Interview with Joe from the Nevernudes....
Been around since?
Started practicing in late 2008, started playing shows in early 2009.
Current line up?
Anthony Drent – Vocals + Guitar
Joe Trotman – Vocals + Guitar
Chris Smart – Bass
Tom Nichols – Drums
Where are you based?
Auckland
Musical history?
Anthony, Chris and Tom met at school. I met Anthony and Chris when we were both in shit bands competing at a rockquest regional final.
How would you describe your sound?
Someone called it “Noise Pop” the other day. I think that’s pretty accurate. “Experimental Punk”? I quite like that.
What are you listening to at the moment?
Pavement, Superchunk, System of a Down, Taylor Swift, “Scream Walk” by Street Chant, early Modest Mouse, Thursday, Alexisonfire, The Notwist, Mogwai, The Mae Shi, The Fall of Troy, cLOUDDEAD, Converge.... Also, preparing my ears for the ridiculous amount of awesome bands coming! Crocodiles! Ponytail! WHY?! Akron/Family! PIXIES!!! It’s going to be suuuuch a good summer.
What were you listing to in High School?
Still in high school, yo!
What is your writing/recording process?
At the moment we have two songwriters, me and Anthony. Usually, one of us will turn up to practice with pretty much a whole song worked out that we teach to the rest of the band. Once everyone has learnt everything we play it through and all decide together if anything needs changing or adding or taking out or etc. Recently we’ve taken a more collaborative approach though, more jamming and stuff. Also, I think/hope Chris is gonna write some songs soon.
Your Dream Collaboration?
Morgan Henderson from Past Lives, formerly of The Blood Brothers would be fun to be in a band with, I think. Thom Yorke and Johnny Greenwood? One day I want Steve Albini to record us. All of these people would consider me an embarrassment to work with though....
Any releases coming up?
We just released an 8 minute long, 4 song collection of songs that we recorded with Michael Logie (F In Math, ex-Mint Chicks). We wanna release another EP over the summer as well. Maybe a couple of split 7”s with some bands we like also! Ideally we’ll release something ever couple of months!
If you could have any original vinyl release in the world what would it be?
I don’t put that much stock in this kind of thing, eh. If you’ve got the tunes and you really dig listening to them then why does it matter where you got them or what format they’re in or etc? I mean of course, if the fidelity is ridiculously low, you need to get a different copy, but I don’t understand spending huge amounts of money on an album just to have it ON VINYL!!!
Of all the instruments you own, or have owned, what is your favourite?
Uhmmm... my guitar is the only instrument I have... it’s rad, though. It’s a 1967 (I think) Fender Mustang with all the original parts and stuff. It actually has some pretty annoying flaws that are really starting to bug me but you know, every relationship has its hurdles, I guess. Hopefully, we’ll just end up a stronger unit as a result of overcoming these hurdles. Compromise. Mutual Sacrifice. No one is the perfect partner. Sometimes her output is frustratingly low for some reason, sometimes I leave the toilet seat up.
What do you enjoy most about music?
If music didn’t exist I would have no friends....
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learnt musically in the last year?
When you play a bad show, never like, declare it. Like, never go up to someone and say “man, we were so crap, real sorry, eh” and if someone compliments you after never go “oohhhh naaaaah”. Just take the damn, compliment, jeez!
What’s the best concert you have ever been to?
Maaaaan no idea. I can think of three shows off the top of my head that had a big impact on me: Green Day at the North Shore Events Centre, March 2005. The Mint Chicks at the Transmission Room, December 2007 and Deerhunter in June this year.
Best or most memorable gig you have ever played?
Hmmm all the all ages shows we played at the start of the year in random as venues were the most fun I think. Cross Street Studios with Die! Die! Die!, in a school hall in Devonport with Wilberforces and God Bows to Math and Central Caffe (x2) with Thought Creature and Street Chant. I’m sorry we haven’t organised any more of these shows in ages, everyone! Been busy and stuff....
If you could share the stage with anyone (band or person) who would it be?
I just created my dream festival line-up on Facebook, I will use that Top 5 application to answer this question. Radiohead, Sonic Youth, At The Drive-In, The Blood Brothers, My Bloody Valentine. No one leaves without tinnitus.
Best band that nobodies ever heard of?
Nevernudes!
The future holds…?
Like I said, ideally we’d like to release something every couple of months from now on. More shows with sweet bands. We need to find a new all ages venue where we can play shows frequently, not have to worry about noise control etc. Oh, we’re playing Campus a Low Hum! And a small tour of NZ in January, hopefully.
The state of music in NZ is….
My opinion changes depending on my mood. I think next year is going to be a lot better than this year. Especially if someone can find a decent all ages venue. As it is, if you like good music and are underage, you get to go to about 5 shows a year, which I think is pretty lame. Cool bands have formed recently; I rate FATANGRYMAN, Catholic Guilt and Nice Birds. Benjii Jackson and Martin from God Bows to Math have started a label called MUZAI, who I imagine are going to start putting out some sweet releases really soon. They are both sweet dudes as well; it’ll be sweet to have some gatekeepers who aren’t completely unintimidating and totally willing to give anyone a chance.
Also, Wilberforces and Sharpie Crows have both released awesome albums this year, and Street Chant are gonna release theirs early 2010 I think so, yeah, there is some good stuff happening.
It’s not just a case of looking past the Top 40 though, even a lot of what’s played on bFM is quite bland now, you really need to get your hands dirty to find interesting stuff. I find it quite sad that in order to do this, it seems like you need a fake ID.
I just realised everything I just wrote is stuff that’s happened/happening in Auckland, sorry rest of NZ. I imagine cool stuff is happening everywhere, but I’m just not aware of it. That, or everywhere else is dead. And to be honest, I wouldn’t even characterise the Auckland scene as “vibrant” or “thriving”. Give it about a year though....
Oh also, I only know about the indie scene, I have no idea what NZ hardcore or metal or hip hop is like right now....
