Seven Quick Questions: Fuzz Queen

Last week's Eyegum Wednesdays at San Fran showcased the talents of recently formed trio Fuzz Queen, who as the name suggests, brandish a modern twist on the 70s influences of psych-rock and glam music. Late last year the group released their debut EP Wizard Love (which you can find over here on Bandcamp) with little fuss or fanfare, but while they made their appearance at the Eyegum event last week Sophie Scott-Maunder had a chat with bandmember Stenn Francis-Deare to learn a little bit more...

1. First off, who is Fuzz Queen?

Stenn Francis-Deare, Emerald Rose and Thomas Jenkin.

2. How would you describe your sound?

We are a fuzzy, garage, boogie, good time rock 'n' roll band from Welly.

3. How old is the project?

The project is probably just under a year old, which is still pretty new in band time.

4. When I first saw you play, Fuzz Queen were a two piece. Why'd you decide to get a bassist?

Emerald and I started out as a two piece really just out of necessity, we were just sick of not playing shows. Two is the minimum for a band so we just thought fuck it let’s do it. It was really just about having fun and playing shows more than anything else. Tom joined us on bass because he moved down from Hamilton and we needed some hunk factor in the band.

5. You guys are all originally from from the Waikato. What's the music scene like in Hamilton?

Hamilton had a pretty great scene in the 2000s. A lot of great bands from Auckland and everywhere else in New Zealand came through - The Mint Chicks, Connan Mockasin, The Brunettes, The White Stripes... but it slowly seemed to dry up and less and less bands came through - because of slowly diminishing venues I guess. There were always at least a few really great local rock 'n' roll bands in Hamilton. It’s the kind of place you can get so bored so you might as well start a great rock 'n' roll band.

6. What are some of your musical influences?

I think we're influenced by a whole lot of different stuff. Heaps of classic rock 'n' roll for sure. Some soul, some boogie. We're all massive fans of T.Rex - that dude is underrated.

7. If you were stranded on a desert island, what record would you bring along with you (provided you had all the audio equipment on the island with you)?

Hmmm that’s hard. I’d bring a double album to maximise listening time. The White Album. Nah I’d go nuts listening to that too many times. Maybe Electric Ladyland... Nah probably All Things Must Pass. That album is super dope.

Tonight's Eyegum show at San Fran will feature the likes of Wolf Cult and Polar Extremes, head over here for more information.

Photo by Ezra Simons