Project Description

Q & A

with

BUTTERFINGERS

Interviewer: Jemma Bird

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The Brisbane-based band is coming off a 10-year hibernation from recording and ready to once again unleash a whole new batch of genre-defying tunes. In typical Butterfingers fashion, their latest release “Bullet To The Head” crosses over multiple genres (hip hop, punk, rock, electro) and resists the tendency to be typecast or put into a box. The track is a blistering hot, venomous reaction to the stress of modern life. Check out our chat with the band and their brand new video below.

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You’ve recently returned to the music scene after a 10 year hibernation from recording. What influenced your decision to come back?
Well, we all went off and did other things in the break and we just missed it too much. Music is what we love doing most and we’ve always liked to fill the void so to speak and I honestly feel like there’s a void out there right now that we fit into perfectly. Shows have been great so we’re back for good as far as I can tell.

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Have the people, artists, life events etc. that influenced your music 10 years ago differed to what now influences your sound?
Definitely yes but in some other ways no. Bit of a non answer but it’s true. For example, there’s so much new and different stuff I’m hearing that I take inspiration from now so it’s a broader palette. On the other hand, I used to really try to hide my core influences but all that old stuff that I love is really worn on the sleeve now because since becoming a parent, I went from giving not much of a fuck to giving absolutely zero fucks.

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Do you think that is reflective in your music?
Totally, the new song ‘Bullet To The Head’ came out the day after this most recent US school massacre and although the lyrics don’t advocate gun violence it’s a touchy subject to even go near and the old me would have probably pulled it from release. Now, I’m like, if someone can’t be bothered to listen to it analytically before making a criticism then they’re the fool and history will prove me right.

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Was it a conscious decision to not limit yourself to one genre this time around?
Yeah, and again that comes from the new zero fucks attitude. We’ve always done punk stuff & rock stuff as well as the Hip Hop but to avoid getting lumped into the Rap Rock genre (cause aside from RATM it sucked pretty hard) we used to always keep them seperate. Now I’m like fuck it, I’m gonna mix everything I can together but just making sure to do it in fresh and unique way.

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You’ve recently released your music video for ‘Bullet to the Head’. How did that song come about?
Stress! As you can probably tell. With the band (being the artist & management), my graphic design business (Hairbrain Creative), running the label (Bewilderbeats) and having family, I have no spare time and no spare cash. The song was written all in one hit down at the park when I was trying to have a break but couldn’t relax because there were so many loose ends and thoughts bouncing around in my head. I almost wanted to smash my laptop then it all just came out. Worked out well. No pressure no diamond right?

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How did the idea from the video come about?
I saw a tutorial on YouTube about how to put a CGI tank into a shot and it grew from there. Funnily enough the tank didn’t even make it into the clip. The humour and everything else comes from watching Flying High & Naked Gun on repeat as a child.

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Your about to embark on a national tour with Rapaport. What show are you most excited for?
Right now, the first one, Launceston. We’ve got a bunch of new elements to the live set and I’m just focussed on nailing that very first show. After that, it’s muscle memory. The other show that keeps popping into my head is Bunbury in regional WA. We’ve had some wild shows there in the past and the last time I played there as Evil Eddie, some fan stole the number plates off my hire car as a memento. Ticket-wise it’s also been one of the fastest selling so I have a strong feeling it’s gonna be nuts.

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Have you played with Rapaport before?
Yes. We had Rapaport with us on our last east coast run and I wouldn’t normally have the same support twice in a row but we’re going to whole bunch of spots that we didn’t go to last time, he just dropped his debut album last week and he’s such a well suited act to have playing with us that it just made sense. He’s as hip hop as it gets but is also a ripping guitarist and is performing with live drums etc – it’s a perfect match.

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Will the set-list be hard to curate this time around – considering the 10 year hiatus?
Well, we’ve found a solution to all our problems and it’s called a medley. We are jamming so much of our back catalogue into the set by mashing all the songs together. It’s refreshing for us to do it this way as well.

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You’re also playing Big Pineapple Festival in May. Who are you most most excited to see?
Violent Soho have never let me down.

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How does your setlist change from a headline show to a festival?
Festival set is usually shorter. We try to come out guns blazing regardless though.

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What performance in your career so far has been the most memorable, or surreal and why?
Getting hit in the head by a flying water bottle midway through I Love Work at the Sydney Big Day out was pretty surreal. Caught me off guard and I completely lost my place in the song. Had no idea what verse I was in. Blanked it in front of 50,000? people. Interesting feeling.

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Lastly, just for fun – what’s one song fans might be surprised you really like?
Low by Florida. My daughter and I have a routine and everything. It’s just too catchy and I’m a fan of a good hook.

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