Are you guys ready?
Xeno: We're all sweet.
What the heck, let's do it.
I'll start with the usual question to an unsigned band. How did it all start?
Jimmy: Ray and I kinda had a band going on with some friends, but after a few practises we realised we weren't doing anything. So, seeing as we were most committed we thought we would try and start something new (laughs). My girlfriend goes to Ben (McConnel)'s school, so she told me about him and how he was a crazy drummer, and Ray knew Alec through friends. We ended up just creating a group inbox with those to guys and this other dude, Alec and Ben were keen on the idea. So that was that, then Ray met Benn Xeno at Warrandyte river, when he overheard Ray talking about starting a band and needing a second guitarist (laughs).
Anyone else have anything to add?
Xeno: Nah, Jimmy pretty much covered that (laughs)
What was it like leading up to your first show, what were the initial practices like, did you have any material recorded beforehand?
Xeno: It wasn't really one of those fairy tail stories, it all kinda just fell together.
Jimmy: We were recording relentless the weekend after our first gig.
Xeno: We recorded a starting demo just to get our songs worked out and established. Leading up to our first gig I am happy with how we conducted ourselves! I pride myself on being prepared before anything we do, so we all made sure we had everything worked out. Yeah, the songs have changed since our first gig, but at the time we were all comfortable with what we had and where we were with being tight and together.
Our practices were always conducted well, we got in and did what we had to do. Because we live so far away from each other we don't get much time together, so we make sure practices were never wasted.
Seeing as Warrandyte Battle of the Bands was your first show, was there any pressure on the band, seeing as you guys are bit younger than some of the other bands that played.
Xeno: We had a lot of support from our mates, that being that Warrandyte is basically our hometown and a lot of our mates were there. Jimmy will add something here too !
Jimmy: Yep, Wazza D was our first show. I remember being at Ben's house a few hours before, just getting in a few hours of practice. During one of the songs he forgot one of the drum parts, made me fair nervous (laughs). After that it was followed by me forgetting one of my parts on the same song at the actual show (laughs). Most of the bands at the show were around the same ages as us, a couple older, so there was no real pressure about that. I was more nervous about being one of the only heavy bands at the show. But 50% of the people there were our closest mates, and I honestly think our first show couldn't have gone any better!
What was the journey like between playing your very first show and then opening up for House VS Hurricane?
Xeno: We had a lot of practice, we made sure we practiced every weekend for a good 4-5 months
As I said previously we like to be prepared, so once we found out we scored the House show, we did everything we could to further refine our set. We knew the expectations that had to be filled, and at the end of the day that's all it comes down to putting the hard hours in. House is still to date my favourite show, we made sure that we were prepared. I know we need to put so many more hours in to achieve where we want to be, but what we have achieved so far is all based on how much practice we have put in
So your motto is that hard work can get you anywhere if you put your mind to it?
Jimmy: I think bands don't do it enough these days, making a Facebook page with cool logos doesn't mean you're a band, you need to give it everything you have. We've worked so hard to be where we are now, and its only the beginning,
Jimmy: That is truth right there, I think a lot of people really wouldn't understand behind the scenes in being a band
People think they can get on the show and if they win they will have success, without learning how to reach that point by working their way up.
Jimmy: Yeah, I mean for local bands like us to maintain our gear, playing gigs, touring and recording, its a hell of a lot. You need to be dedicated or there's no point in doing what your doing.
I mean AC/DC even said it 40 odd years ago, it's a long way to the top if you wanna rock n'roll.
Jimmy: Yeah.
How has recording your EP/demo gone. When are you looking to release it. Is there any shows planned to promote it?
Jimmy: We went back to Parallel to record the demo, its always so much fun working with Stevie and Aaron, there amazing at what they do. If everything goes to plan, it will be out next week! No confirmed date. And no shows as of the moment.
when playing the show House, While She Sleeps, Heights and Breaking Tradition, did you get to know any of the other band members. What was the experience like?
Jimmy: We've been buds with Breaking Tradition for awhile now, there sick dudes. But as far as the touring bands, I was in a way let down, I guess some of the guys who I personally looked up to weren't what I thought they were like. That was just my opinion of it anyway
Xeno: We respect that bands like Northlane and While She Sleeps acknowledged us and gave us a shout out on stage. They were all lovely guys, they were also pretty tired and worn out so we respect that also (laughs) Touring non-stop would take it out of you !
I guess it would be hard for bigger bands to get to know the supporting band.
Jimmy: Adrian is a real sweetie (no homo)
Who do you credit as far as influences and inspiration for your music go?
Jimmy: I guess we get influence of the other local bands around us, and just seeing them play this crazy kind of music and loving it.
So mainly local acts then? Any influence from the bigger acts like Parkway Drive etc?
Xeno: I'm self taught on guitar, and the only reason i know how to play guitar is because I made my fingers bleed every night trying to learn parkway drive songs haha, so parkway is my main influence !
Jimmy: Yeah pretty much, there cool dudes. I think every Australian band would have some sort of influence from Parkway! But Xeno is a huge Parkway fan, there has been song ideas from him that are nameless and we just refer to them as "The Parkway Song" because the riffs he writes are so alike (laughs)
Any bands outside the hardcore/metalcore scene that people wouldn't expect to have an influence on you?
Xeno: Me personally, I am influenced by bands like Bloc Party and Circa Survive and the way I write some of my melodies and harmonies are certainly influenced by those bands (laughs)
I'd like to welcome Alec (bass) to the conversation. Hey, could you tell us a bit about the plans for the band in the future, your involvement and the songwriting process?
Alec: Well, the plans for the future for me is just to keep expanding my skills and playing shows. In regards to the band i just want to keep working and playing shows to watch it grow.
The band itself is unique in a way because we all have our different personalities and music preferences, we all love hardcore but we all have different favourite bands and certain aspects that we love about the music.
I got involved through Facebook actually, the vocalist was asking who played bass and I decided to join!
The song writing process is fairly straightforward, one of our guitarists will produce a sweet riff or song and then the rest of the band places their input until it eventually becomes a song !
I heard you guys got through to the next round at the Espy Battle of the Bands, what was that experience like?
Xeno: Getting through to the next round of the Espy has probably been one of our greatest achievements, solely because of how prestigious the Espy is. We played along side amazing bands and we made some good friends.
We were all so excited to play the gig! It means the world to us that the espy are keen to have us back for the semi final!
That's awesome guys.
Ben, let's talk more about your experience as the drummer in this band.
Ben: This band has been an amazing experience for me, not just music wise. I've met some of the best people ever and I have learnt so much. I have improved a lot with my drumming, far exceeding the expectations I had with these guys. At first I received a Facebook message from some of the band saying they wanted to start something and i was interested, it was really random at the time but i had been in many bands before this that didn't do anything and weren't committed. So it started from there and just progressed heaps, I was really excited and still am for what's to come in the future!
Any funny stories from practice or gigs?
Xeno: uhhm. The time we were playing at a mates party and a florescent light fell on my head! (laughs).
When Alec was walking around the sunburn showing, with his singlet on backwards and he didn't even realise (laughs)! When I played the last breakdown in a pit and I accidentally whacked someone in the head with the head of my guitar.
The last one there made my night, thanks guys.
Xeno: Was epic (laughs)
Ben: When Alec brought a bloody George Foreman to the studio and made a grilled cheese, and we all went to KFC (laughs all round)
Very nice, (laughs)
Do you guys ever do anything else like band movie nights to catch up when not practicing?
Xeno: It's hard for us all to get together, because I live so far away from most of the band, but we arent really band mates, we are all really good friends who play in a band together, so we always hang out and chill
Xeno: Yeah I'm happy with what we have.
We'll try to catch up with your singer Ray in the future, until then have a good one. Best of luck in the future.
Xeno: Thanks.
Download The Lost League's debut EP/demo at http://fb.com/thelostleague
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