29 Mar 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

Siren Junkies - Sonic Newsletter Interview

30 May 2005 // An interview by Shade
1) Which NZ artist/band do you think will be a huge international success one day?
As far as bands go I have no idea. I think the Gods of music have all the band names on a dart board. When they're not busy influencing promotional, A&R and events organisers, they suck on the liquid amber and play darts. One lucky band bags it.

2) Who would you most like to tour with?
Well there's a great band, well a duo actually called 'two bucks chips' out in Papakura. They crank out the tunes with some nice flavours and i've heard they actually get people along to here them play! Truthfully, we'd play with anyone as long as they're on this planet.

3) What is your most embarrassing concert moment?
When our drummer turned up to a gig looking like a world war 2 kamikaze pilot. At first I thought he was a meandering Japanese tourist looking for his Teppenyaki fix for the night. He walked in with the biggest pair of chopsticks I'd ever seen! I was hurrying over to tell him that we didn't like punters eating sushi on the drums when I realised it was Tony, our drummer. I told him to stop drinking Sake before gigs.

4) What are you planning on doing during 2005?
Well mainly it's just playing hard and smart. We're up for anything really, as gigs go I mean. We're into having people at our gigs and having a good time and to show our appreciation, we like to give our punters a little bit of 'stick' on the night as a 'thank-you' for turning up. Sonic does have a pretty serious and vigorous management side - I mean, they have fun, but they're focused and work hard. They know what the goals are and they're kicking the balls hard. It's not as painful as it sounds.

5) How did you come up with the name Sonic?
Nikki [lead singer] and Amos [bass] were skulking around Tapu on the Thames Coast around 8.30pm looking for a fish and chip shop. We'd decided to split Auckland City for a few days and remind ourselves what it was like to breathe clean air again. It all get's a bit hazy after that. I think dreaming up band names is like trying to name a baby. You want to get it right and not look like a pillock for the rest of your life. We did figure that if too many mean people made fun of our band name, we could always change it by deed-poll.

6) What is in your CD collection at home?
I have a box for my cd's. Inside is some used chewing gum, a broken Britney Spears CD that I used for playing frisbee with my dog Phoebe, a bundle of letters from record companies that thanked us for all the nice shiny coasters we kept sending them and my favourite: Jamiroquai, Steely Dan and the best of Nana Muskuri.

7) What advice would you give other budding musicians/bands?
Stop listening to cliched advice about setting goals, keeping your head up and playing hard. I'm sick of it to be quite honest. I've checked this with all the members of Sonic and they said:

Drummer, Tony: What? Didn't hear you sorry, I had my earplugs in.
Guitarist, Gav: He was late too didn't hear the question.
Singer, Nikki: She's blonde....
Bass player, Amos: As I said, ignore the cliches. Forget what anyone else says about your music, don't take anything personally [even when it's meant that way] and put your heart and mind into reaching and grabbing whatever it is to make you feel like 'you've made it'.
 

About Siren Junkies

Siren Junkies (formerly Sonic) have supported some of New Zealand's big acts, such as Goldenhorse, Goodshirt, Anika Moa, Nathan Haines and Breaks Co-Op, and gig in the Auckland area at a variety of venues (Kings Arms, Dog's Bollix, Studio, R'totos and the Masonic to name a few).

Their first recorded music video for their debut single 'Sensible' [Independent Film Company of New Zealand, with producer Ivan Slavov] is currently getting airplay on TV2, has appeared as a Coke Fresh From the Fridge single and has had airplay on C4 as well. The video was self-funded.

Their second video for the song 'The Gift' was released on the 25th of February 2005. This was made in conjunction with the South Seas Film & TV School.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Siren Junkies

Releases

Fascinate
Year: 2008
Type: Album

Other Interviews By Shade

Pull Down The Sun Newsletter Interview
01 Dec 2022 // by Shade
Boasting an international standard of modern metal, New Zealand's Pull Down The Sun have set many an audience alight with their glorious imagery that holds true to sheer riff obedience, making motions from heavy and erratic to dark and moody, through to light and uplifting with minimal effort. We spoke to frontman Koert, and he had this to say:How did you become involved in music?
Read More...
Coridian Newsletter Interview
27 Nov 2022 // by Shade
Coridian are one of New Zealand's leading rock acts, and they have an exciting 2023 in the works. In recent months the release of singles Rakshasa (with Michael Murphy from Written by Wolves) and State of Mind have further cemented their status in NZ music.
Read More...
1 Drop Nation Newsletter Interview
19 Nov 2022 // by Shade
Otautahi six-piece 1 Drop Nation will be dropping their exciting self-titled debut album on 1 December, and it’s guaranteed to set Aotearoa music fans up for a great summer! They answered the following questions for Muzic.
Read More...
Interview: 2Fly Ty
17 Oct 2022 // by Shade
Despite currently residing in Brisbane, 2Fly Ty still identifies as a Kiwi at heart, as he looks to make a name for himself in the music scene of his homeland, Aotearoa. He answered the following questions for Muzic.
Read More...
Dead Beat Boys Newsletter Interview
29 Sep 2022 // by Shade
Auckland Rockers Dead Beat Boys fuse punk intensity with classic-rock riffs, all strung together in a show uncontainable by the stage. On the 1st of October they released their first and last album, be sure to check it out here.
Read More...
Frau Knotz Newsletter Interview
28 Sep 2022 // by Shade
The original songs of singer, pianist, producer and composer Lauren Nottingham have touched down on Earth under the moniker Frau Knotz. With avant-pop tracks which simulate echoes of an extra-terrestrial yet power-packed video game soundtrack, Frau Knotz toggles between whimsical fantasies and dark truths, switches propulsive rhythms and expansive balladry and tunes glamor with gameplay to concoct elixirs of dance.
Read More...
Forty Bucks Till Tuesday Newsletter Interview
28 Sep 2022 // by Shade
Forty Bucks Till Tuesday is an openly trans-genre metal band from the distinguished suburbs of south and west Auckland. Currently on the hunt for a new vocalist to complement their existing sound, Muzic.
Read More...
The Snake Behaviour Newsletter Interview
03 Sep 2022 // by Shade
Showing no signs of slowing down, Christchurch Rockers The Snake Behaviour are heading into their 20th year of creating hard-hitting music and delivering incredible live performances. They recently shared all their future plans and a whole lot more with Muzic.
Read More...
View All Articles By Shade

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS (WAIT FOR YOUR LOVE)
    Ariana Grande
  • BEAUTIFUL THINGS
    Benson Boone
  • END OF BEGINNING
    Djo
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • TEXAS HOLD 'EM
    Beyonce
  • STICK SEASON
    Noah Kahan
  • PRAISE JAH IN THE MOONLIGHT
    YG Marley
  • CARNIVAL
    Kanye West And Ty Dolla $ign
  • SATURN
    SZA
  • LOVIN ON ME
    Jack Harlow
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem