who, what, when, where, why with… beans

When did Beans get together? Mitch Rice: We started jamming in high school, around 2011. We were playing music for fun, with little aspiration of taking it further. We spent a good four years hanging out before we decided to play a real gig. Best time to listen to your tunes? Jack Kong: At a gig in a POST-COVID world. Outside of that, in a paddock bomb at full throttle, with the windows down and the volume up. Who cracks the best jokes? Lachy Mckiernan: If we had a dollar for every zinger that came out of Jack’s mouth, we’d be a wealthy band. And who has the best hair? JK: Mitch will have to cop that. He highly recommends the Lush Soak and Float shampoo and their American Cream conditioner, followed by a rigorous session with the Tangle Teezer. What influences your music? Vinnie Clementson: Our tastes come from far and wide, from Bette Midler to Nina Simone. Some of the influences you can hear are the melodic workings of Yes and Queen, and the songwriting prowess of ABBA and Electric Light Orchestra. What can we expect from a Beans gig? Matt Blach: Our goal is for everyone to have a bit of fun. Kongy and Mitch will usually try to trade daggy licks and see who can make the other one laugh first. Most importantly, we expect everyone to feel safe and comfy. Best place to hang out in Geelong? MR: Growing up, it was the Piping Hot Chicken Shop in Ocean Grove. Most of your favourite Geelong bands played their first gigs there. Why did you change your name from Baked Beans? LM: Everyone referred to us as ‘Beans’ already, so it came naturally. And Baked Beans was a last-minute decision before our first gig so they could put something on the poster. Some people love it, some hate it, but you could call us anything and we’d still show up.