The John Steel Singers

Brisbane’s The John Steel Singers have just unleashed their second album, Everything’s A Thread – a record that embraces both their growth and the giddying joy of becoming an entirely new band. To celebrate the release, we caught up with the band’s Pete Bernoth for a chat.

How did you get your start in the music industry? 

One does not simply start in the music industry, you must take bended knee before the gods and fill out the paperwork. My application is still pending as far as I know.

Best part of what you do?

I get to play music with some talented mother-fuckers and have met some of the greatest humans known to mankind… and one 350kg pig.

And the worst part?

You get used to be constantly travelling and living your life in limbo. Occasionally real life calls and it’s generally damaging to my psyche.

Any interesting experiences you can share?

Plenty, we met a 350kg pet pig called Margie once. We also met a toothless old dude in Coffs Harbour who gave us advice about playing music. His basic message was, “It’s a fuckin’ hard industry! Fuckin’ Hard,” that was his only message actually. Over and over.

Favourite album of all time and why?

Gah! It changes all the time. At the moment it’s probably Talk Talk – The Colour of Spring. Previous title holders of My Favourite Album of All Time have been Pharcyde – Labcabincalifornia, Holger Czukay – Movies, Wipers – Youth of America and Peter Coombe – Toffee Apple.

Best live performance that you’ve ever seen?

Gah! I can’t remember. Maybe LCD Soundsystem that time they played Splendour in the Grass, or The Polyphonic Spree at the Brisbane Powerhouse for the pure love in that room. Not the sexy kind, just the “ahh, well this nice” kind. Which if happens while having sexy love is a little disappointing.

Favourite bars/clubs/pubs to hang out in?

Rumpus Room because it’s 100 metres away from my house. The Townie in Newtown cause it’s 100 metres away from a friend’s house.

Take us through a typical day in the life of The John Steel Singers

7.04 am – wake up.
7.05 am – watch cat videos on youtube
3.10 pm – toilet break
3.20 pm – watch cat videos on youtube
6.24 pm – eat takeaway Indian while catching up on all the latest vines
10.95 pm – go to sleep

Catch The John Steel Singers live at the Beach Road Hotel (free show) on 13 November and Oxford Art Factory on 16 November (2013).

© Danny Canak

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