Interview with Angus Leslie and Zak Giles Pidd (Sex On Toast)
Ah, the double interview. A format crushing the monolithic reign of ‘one frontman, three or a dozen members but hey only we talk’. And nobody is better at the form that the boundary-pushing, always lovely Sex On Toast. I was made aware of these guys from their last single, Oh Loretta!, a giddy little number with influences most acts in the ‘indie’ sphere wouldn’t dare touch - blue eyed soul??? Funk??? FUN???
Anyway, I digress. I think the band speak better for themselves so -
Here’s our chat.
Hi Angus/Zak! I've been meaning to do this for a long time. So thanks a ton for the opportunity!
Like so many other projects, I like to discuss how you guys named your band. Was there ever any impetus when you guys became more well-known to have a more 'serious' or 'professional' name? (I like that this didn't occur!)
Angus: I suppose there was talk some talk of it. Then I decided that this band is a prison and so is it's name. It's also really easy to google.
Zak: That’s a funny story! We were actually originally called “Piss Puddle Pete and The Silly Doggy” but it cost too much to telegram anyone so we chose a name with less syllables. If you listen carefully you can hear my grandparents’ parents screaming our old name on every song we’ve ever recorded. A prominent one is at about the 12 minute mark of ‘Universe boy’.
How did you all meet up? There's so many members, even pretty good fans like me can't really keep up - do people come in and out or is it a pretty tight cast usually?
Angus: Our cast of characters in terms of actual band members has been the same since mid-2013. We also have a cast of stand-ins for when the lead actors are unavailable, if you feel what I'm saying? Honourable mentions go to Au Dray (of, well, Au Dré), Xstian Dog, Colin Starr & Chyna Boy.
Our band members JamBau, Ph*l*p Ian Starr, Al*n Starr, Gary T, Johnny Bassoon, Bovril, Zak, Kinga, Nick's Piestch and myself have all spent enough time in rehearsal rooms, onstage and in vans to really develop a special connection. It's like a family Christmas every time we see each other where we inevitably get drunk and bitter old resentments come out into the open. Savage bickering can then occur but no fisticuffs...
(Editors’ note: there are a lot of (to me) unfamiliar names but do not hesitate, curious readers: Google is your friend.)
(Photograph by Nathalie Arcalin)
Zak: Was small, like tiny small. Angus saved my tiny life. I own him my tiny life. Forever. We all do. He has saved all our tiny lives. Plus the Starr Brothers are always low on cash and there are like 15 of those guys.
The crisp suits are a definite standout compared to the Centrelink-core, scuzzy look of most Melbourne bands - or indeed most outfits (haha!) in general. Any fashion inspirations?
Angus: Because I'd rather wear a pair of Stacey Adams shoes and don a purple suit onstage than look like I don't give a fuck. There is enough apathy in this world . Our biggest inspirations for styling are bands like Morris Day & The Time & Zapp, who really knew how to rock a stage get-up & kill the show. Part of why they are so entertaining is the fact that they were stimulating musically, energetically and visually. Centrelink-core has it's place... & always will. We prefer a more opulent approach, which isn't to say that some of us aren't on Centrelink ourselves...
Zak: Laura Dern. George Michael. My sister (wait this shouldn’t be bolded; ‘my sister’ are not a band, fuck). The Back cover of Heart Break by New Edition. Also the front cover.
In addition to the impressive amount of members, and the uh, impressive fashion sense, there's a very extensive list of instrumentation - you guys have two keyboardists? What made you all want to pursue this super dense sound?
(Photograph by Sarah Tansy)
Angus: I arrange very densely for this band for some reason. It comes from the influence of bands put together by Frank Zappa, Michael Jackson, Prince, Earth Wind and Fire etc... Where you kinda need more than one keyboardist to cover certain orchestration. Sometimes you need a piano part a bell part AND synth string part at the same time. This can only happen with two keyboard players unless you've employed an octopus or their penis is very flexible.
Zak: You know how trifles are really really tasty? All those layers of cake and rum and berries from the forest and uncle’s wedding ring and maybe some parsley. I really like trifles. Also have you ever eaten Nutri Grain with cream? FUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK.
I guess this ties into Question 4 - are you guys fans of Fela Kuti at all?
Angus: I love Fela, especially the song 'Gentleman'. That's my #1!
Zak: I remember the first time I heard Fela Kuti, I danced so hard I broke a table with all the spins he was making me do.
Again, with so many members, writing must be a challenge. Is it up to you usually Angus to start the tunes? Or is it sometimes Zak? Or is it someone else?
Angus: It's mostly my stuff with assorted input both musical and lyrical from different members of the band. Louis King wrote the line "He wont even eat you out". James Bowers came up with a very silly descending chromatic synth line in verse 2 of the new jack swing arrangement of How Do You Get There that really cracks me up....
Zak: Angus whistles aggressively at us and we have to replicate the tune exactly. That’s why all of our music sounds like air and spit passing past old grey lips.
Any themes you guys enjoy writin about the most? I guess it's usually a little on the lighthearted side. But I may be wrong!
Angus: You are in fact wrong! Some of the lyrics I write are fun or funny, but some are attempts to dissect rather serious things in that fashion. Other songs are actually about things like heartbreak that I have faced, but I think if you write songs that are funnier, it's hard for those two things to sit side by side without people assuming everything's lighthearted. Oh well!
What other artists are tickling your creative funnybone right now in Melbourne guys.
Angus: Sansonus, Clapton, Tanzer, Jaala, Laneous, Baul Pender of Pender St.
Zak: I like things that make me cry and Sarah Mary Chadwick is very good at making lots of different types of tears happen. I really like a hip lil band called Sadults, they’re a bunch of sad young adults. Kisstroyer at The Croxton on a Monday night.
(the band proceeded to request I add noise savant Koukatsouani to the list of bands)
Lastly! Give me yr upcoming gig/tour dates/info to find your music (i figure this is obvious)
https://www.facebook.com/sexytoastmusic/?fref=ts
Never Mind the Moog Tour
Thursday, 13th October 2016 Byron Bay, NSW – Beach Hotel
Friday, 14th October 2016 Brisbane, QLD – The Foundry
Saturday, 15th October 2016 Yamba, NSW – Surfing The Coldstream
Friday, 21st October 2016 Perth, WA – Rosemount Hotel
Saturday, 5th November 2016 Melbourne, VIC – Howler
Thursday, 10th November 2016 Canberra, ACT – The Basement
Friday, 11th November 2016 Sydney, NSW – Factory Floor
Saturday, 12th November 2016 Adelaide, SA – Ed Castle
Friday, 18th November 2016 Tocumwal, NSW – Strawberry Fields
Cheers Angus and Zak ~