Photo: TheFrowningClouds.Bandcamp.com
I recently had a chat with Jake Robertson from the Frowning Clouds. We talked about the band’s success and their progression from a small band from Geelong to being a well-known psychedelic/garage/surf-rock name in Australia. I’ve been listening to their music for years and think that they are one of the best bands in their genre.
Where do you guys come from and where did you meet?
The other guys used to skate together when they were in high school. I moved down from NSW in 2010 and joined the band because I’d never met anybody my own age who was into this kinda music.
What got you guys involved in music?
Pretty sure the others got into it from skate videos. For me, it was AC/DC, then discovering Easybeats… then filling in the pieces.
How would you describe your music?
Before I was in the band, I thought The Frowning Clouds were a wild R’n’B band full of ratbags. To me it had way more punk attitude than any of the red haired crusty nose rings I saw playing their LTD’s through a metal zone, and they didn’t even use distortion. After I joined – and this isn’t a direct result of me joining – I think we became a bit tamer. If there’s one thing I hate it’s people over 18 jumping around on a stage in performance, but I think the song writing got a lot better and more diverse. Who wants to play 12 bar for more than year?
Where does the name of your band originate?
Pretty sure Nick made this up and was referencing a Moody Blues song.
What are your musical icons and influences?
When I first joined, I remember us all listening to a lot of Kinks, Television Personalities and Love.
What do you think of the way that music is downloaded and broadcasted in our current day and age?
I love it. I’ve discovered so much great music on blogs and soulseek.
What’s been your favorite moment as a band?
The two European tours we did were definitely up there. Not even for the shows – it’s just like going on a two month holiday with four of your best friends. Take that flavor then add meeting 50 likeminded people from around the other side of the world who you still keep in contact with to the recipe and you’ve got a pretty good soup.
What are your plans for the future say 10 years down the track?
Reissue all of our albums on colored CD-R’s. Take advantage of the nerds.
If you could be any animal, what would it be?
Anything but a garage turkey
Who would win a fight between Spiderman and Batman?
Mr Natural will bury them both.
Any last words?
Don’t do anything you wouldn’t ever want to do when you’re thinking of doing something that you would do.
Note: You can listen to the Frowning Clouds and find their music here.
