Let The Bads’ times roll again
Rmike.alexander@fairfaxmedia.co.nz THE good, The Bads and the . . . well . . . the beautiful. It’s not how Clint Westwood, would have scripted it but then The Bads are anything but normal.
With their fourth album Losing Heroes, former When The Cats Away member Dianne Swann, interviewed here, and Brett Adams are gunning for more recognition as one of New Zealand’s finest alternative country outfits.
What are you plugging right now?
My band, The Bads, have a new album coming out called Losing Heroes. Brett Adams and I are the core duo of The Bads. We have been playing and writing songs together since the 90s, when we did a lot of great things in London in a band called The Julie Dolphin. This is our fourth album as The Bads, and are just as excited about Losing Heroes as our first record. For our upcoming tour, we have mustered together an amazing group: Wayne Bell, Ben King and Dave Khan.
What of someone else’s do you want to plug (music, art, food, store etc)?
Definitely Lyttelton artist Hannah Beehre – her work Tarantula is featured on our album artwork for Losing Heroes. it is so beautiful and mysterious – we are lucky to be able to use that.
How did you initially get involved in music and how long have you been part of it?
I have always been involved in music in some way or other. I remember being really young and always thinking about music, songs and what they mean. I formed a vocal group when I was 9 years old and we won a talent Steve Wheadon quest at the Whangarei town hall singing an acapella version of Bridge Over Troubled Waters. I wrote my first song around the age of 14.
What is a song you remember from childhood?
It is hard to pinpoint just one, but I remember feeling such genuine sadness every time Nobody’s Child came on the radio.
What was the first piece of music you purchased?
When one of my older sisters left home she took all of her records and so I had to save up and buy my own copy of Neil Young’s After the Gold Rush.
What’s your idea of happiness?
Noticeable absence of anxiety. That moment when you realise – actually everything is OK. Open fires, wagging dog tails, good food, playing music, sea swims, and dumb humour.
What life lesson would you pass on?
I’m still learning!!! Don’t forget to laugh. Find the love in a difficult situation – that is one from myMum– and it can be difficult but a very useful technique. Try to remember to tell people in your life what they mean to you, these things sound very obvious and trite – but can be life changing.
Which living person do you most admire and why?
Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh. He is 90 years old and is one of the best known and most respected Zen masters. He is a poet and peace and human rights activist and has led an extraordinary and inspiring life. He also has the most clear view to check in on – ‘‘Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet’’.
What are you looking forward to?
Playing our album launch shows around the country, driving around, meeting people, having some laughs, enjoying the scenery and marvelling at this country we are lucky enough to live in.