DZ Deathrats
Vocals/Guitar: Shane Parsons
Drums: Simon Ridley
I recently caught up with Simon from DZ Deathrays to find out our chances of seeing ‘The Mess Up’ V.2, how it was making it into the Hottest 100 and more!
So guys, your latest release ‘Black Rat’ seems to have been well received in both Australia and the rest of the world. Was that something you expected or were you a bit taken aback by the reception?
We usually set the bar pretty low as far as expectations go so we weren’t expecting it to get the reaction it did. Second albums can easily be the end for a band so it was really encouraging to gain so many new fans and retain a lot of the people who like our earlier work.
DZ Deathrays are currently on the road with Bass Drum Of Death and Hockey Dad. How does it feel to look back and think that you used to open for bands of their size, now you have them travelling the country to warm crowds up for you?
It’s great to be popular enough to have the opportunity to pick which bands you want to come on tour with you. This tour has been a long time in the making as Bdod let us open for them in the States a few years back so we’ve always wanted to return the favor. Having hockey dad was the icing on the cake.
Speaking of the Get Rich Or Drunk Tryin’ tour, you’ve had over 50% of shows sell out on pre-sale alone. I can only imagine that all shows have been nothing but good times, but has their been a favourite show of tour so far?
All of the shows were great even the ones where we had gear die on stage which are usually the shows nightmares are made of. Although I think most of the highlights actually came from the after parties. Lot of late night hazy karaoke sessions.
You guys are a part of the I Oh You Records roster, alongside some well known acts such as Violent Soho, Snakadaktal, DMA’s and more. How’s it been working with IOY so far?
We’ve been friends with Johann since before I think he had put out his first ep under IOHYOU. I couldn’t imagine going to a different label, he’s one of the smartest, most driven guys I know and I think he’s only just beginning. I hope when he moves into his first mansion he let’s me sleep in his pool house.
DZ Deathrays are rather notorious for partying & getting up to no good. Any funny stories you can share with us?
Sorry, I feel like you have to be there for most of them…
If you had to choose 4 bands to go on tour with, who would it be? Keep in mind, mixed bills are okay and we won’t judge if you want to tour with Marcia Hines.
I don’t think Marcia parties. At least not anymore. The problem with touring with those big famous bands/acts you’ve always wanted to is that they’re all old and tired now and just want comfortable hotel rooms to sit in after a show.
We’ve all been talking bout putting together a violent soho, dune rats, dz tour for a few years now. The other 2 bands to pick for that would probably be Palms and maybe Blood Red Shoes. It would be insane. But who knows there are so many friends bands I want to go on tour with again.
Your hit song ‘Gina Works At Hearts’ came in at #88 on Triple J’s Hottest 100, what was it like to have a song finally make it, quite comfortably, into the 100?
Pretty surreal. I still think it’s kinda crazy people actually like our band.
How soon can we expect new music from the DZ camp?
Hopefully we’ll have a new album out next year with a new single before this Christmas….. Hopefully.
Any tips for young & aspiring bands out there?
Play as many shows as you can, write as much as you can. Don’t be a dick.
Any chance of ‘The Mess Up’ v.2 video?
None. It’s been done.
A few for the fans:
Pub or club? Both
Apples or bananas? Bananas
Solo or singalong? Singalong
All Ages or 18+? All ages provided the bars still open
Festival or tour? Festival tour
Thanks!