Interview: ///Sorry Socrates\\ (The Melting Pot Pt. I)
By Tom Kojrowicz
A little while ago we showcased ///Sorry Socrates\\ recording their debut single‘FANGS’.
With the single now available for FREE (yep, that’s right) we had a chat to Thomas J Griffin of ///SS\\ about life, musicianship and what it means to write, record and perform in a place like Brisbane - the place we soon found out people like to call ‘the melting pot’.
What do you find motivational about Brisbane in terms of music?
“Brisbane’s music scene seems to have it’s ups and downs. Currently it’s a huge melting pot of bands, a lot of which are similar in most aspects. It’s a good reason to want to diverge away from the same stuff being played week in/week out. Brisbane is getting smaller and smaller every week, it seems. Almost incestuous. In some ways it’s been handy with the music stuff going on, there’s a bit of a community you can slip into where you can circulate the music and be in touch with all the new stuff happening. Then again, it’s being at the center of that melting pot and the soup is getting diluted.”
How has indie rock progressed in Brisbane since your original dabbling in this scene?
“It seems the number of bands in Brisbane has multiplied by seven in the last two years or so. So, on a numbers basis it’s gotten big. Indie rock has had a few different transformations, appearing as if ‘indie’ is slapped onto every revival that comes into popularity. Bands reviving grunge, folk, punk, older pop, blues… even disco. Every decade’s highlight is seeing a comeback and most of it has an ‘indie’ in front of it. In that sense, where is the progression? It’s regression.”
What trends in indie rock, particularly popular in Brisbane, do you hate? What do you like?
“The way ‘they’ all follow like sheep. I do happen to like some of the facial hair making a comeback… mine included. (Laughs).”
What’s on the horizon?
“We have a couple of singles coming out within the next couple of months, a videoclip for ‘FANGS’, more shows booked for winter and more pleased eardrums.”
How do you differ from the other local stuff?
“Honestly I think we’ve got ballsy ideas and are taking an alternative approach other than the ‘indie’ (think revival) ways.”
Challenges?
“Having to do everything that’s not band related - unfortunately its not paying the rent just yet (laughs).”
The next show for ///Sorry Socrates\\ is May 19 @ The Step Inn for a new band night called ‘BowtieBonfire’ (An incentive to burn the hipster kid’s bowties).”
However, even if you do use a Mac and drink Starbucks, its a safe bet you’ll have some fun at this night, but you sure as hell won’t be hearing any Best Coast
