gyroscope. interview november 2001

You have been back playing shows for a few months now, how did it feel to get Rob back from Canada?
Dan - The feeling was fantastic as you could imagine. From going from playing shows week in and week out for a couple of years, to absolutely nothing really makes you feel kind of hopeless. But yeah, upon his return we all found a whole new sense of focus. I suppose over 8 months in our times of life, it can feel like a really really long time, and during that we had all gone through completely different scenarios be it through personal stuff, work, listening habits etc etc. The break was the best thing the band's been through as it enlightened us all tenfold as when we did get back into it, we felt like a new band and took that kind of mentality to everything.

You guys have played a number of supports lately how have they gone?
Dan - The best part about supports is meeting, talking and just hanging out with the band you're in support for. Let's say a band has never been to Perth, or even heard much of the scene so when they do arrive here, find a really healthy following, and eager crew, it makes for a much better time for them and the scene in general. Thanks to some of our promotors, and of course you guys @ 86music, a lot of bands that wouldnt usually get the chance to tour WA, are now branching out and realising the music and people over here actually does have a lot to offer. I dunno, I like to think that the rock/punk scene we have here although is relatively small, is a really friendly and encouraging one.
Rob - Like Dan said the supports really have been terrific. Often the bands we have supported are bands we enjoy personally and to finally share the stage, and a beer with them has been a real bonus. I think the reason we enjoyed the Jebs tour and ODS shows so much is because the band members themselves were all so cool. Playing supports also provides us with an opportunity to play to people who may have not seen us before, for instance playing a show with Magic Dirt and Lash, hopefully playing that kind of show can convert a few more people into gyro fans, or even getting them involved with the local music scene.

Has there been a support that you enjoyed/stand out more than the others?
Rob - The Jebediah Mini tour was fantastic, we got on really well with the Jebs played some great shows and in general partied as hard as we knew how too. The Blueline Medic show at the Rosemount was unbelievable too. The place was packed and the BLM guys played an amazing show! They really know how to create an atmosphere and I dont think anyone who was there couldn't sense that something special was happening.
Dan - The recent down south stint we had with Jebediah was undoubtedly the most fun support. Many a funny night, many a brewskie drank, many an endo smoked and fuck we played a whole heap of hacky sack in Esperance. But in saying that, every support we get is a gift really and to me each stands out on their own merits. For example, to play with Sommerset (NZ) who I hadnt heard much of, and by the end I was singing along to (plus being our return shows) was a real treat. Then bands like Blueline Medic who we all really enjoy, to play with them is a huge bonus. Most recently, One Dollar Short, who I think are one of the more professional and enthused stage acts around.. and the guys were the nicest!.. yeah it's just good fun.

Zok was playing with The Critics while Rob was away, what were Brad and yourself doing to keep busy?
Dan - I fished a whole lot. Actually I fished fucking heaps. I've kinda slowed down a bit now, but shit I was out there dodging lightening 3-4 times a week with Matthias fishing away. While Rob was away, Brad and I were I suppose into work a fair bit, supporting Zok & the Critics, and we were living with our mate Byron at the time so we were just having fun.

So since you were fishing a great deal what was your biggest catch??
Dan - Hard to say really.. I caught a lot of great sized bream but also some huge cobbler, flathead and some crazy tailor. I think this one freak bream I caught would have been the best though. He put up a great fight the little blighter.

Whats been your favourite show since Rob's return that you've played?
Rob - I enjoyed the Guttermouth show at the Lookout! simply cause the drums sounded so huge but I think my favourite show back would probably be a gig we played at the Grosvenor a few months ago with Times Up, the Critics and GC 161. For what ever reason I think we were all in the groove that night, we played with heaps of energy and we all really enjoyed ourselves. Our Fist show back with Sommerset was really special too, looking up and seeing 3 of my best friends rocking out again was a really great felling especially after 8 months.
Dan - My personal fave was the Esperance show with the Jebs. I'm not sure why.. although come to think of it we had a shitter the night before in Kalgoorlie so I think just the refreshing factor and the whole "wipe the slate clean guys" feel to it made it good for me. We seem to feel really comfortable and have fun at the Rosemount lately too, as the shows are usually with friends so it makes for a great atmosphere.

