Music / Features
Let’s Not (And Say We Did) -
A chat with Zeahorse
A chat with Zeahorse
Sydney noise-rockers Zeahorse released their third full length record earlier this year, their first through record label Copper Feast. Let’s Not (And Say We Did) is a sordid affair with big baritone guitar riffs and visceral, incisive social commentary. Fans of anything that came out the 80’s post-hardcore era, or even some of the more accessible moments from Tropical Fuck Storm or The Drones, will dig the cacophony of Zeahorse.
We got in touch with lead singer, Morgan Anthony, to walk us through the latest record.
We got in touch with lead singer, Morgan Anthony, to walk us through the latest record.
TJ: Hey Zeahorse! Can you tell us a little bit about yourselves for the uninitiated?
Z: We’re a four piece noise-rock group that formed in Lismore, but we probably listen to more techno and hip hop than rock music.
It’s been five years since the last record which can be a big hurdle for some bands, but it feels like you’ve just picked right up from where you left off. You’ve even managed to keep your original line-up! What’s been happening in between releases?
Yea it’s been a long while but records seem to take ages for us to get done and out. Having members scattered all around the country tends to make the writing/recording process a little difficult, chuck COVID-19 in there and that’s pretty much the last five years! Oh and one of us is a dad now!
Your records always have a pretty distinct sound, harkening back to the Steve Albini post-hardcore era. Is this something you’re conscious about achieving? What does the production process look like for the band?
Thanks! Yea we’ve always sighted Albini as quite a solid influence for our production process, not only the way the records sound but the whole way he goes about being an engineer and a musician, he’s got a real organic no bull approach which we try and emulate. With our process it changes with every record. With this new record we had a more textured and layered approach, some serious guitar overdubbing was had, coupled with some very late and boozy nights. The overall approach was to make it a bit more chaotic than the last record.
There’s a big sense of catharsis in your music, an assault against the norms of society that keep us trapped and miserable. Do all four of you play a part in writing and directing the band’s vibe?
Pretty well nailed that one. Na, I (Morgan) take responsibility for the scathing anti-everything persona. It’s a pretty solid theme throughout our records, each are just snippets from various viewpoints throughout my life, mostly through the same salt covered lens.
Z: We’re a four piece noise-rock group that formed in Lismore, but we probably listen to more techno and hip hop than rock music.
It’s been five years since the last record which can be a big hurdle for some bands, but it feels like you’ve just picked right up from where you left off. You’ve even managed to keep your original line-up! What’s been happening in between releases?
Yea it’s been a long while but records seem to take ages for us to get done and out. Having members scattered all around the country tends to make the writing/recording process a little difficult, chuck COVID-19 in there and that’s pretty much the last five years! Oh and one of us is a dad now!
Your records always have a pretty distinct sound, harkening back to the Steve Albini post-hardcore era. Is this something you’re conscious about achieving? What does the production process look like for the band?
Thanks! Yea we’ve always sighted Albini as quite a solid influence for our production process, not only the way the records sound but the whole way he goes about being an engineer and a musician, he’s got a real organic no bull approach which we try and emulate. With our process it changes with every record. With this new record we had a more textured and layered approach, some serious guitar overdubbing was had, coupled with some very late and boozy nights. The overall approach was to make it a bit more chaotic than the last record.
There’s a big sense of catharsis in your music, an assault against the norms of society that keep us trapped and miserable. Do all four of you play a part in writing and directing the band’s vibe?
Pretty well nailed that one. Na, I (Morgan) take responsibility for the scathing anti-everything persona. It’s a pretty solid theme throughout our records, each are just snippets from various viewpoints throughout my life, mostly through the same salt covered lens.
It seems like Sydney has a lot of love for you guys, what’s the scene like for noisey guitar stuff over there? Are there other local or inter-state bands you love? Do you feel more like the odd ones out?
Yea we have a very loyal crew up here, shout out to all y’all cause without them we’d be nothing. There’s a lot of great music coming out of Sydney right now, Repo Man, Shady Nasty, Mope City, Eternal dust, most of those have had new releases in 2021. And yea we definitely feel like the odd ones out, always have but that’s a good place to be if you ask me.
Let’s Not (And Say We Did) is your first release where you’ve handed the reins over to Copper Feast Records. What’s it been like having label support instead of have to do it all independently?
It’s been really great, Callum who runs Copper Feast is an absolute weapon and runs a really great label with heaps of other great acts. The older we get the lazier we become so we’ve been really lucky to have met him, we feel like we’ve found a label for good which makes us feel at ease knowing we don’t have to do everything anymore!
With three full-length releases under your belt now it still sounds like you’re full of life. Or maybe more accurately, youthful disaffection. What’s next for you guys?
Haha, we definitely feel seasoned! We’d love to be able to play some shows but at the moment we’re in a bit of a break period. We did have some sold out shows in Sydney that we had to postpone so we’re just getting healthy so we can re-sort some dates for all the legends who bought tix.
Any plans to come to Melbourne?
I really hope that we’ll be able to play in Melbourne in the near future, can’t promise anything just yet tho unfortunately.
Yea we have a very loyal crew up here, shout out to all y’all cause without them we’d be nothing. There’s a lot of great music coming out of Sydney right now, Repo Man, Shady Nasty, Mope City, Eternal dust, most of those have had new releases in 2021. And yea we definitely feel like the odd ones out, always have but that’s a good place to be if you ask me.
Let’s Not (And Say We Did) is your first release where you’ve handed the reins over to Copper Feast Records. What’s it been like having label support instead of have to do it all independently?
It’s been really great, Callum who runs Copper Feast is an absolute weapon and runs a really great label with heaps of other great acts. The older we get the lazier we become so we’ve been really lucky to have met him, we feel like we’ve found a label for good which makes us feel at ease knowing we don’t have to do everything anymore!
With three full-length releases under your belt now it still sounds like you’re full of life. Or maybe more accurately, youthful disaffection. What’s next for you guys?
Haha, we definitely feel seasoned! We’d love to be able to play some shows but at the moment we’re in a bit of a break period. We did have some sold out shows in Sydney that we had to postpone so we’re just getting healthy so we can re-sort some dates for all the legends who bought tix.
Any plans to come to Melbourne?
I really hope that we’ll be able to play in Melbourne in the near future, can’t promise anything just yet tho unfortunately.
Let’s Not (And Say We Did) is out now through Copper Feast Records - head to zeahorse.bandcamp.com to purchase the limited edition coloured vinyl.
