistry is right”. We’ve already had a few offers to do a few more shows… I dare say we’ll do a few more shows. I think we’ll need to see how well it’s received first though. If it’s received well, we’re definitely keen.”
As to whether or not this would refocus his life, Scotte couldn’t rule it out. Perhaps the lack of financial security will be just too much fun to pass up! “At the end of the day, we’ve had such a huge break… we’re renewed and revitalized. And we’re doing it for the right reasons now. We’re not trying to make it in the industry. We’re not musicicans trying to tour the countryside. We’ve all got established businesses and careers. It’s just a whole bunch of fun. We’re just a bunch of guys trying to have fun and make some music.”
As to how it’s all coming together musically? “Done a few rehersals, lookin’ and sounding good. We’re singing better than we ever did, for one – the bass guitarists was always too wasted, and the other guitarist was also too shy… but now we’re doing three part harmonies!”
After a six year break, you could blame them for being a bit rusty, but Scotte says it all came together surprisingly easily: “I had all the lyrics upstairs, I thought: I’m going to need these! But as soon as we started going we just went for it… It’s all still there. But in saying that, we did start working on a new track. It’ll be interesting… (at Coaster there will be) a demographic that were familiar with ODF, and a whole new demographic who aren’t familiar with us… Who the hell are these guys?… so the new track will be for them, too.”
We left our brief chat with a look at the industry and in particular, the punk genre. Its fall in the early two thousands was as much to do with their own fall as it was anything else. For this, Scotte blames hardcore: “Hardcore got such a stronghold, and though we had such a run, we felt we lost the place…. (looking at it in 2011) it’s still a major part of the Australian music scene, but it’s sort of a cycle… pop and melody is definitely coming back. I did guest vocals on the new record by Skyway, and that genre – people seem to be warming up on it. The genre is starting to rebuild and we’re excited to be a part of it.”
“Nervous, thrilled, anxious… can’t wait!”
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Scotte joins One Dollar Short at the Gosford Showgrounds for Coaster Festival on September 17th – which Scotte claims is “pretty much across the road from my house”. Afterparty at Scottes? Tickets on sale now – check out http://www.coasterfestival.com.au/ for more details!
