Nice 'Dreem' to have more records on the way!

Bad Dreems are an Adelaide band I've always admired and to top it off they're also really great people. I've had the honour of knowing 'em for a few years and even playing football and cricket with 'em! Bad Dreems just play exciting indie-guitar rock and they've stuck to their guns! Not gone down a major mainstream route to just please radio or taste-makers - These industry types go to them! I was hanging outside the Farmers Union Ice Coffee factory the other day putting in my application for the National Pharmacies Xmas Pageant and ran into my ol mate Alex from Bad Dreems! Bowled some questions at him! Enjoy! 

1.      When you first started Bad Dreems did you ever expect to release five albums? Was that the intention from the beginning? If it was, what wisdom would you impart on to a young band that is having big ‘dreems’ of emulating the same type of creative surges!

We had few expectations when the band started, aside from making music together and doing what we could to get that music heard. If someone had told us that we would release five albums, as well as do the other things we have, we would not have believed them.

I would tell a young band that they should by all means follow their dream. But I would also tell them that the music industry can be a disorienting and sometimes cruel place.So it is important to remember the reasons why they first picked up their instrument or wrote a song, and do their best to honour this, no matter what comes along. Certainly I'd tell them to make sure they have a day job!.

2.      Bad Dreems, for me sound like driving through the Australian suburbs, whilst chugging on a VB smashin’ a Vegemite sandwich! You have really captured a unique, Australian sound that has resonated throughout Australia and now beyond! What has influenced the band to process this? Does everyone have a diverse palette in music or are you all pretty much on the same page..

 We try to make music that is authentic to our own lives and surroundings. We've always found the idiosyncrasies of Australian culture to be interesting and have been drawn to writing about these. It was never really a conscious decision, except to try to present ourselves as we actually are, which is a bunch of lads that grew up in an around Adelaide and met at an amateur football club. We all listen to a diverse range of music, but at the same time have a sense of what musical elements will work in the Bad//Dreems milieu.

 

 

 

3.      I like how Bad Dreems are such an easily, approachable bunch. Since I’ve known you, my interactions with all band members has always been positive. Tell us how you maintain this level of integrity in the Australian music scene?

 That is a very good thing to hear. Thank you for saying. We value being part of the music community and don't really see ourselves as any different from other musicians, tech crew, venue staff or fans. Most people at our level are driven by their passion for music and the pleasure they get from being involved. We are just lucky to have had the opportunities to be on the stage. If we weren't we would be in the audience, or putting on shows/releasing records. We are very grateful to all of those who work with us, or alongside us, who are often poorly paid (if they are paid at all) and unheralded.

 

4.      Tell us about a show you have performed and why this one stands out from the rest..

 For me, supporting Midnight Oil at the Brixton Academy in London is one that stands out. They are a band who we've taken a lot of inspiration from at a storied venue, where many of our other musical heroes have performed. The way Midnight Oil performed as well as the way they hosted us left a lasting impression.

 

 

5.      The million dollar question – What does the next ten years hold for Bad Dreems, what do you really want to do, we all know you are such a well-travelled band, released 5 records and performed in front of thousands of people that just adore your songs and live show – What is next, what would top that? 

 

 I still feel we are yet to make our defining album, although I've liked everything we have released. So hopefully that can happen. Other than that it is about staying true to the reasons why we started Bad//Dreems: to create songs that we are proud of and share them with people.