Parades are a young art rock band from Sydney who wisely choose to create their own music with no outside input or interference. Featuring Dan Cunningham, Tim Jenkins, Michael Scarpin and Jonathan Boulet – Parades’ debut album Foreign Tapes is out now via Dot Dash Recordings. Dan answers these questions for us!
1. What was the first band you saw live?
The first band I ever saw live was the Red Hot Chili Peppers in Sydney when I was fifteen. Unfortunately, this was in support of their post-Californication material, so there were too many new lemons weighing down their near perfect set list. They did play Higher Ground however, AND John Frusciante had the essence of the Gods flowing through him that night. Just another a day at the office for the man I suppose.
2. What’d you learn from them?
From that show, I learnt that there is only one man alive who can/should wear a leopard print loin cloth and be taken seriously. That man is Flea.
3. Got any pre-gig rituals?
It’s become apparent all too late amongst us newcomers that warming up one’s voice actually makes an enormous difference to a show. Now we try to sound decent before we get on rather than halfway through the set when audiences are at their most judgmental and Twitter-able.
4. What do you think the most important issue effecting artists in NSW is today?
The most important issue affecting artists in NSW is the quality of their art suffering before the quality of their appearance. It seems too many people prefer the idea of being an artist or a musician rather than actually being one. Don’t fake it ’til you make it…just make it, and make it good. Whatever “it” is.
5. If you weren’t a musician what do you reckon you’d be doing?
I would either be teaching English or taking up an instrument…