The Cairns Review

 

Where are you today answering our questions?

Laurel Canyon, in LA.

You are part of one of Australia's most successful musical exportsof the pastdecade JET what made you want to come out with your own band?

I have a cache of songs...hundreds of them, and there was a particular batch of them that just couldn't fit with JET,they had nothing in common with JET really.
JET were having a lot of time off, so I wanted to make the most of it.

How did Damndogs develop and come about?

I called my cousin Mitch, and we flew to Marrakesh together, and we decided on DAMNDOGS as a name, and started showing each other songs on a guitar which I bought at the souk for about six bucks. Then we went back to LA and it snow-balled into what it is today. 

This album is only available as a digital download will it be released in a physical format at some point?

With the album? Who knows? At this point, music as a physical format doesn't make as much sense as it used to. We hand stamped and packaged a limited run of EP's that will be available from our website within the next month though, they look real nice. 

Do you have a record deal for Damndogs?

No. There isn't a huge advantage doing a record deal these days in my opinion when you're starting out as we are. It stunts your growth. I don't really want someone telling me how DAMNDOGS should sound, or who we should sell it to. In the future, when we've been around for longer and people know about us, it could be a good Idea. We certainly aren't running around with our cap in hand! 

I have been watching on Facebook and you have been touring fairly non-stop throughout the US....has this been fun?

It's been incredible. The venues are different...we've been playing 'clubs' as opposed to 'rock venues', so there's more dancing than head-banging.

Is it a fairly different touring experience to a JET Tour?

There's no comparison. 

You must have played a lot of venues in your time on the road both with JET and Damndogs? What are your favourite venues to play and why?

For some reason, the atmosphere at a UK show is always mind-blowing. They pack 'em in like sardines, turn off the air, and drink beer all night. So it's sweaty and loud...and there is an energy in the audience that you can see and feel from the stage. Particularly the further north you go, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow. Madness really. They love it. 

You will be playing again at Homebkae in December what can the audience expect?

Big sounds. It's just really hard to describe for me, still. Like I said, it ain't rock 'n' roll music, it has more of an electronic feel, but yet it's intense, not light and celebratory. It packs a punch I think. There won't be anything on the bill that sounds like us. 

What does it mean to you to be playing Homebake?

Love Homebake. It's always an incredible day. Mostly because the bands know each other and so we're all back there having fun you know? This year Grinderman are playing, which is exciting. Can't wait to see them.

What does 2012 have in store for Damndogs?

In January we're headed back to the US to work on new songs, and then we're going to sxsw. We're supporting a great band all the way there, through February, but I can't say who it is yet! Then we're going to get in the studio and finish our record. 

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

I can't even begin to imagine. In a convent.

What has been your favorite travel destination? Why?

Paris. There's just no-where more beautiful in my opinion. It's classic.

If you could record with any musician living or dead who would it be?

Joe Strummer, well, that's today anyway. 

What's the best thing about being a musician?

Seeing the world...getting paid. 

What's the worst thing about being a musician?

Airports.  

Chris Cester will be playing with Damndogs @ Homebake in Sydney on December 3rd

Tickets are on sale NOW