Words With: Vanlustbäder

Shane, lead singer with Aussie newcomers Vanlustbäder, makes a good effort in explaining to gigwise where the band’s name came from.  “It was from the butcher’s round the corner from us. I guess it was their surname or something. It’s good though isn’t it? We’ve got the Van name rock tradition thing going. Van Morrison, Van Der Graaf Generator. We’re carrying on using the Van”.

Talk of tradition suggests that the Brisbane foursome has some influences to lean on. Not so, it turns out. “There’s enough stuff in the press about influences, I’m just gonna leave that question”. Er, ok, must remember not to ask that one again. Shane does give hints though after some gentle persuasion. “We aimed to be Run DMC meets AC/DC but ended up somewhere else”. That somewhere else includes current single 'Here We Go Again' which came out on October 31. It unites an ear for a good hook with hints of the darker rock sound in their album material. For those looking for a bigger fix, the ten-track LP, 'The People vs. Vanlustbäder' has been recorded and will hit record stores in early 2006. It combines a hard-edged attitude but defiantly nods towards a rockier, fuller sound than the post-punk blueprint of most new British bands.

Shane is joined in the band by Terry (guitar/vocals), Paul (bass) and John (drums). The band “just kinda knew each other” and after Shane and Terry started playing together decided they wanted to do this rock thing properly. Vanlustbäder are nearing the end of an eight date tour around Britain and are already mates with Hull's finest The Paddingtons -  “complete ****ing lunatics” according to Shane, the tour went well enough to leave the band feeling “tip-top”.

“It was great to play places we’ve read about like the Marquee and the 100 Club”, he explains, “especially for knobheads like us from Brisbane. Even going to places like Bedford. I’m even looking forward to Walsall. They‘ve got really good promoters”. The tour has also provided the obligatory weird experiences. “We were supported by this band who had this guy on a crutch. We met him in the street and he hobbled up to the venue we were playing out. When we got there and his band went on, he stood there, hurled his crutch into the crowd and went mental”. Life must be rosy indeed, how did the band get on with the punters? “The British crowds don’t take every band to heart straight away, they stand, look at me and say ‘show me some balls’”.