Interview with Jay Whalley 2018
Introduction
The interview begins with Jay Whalley, lead vocalist of Australian punk rock band Frenzal Rhomb, speaking with a radio host. Jay mentions that he is in the middle of moving house and expresses a mix of frustration and humor about the process.
Memorable Experiences in Perth
Big Day Out Incident (2003): Jay recalls a memorable but awkward incident from a Big Day Out performance in Western Australia in 2003. The band joked about the American rock band Deftones, claiming they "ate balls," which led to members of Deftones cornering Jay backstage and threatening to shoot him. Though uncomfortable, Jay laughs about the situation now and notes how unforgettable it was. Drummer's Broken Arm: Another noteworthy experience in Perth involved their drummer breaking his arm during a show after attempting to stage dive just four songs into the set. The band improvised by having other members and fans take turns playing the drums. Despite the chaos, the night turned into a memorable event, aided by the drummer’s use of pain relief from the ambulance.
Upcoming Shows and Perth's Music Scene
Jay discusses Frenzal Rhomb’s upcoming shows in Perth, including their appearance at the Friends and All Fest in February 2019 and a performance at the Newport Hotel in Fremantle. He highlights the strong local music scene, mentioning Perth bands like The Decline, as well as Frenzal Rhomb’s fellow performers, including Brisbane’s The Flanger Panties. Jay adds a humorous note, claiming that no one needs to see legends like Ozzy Osbourne and Judas Priest when they could see Frenzal Rhomb instead.
Download Festival and European Tour
Download Festival: The interviewer brings up Frenzal Rhomb’s participation in the Download Festival (held in the eastern states of Australia). Jay jokes about Ozzy Osbourne and Judas Priest being on the bill, making light of his excitement to play alongside bands like Slayer and Anthrax while sarcastically downplaying their importance.
European Tour
Frenzal Rhomb recently returned from a European tour, where they played to smaller crowds than in Australia. Interestingly, the European audiences were primarily interested in the band’s most recent two albums, released through Fat Wreck Chords, while older material was less popular. Jay also recounts a bizarre stay at a half-demolished hotel in Austria, emphasizing the eccentric experiences of touring in Europe.
Humor and Future Shows
Jay ends the interview with his trademark humor, suggesting they rename their Perth show "Download Fest" as a spoof, and jokes that the band might perform an entire set of cover songs from the Download Festival lineup.
Conclusion
The interview wraps up with the host encouraging listeners to attend Frenzal Rhomb’s Perth shows in February 2019. Jay, in good spirits, returns to the topic of moving house, which he had been trying to avoid.