Been around since?
WINTER 2007
Current line up?
Emily Littler. Callum Sleigh. Christopher Varnham. Thomas Burton.
Where are you based?
Auckland City.
Musical history?
All the Wilberforces members met and/or play[ed] in different bands, Yokel Ono, Kong, Mean Street and the Midnights. The latter two still play and record.
What were you listening to back in high school?
[Thom] I listened to Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins and Radiohead for the whole cry-wank phase. Heaps of other cringe worthy shit. Then the whole “finding myself” phase of 3Ds, Bailterspace, DJ Shadow and HDU. Unintentionally throughout school I listened to loads of Wu-Tang, West Side Connection, Cypress Hill and the Rhythm Volume Comps. 10-17. I only appreciated this when I turned about 22 [and lost my virginity]. Nah jokes. Cough.
What are you currently listening to?
I’ll try to speak for every one else this time, I’m pretty good at it…Coco Solid, Ariel Pink, Sharpie Crows, Aphex Twin, Warrior Queen, Autechre, This Heat, Bailterspace, 3Ds, The Fall, Nina Simone, Silver Apples, Suicide, Kanye West, Outkast. Wu Tang, Wipers, Fugazi, and minstrel circa 1920. And Early Couch Blanket.
The state of music in NZ is…?
Probably the same it is everywhere else, only with less diversity, creativity, flavour, fire, imagination. etc. I mean most bands/acts in my eyes, the “bigger” NZ ones seem like they are trying to sanitize themselves or water themselves down so they have more appeal to the elusive “international market”. Excuse the vitriol. The main reason is that there is just hardly anything around that I really want to listen to. Maybe it’s all being made in bedrooms, then put on the web by naïve kids thinking they’ll be a viral sensation. More all ages shows I think are needed? Or maybe I’m just a fucking wanker with no idea about what’s going on. I’m sure a lot of you out there will agree with the latter. There is some really interesting punk and no wave coming out of Wellington at the moment though, then again there always has been a place in Godzone for the lathe cut noise/ avant-garde 10” acetate that an accountant in Prague will pay 200 Euros for. They’re trying to make me go to rehab, and I said no, no, no.
What’s your favorite place to play?
The McGillicuddy Serious HQ in Te Pahu. They have a Jig there every anniversary weekend. Either that or my friends barn in Whananaki, in Northland. A packed Ward Lane in Hamilton if I was going to pick a “real” venue. But everyone knows parties are way better.
What was your favorite show?
A 21st we played in Whananaki.
This is album number?
One. An E.P with a different line up before this one called: Live from the 5 Volcanoes.” It’s only available at shows until they run out, which is soon…
What is your recording process?
SHUT THE FUCK UP! PLAY WHAT I FUCKING SAID! REMEMBER ?! WHO WROTE THE SONG! ANSWER ME! THAT’S RIGHT! FROM THE FUCKING TOP THE WAY IT ACTUALLY FUCKING GOES THIS TIME! And a one, and a two, and a three…Something like that.
What's been your best recording experience?
The engineer kicking his chair across the room and calling me a useless cunt before storming out of the studio.
What’s been your worst recording experience?
Oh wait…
Biggest achievement thus far?
We haven’t broken up yet.
Favorite radio show/station?
FLEET FM. Knights of Serrato, Sunday, 2-4. 88.3 Word.
The Future holds…?
A Tidal Waves 7”, This album, more videos, positive vibes…difficult solo endeavors…and all your young nubile bodies being ravaged by the cruel hand of time. Love Ya. xox