Are we going to see the 'Means To An End' single/4 track released or have you plans changed?
Dan - Yeah I dont think we'll properly release that. Maybe we'll end up putting it on the website (www.gyroscope.iinet.net.au) for people to download, but our aim is to record new stuff at the moment.

A number of your newer tracks have a more rock based influence, is this where gyroscope. is heading or is it more to do with experimenting new sounds?
Dan - Truthfully, the newer stuff sounds more like us than anything ever did. When we first started we played an upbeat rock style and then the whole punk thing came through and I suppose if you're kind of fast, you get branded with that. We all really enjoy punk, be it old or new styles, hardedged or whatever, but yeah we feel more comfortable than ever playing the music we are playing now. To some it's still punk, to some it's rock, to some it's emo, but whatever you call it.. we enjoy playing it. I think the 8 month hiatus kind of opened our eyes and made us think, "fuck it, let's just play what we really enjoy". I know just before the break, none of the songs we had written had really had our heartfelt stamp of approval. They were more like just songs. This time around, we'll write what we think fits a mood, the lyrics are better, and I think I can actually sing now too so that's always a bonus. Andy Critics was actually my mentor during the break as I really tried to discover my voice. Thanks Andy.. you're the shiat.
Rob - I am happier now than ever before with our sound and direction, Im really proud of the kind of songs we are writing and it just feels like we can write whatever we feel like. The only elements I think we try and incorporate each time are passion and energy and so far it feels like its really working.

How many new songs do you actually have at the moment?
Rob - We currently have four newies, Hopefully we can get a few more out before the end of the year but its been pretty busy with gigs latley, we tend to be very tough on ourselves with new songs too...so when a new song finally does see light of day you can be sure a lot of Blood, Sweat and Tears (No I'm Serious) has gone into it.

What bands would you say gyroscope. are influenced by now?
Rob - Personally Ive been listening to an awful lot of Jets to Brazil lately, Thursday have been exiting me, Fairweather, Weezer, Rocket from the Crypt as always, Blueline Medic. I really enjoy the Dashboard Confessional stuff too. Whether it comes out as an influence in our music im not sure but they are all great bands.
Dan - Mate, I've been listening to stuff from the Promise Ring, to Jawbreaker, to the Police, to Raised Fist, to the Split Enz, to Moneen, to Bad Religion. It's hard to say what comes out. People have said they can hear influences from the Cure, At the Drive-In, Ammonia, Alkaline Trio.. and some other crazy band that Matt said something sounded like.. Lyrically I'm bigtime inspired by Alkaline Trio's stuff. Older stuff more so that the newer. It has a morbid and dark feel, and usually all about drinking, smoking and drowning girls. Magic.

What would you say about the state of the Perth punk scene and music scene at the current time?
Rob - I think there is more unity within the Perth Punk scene now than I have ever seen before. To me it really feels like a scene, you know! All the bands support each other, check out each other's shows, people who come to the shows get to know the faces behind the bands and what it has created is an almost team like approach to making sure new bands come through and more experienced bands continue to grow. Bands like the Critics, Times Up, My Design and GC 161 all continue to write great songs and i think the next year will be very positive.

What's in the pipeline for gyroscope. over the next few months going into next year?
Dan - To focus more on writing some newer stuff, getting some merch done, but mainly to record something around December.. We are really all pushing towards that at the moment.

So if recorded in December how many tracks are likely to appear on this disc??
Dan - Right now i'd pencil in about 5(?) There's a lot of other factors we have to consider before we record this time. It'll be a whole different approach, so yeah we are firstly laying them down on 8-track in a couple of weeks for pre-production and then we'll be a bit more tuned into what we are after.

Any plans to tour/move over east?
Rob - Touring over east is a definite goal and dream of all of us in the band, we realise the importance of touring over there but we want to be able to do it hopefully with a bigger band who can provide us with some sort of crowd to play too. We really want to tour our next recording so if all goes to plan gyro will be rocking the east coast!

Anything else you guys wanna add before I finish up things?
Dan - Just cheers for the q's, and cheers to everyone who has come out and supported us in any way shape or form since we've been back playing shows.. it's been a dream.. peace..

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