Posted March 14, 2003
CAN'T RESIST: THE STEMS SPROUT AGAIN
Perth, in Western Australia, is an oppresively
hot place in the second half of the southern summer. Baking, dry heat drags
on and on, sucking the life out of anything and anyone silly enough to venture
out. Some afternoons, a cooling breeze sweeps in from the Indian Ocean. Thankful
locals have nicknamed it the Fremantle Doctor, after the port town bordering
Perth at the mouth of the Swan River from where it comes...
The Stems had similar Fremantle origins and arguably changed the climate in
Australian underground music. One of the most captivating '60s bands ever to
play in Australia during the '80s, they mixed garage-fuzz chords with classic
guitar pop melodies, all wrapped up in deceptively simple, catchy songs. The
Stems became a star signing to the powerhouse Citadel label and re-energized
an East Coast underground scene that was already eagerly exploring '60s compilations
like "Nuggets" and "Boulders".
Despite moving to major label Mushroom (where they embraced their pop side), The Stems resisted the pressure to move full-time to the East Coast for all but short forays, building a solid fanbase before collapsing under all sorts of internal pressures. Their legacy - a string of Citadel singles and an EP, plus an album on Mushroom - is considerable and inspired legions of bands. Members went on to various other projects, the most prominent being Dom Mariani's DM3 and the Someloves. The Stems retain legendary status in Europe.
Now the Stems are back, at least for an Australian tour, on the back of releases of old and enhanced material on both Citadel and Festival-Mushroom. That was enough of an excuse to drag DOM MARIANI into the Bar for some cross examination. THE BARMAN did the honours.
Q
The last Stems reunion was what, 1995 or so in Perth? And it was shortlived.
So why do it again this time and how did the decison come about?
It’s always been a matter of the right time for everyone involved. Previously,
time constraints and other commitments were holding us back from doing a national
tour. We always had it in mind that we’d do a national tour and possibly
Europe, so it’s just been a case of the right time for everyone to commit.
Q What's the line-up for this tour?
Original line-up of Dave, Richard, Julian and myself with Gary Chambers
(our first drummer) doing a few guest spots in Perth.
Q How have rehearsals been and what sort of set will people get? Does it feel
different playing those songs again? Do they feel fresh?
Rehearsal’s have been going well, we’re a lot more relaxed about
it now. Having put the hard work in a few years back. I feels a lot looser,
more room to have fun in other words.
Q Will the shows be recorded?
Haven’t thought about it really.
Q Is it just the run of dates around Australia for the retrospective releases
or are we going to see more recording and touring? I'd figure Europe would have
to be a chance, all members willing and available...
It’s really a wait and see situation. We’ll consider all things as
they present themselves. We’re looking at Europe in November.
Q
Was not going to Europe the biggest regret of the Stems days? How did you guys
get away with not spending more time living on the East Coast back then, especially
after you'd signed to Mushroom?
I didn’t realize how popular we were in Europe until I finally got
there with DM3. I recall the tour we had booked before we split being eight
weeks, a daunting prospect in winter, and with the turmoil I was going through,
I don’t have any regrets about not going.
We managed to stay based in Perth which was unheard of back then. I think
it was an advantage in many ways.
Q So many bands from the mid '80s are doing the resurrection shuffle. Is it
because of a dearth of anything much or are the mortgage slaves keen to relive
the past? What's your reaction to the "Do the Pop" and "Born
Out of Time" compilations, which both featured the Stems?
Personally I think it’s great. If you have music in the blood you can
never give it up. The opportunity to play live and record your songs, and for
other people to appreciate them is a privilege.
Q I suppose the existence of festivals like The Lost Weekend proves that there's
more thna a spark of life in the local guitar pop scene. How come you're not
on the bill and what's it like for you and the Stems to be cited as an influence
by so many of the bands appearing?
I’m little over committed at the moment, maybe next year.
Q What did you think of the Stems trib on Off the Hip?
I was very surprised when I heard about the tribute, I was very humbled by it.
Loved the version of "Under Your Mushroom" (by the Crusaders).
Q
The unreleased tracks on "Mushroom Soup" sound fantastic. Why did
they lay dormant for so long and why didn't four of them in particular come
out as a follow-up to the Citadel EP?
At the time the song writing was very prolific and moving in more classic
pop direction (I hate to use the word Power Pop now but it was cool for me then),
and I guess by the time the EP had come out we were over playing some of those
tunes and wanted to move away from the garage-fuzz sound.
Q Wasn't John going to do another live album at one stage?
Yeah, It may still happen.
Q "At First Sight" is coming out on CD again, this time with a live
album appended. What's it like and where's it from?
This is from 1986, recorded at the Old Melbourne in Perth. It was previously
released by House of Wax in ’97 as "Weed Out"
Q I've actually been given a CD-R copy of that vinyl Stems bootleg, "You
Can't Turn The Clock Back", which sounds like a desk tape from the later
days of the band. Do you know it and what do you think about it?
I’ve seen it but have never heard it, so I can’t comment.
Q
So apart from readying yourself for the Stems tour, what have you been doing
musically?
The Majestic Kelp album has been a priority over the last three years. It
will out in May on Head Records. We’ve been playing some live shows
since November and I’m really enjoying it and very happy with the album.
I’m also close to completing a solo album.
Q So is DM3 dead and buried or has the brand name just been shelved? What's
the story with the Majestic Kelp album and playing live?
DM3 lays dormant for the time being. Majestic Kelp and the solo album will
be the main focus over the next 12 months or so.
Q What's the status of the next Stoneage Hearts album? How did your entry into
the band for Danny McDonald come about?
I’m linking up with those guys while I’m in Melbourne for the Stems
shows. The idea is to record a some songs, mainly as guest on the next album.
I like the concept.
Q Good luck with the tour. Seeing we're in a Bar, what are you drinking?
Thanks Craig, think I’ll have an cold beer today.
The Stems Mushroom Soup Tour: Thursday March 27 @ Paddington Alehouse (WA).
Friday March 28 @ Dunsborough Tavern (WA). Saturday March 29 @ Raffles Hotel
(WA). Thursday April 3 @ Governor Hindmarsh Hotel (SA) Friday April 4, Saturday
April 5 @ Corner Hotel (VIC). Friday April 11, Saturday April 12 @ The Gaelic
Club, Sydney. Ticketing information here.
You can buy "Mushroom Soup"
from Citadel and there's a review
of it here. You can vist the Stems tour
web site for ongoing developments. Handbills courtesy of the "El Mariani"
yahoogroups mailing list, which you can join here.
