Article based on interview with Doug Falconer discussing the H&C live performance, Melbourne music scene, Mark’s lyrics and role in the band and H&C’s approach to making music.

Author: The Entertainer.

Date: December 1986.

Original URL: N/A

Article Text

“We’re the best live band we’ve ever seen,” Hunters & Collectors drummer Doug Falconer says without a hint of modesty.

“I’m not saying we’re the best players, but as a unit we work together and it works 99 per cent of the time. Very few people who see us miss the point.”

The soulful, post-punk Australian band brought their six-man industrial show to R.P.M. Nov. 18 in support of new LP Human Frailty — a big-sounding, lyrically poignant collection that should soon go platinum in Australia.

“We built up such a strong following that commercial radio wasn’t able to ignore us,” Falconer says about the band’s accessibility.

“In Australia, on Friday night it’s not a matter of what you’re going to do, but what band you’re going to see. In Melbourne the scene is vibrant, there’s thousands of bands. The drinking ethic revolves around pubs and that’s where you learn. But although people are keen to see bands, they’re quick to give you the rocket if you don’t deliver the goods. You have to develop a style.”

Part of the band’s style lies in Mark Seymour’s convincing vocals and lyrics.

“Mark’s the valve from which the band is introduced to the audience,” Falconer continues.

“The lyrics used to be so obscure they were ridiculous, but now they’re more personal and on an evocative level. We work hard at making the music match the lyrics. There has to be an element of mystery to rock & roll. We’re playing the music that we like and we make it sound as big as possible. We need to know how to directly communicate to people.”

Comments

Thankyou to Tim for typing out this article.