The Loonee Tunes story started in Melbourne in the early 80s and continues to this day. With a vibrant history, one that helped shaped the Australian Ska scene, the band are just as energetic as they were over 20 years ago with a live show that blows their fans and younger counterparts away every time. As part of our Ska Weekender interview series we spoke to the collective about the bands history, residing in Australia’s cultural hub, and the variety in places that the bands takes their influences from. We also discussed their style and how they are sure thing for the Ska Weekender “Best Dressed” title. Check out the full interview here.
To top it all off we are also streaming the bands track “Only You” which you can listen to here.
For all your 2011 Ska Weekender information head here and tell us you’ll be better dressed than Loonee Tunes at the Ska Wekeender Facebook Event here.
[Audio: 01-Only-You.mp3|titles=Only You|artists=Loonee Tunes]
Can you give our readers a bit of the back story behind Hightime
Tell us a little bit about the Loonee Tunes story.
Loonee Tunes formed in 1982. The first gig was at the Aberdeen Hotel in North Fitzroy. We had a one hour slot and being nervous we sped through the set in 1/2 hour. We came off to a rousing reception only to be told to go back on stage and play the entire set again!! We were 17 – 18 year olds playing in front of rude boys and girls in a pub….this meant that to us, we had already made it!
After an apprenticeship at Macy’s we amassed a large following of people…some of whom still attend our gigs today.
We have had a strange history of support spots over the years and have played with Rick Wakeman, Australian Crawl, Mental As Anything, Eurogliders, Corpse Grinders and, most recently, Bad Manners.
Loonee Tunes has a long history of which the British Soul sound is a large part of. Can you tell us a little bit about the difference between the English and Australian ska scenes and how they have changed over the years?
Our songs are influenced by life, love and laughter and our music is influenced by Ska, Northern Soul and British bands such as The Style Council, Dexys Midnight Runners and Blur.
The early Australian scene was not as widespread or openly aggressive as the English 1979 2 Tone scene but it certainly had its moments! As is usual with Australia, the Australian ska scene developed into something that was uniquely…well….Australian!!
Both the English and Australian ska scenes are currently thriving due to The Specials reforming for their tour and all the bands that “carried the torch” over the years are seeing resurgence within the genre.
We are really enjoying being part of the current Ska scene. It’s quite different from the first time round as there is far more musical diversity. There was no 3rd Wave back then and everyone was pretty much doing the same old school and 2 Tone songs.
As gentlemen who live in the real world with real lives, jobs and families what is the most difficult thing about being in a band when you have so many other things to attend to?
Steady on young man……I will have you know two band members also have imaginary lives, jobs and families!!
There is nothing that is necessarily challenging about the real world as you tend to love and enjoy each aspect of it….that said, and to answer the question; the most difficult thing is juggling time!
Melbourne is considered the cultural capital of Australia. Can you tell us how Melbourne has fostered the growth of Loonee Tunes and where the scene stands today?
We are very fortunate to live Melbourne. We have one of the most highly regarded commercial and indie live music scenes in the world and there are hundreds of quality venues hosting live music every night. You could be into Underwater Cajun Skiffle Music and you will probably find two bands and a scene that supports it somewhere in Melbourne.
In the late 1970s Melbourne became home to several distinct scenes that each shared a Punk DIY ethic and a passion for experimentation. Loonee Tunes certainly flourished in this dreary Victorian atmosphere via strong support from venues and the street press. These days we also rely on the radio (PBS) and the internet to spread the message.
Today’s Ska scene always indelibly feels like home as the majority of the bands were born and raised here and, for better or for worse, it made us all who we are. You can list the negative things that you don’t particularly like about yourself and you can easily blame it on Melbourne but the city is clean, its cosmopolitan, the shops are fantastic, the food is good and the people look sexy!
As veterans of the Australian ska scene if you could give one piece of advice to upcoming ska bands what would that be?
A piece of advice?….Ska and Punk bands should always question government and oppose anti social policy. However, beware children, for when politics and music mix…..they do not always mix well!
To succeed these days a band must sell its soul. It is sad that in today’s world of “POP IDOL” bands who wish to succeed have to “bow” to record company executives as opposed to retaliating against them….which is what Rock n Roll….and certainly Punk…should be about.
Chart music today appears to be dreadfully designed by executives attempting to attain cheap success without investing in any real talent. They have created a world of bubbly teenagers who want to be “idols” by miming. It’s not really the teenager’s fault, however a frightening number appear to have bought into it….as Don Letts said, “it used to be “never trust anyone one over 25”…these days it’s “never trust anyone under 25””
What are Loonee Tunes currently working on?
Finishing our Album and an upcoming Reality TV Show
Given your long history in the ska arena, what are 4 things the world doesn’t know about Loonee Tunes?
1. Our drummers’ cousin Saoirse Ronan is currently starring in a film called Hanna with Cate Blanchett and Eric Bana www.hannathemovie.com
2. One of the horn section secretly admires Buck Fizz
3. In the event of a return to the monarchy in France, the bass player is third in line to the French Throne
4. We once played a girls 21st Birthday party and announced that it was a “Rock against beards” gig……after which we were chased off the premises by some bearded gorillas
There is much debate about who will be the best dressed band at this year’s Ska Weekender Festival. Will the Loonee Tunes be bringing their own style and panache to the table to compete for the title?
A competition for the title of best dressed band? Are you having a laugh son? The vast majority of the bands will be sporting “Rancid” Tee Shirts and “Sublime” Board Shorts wont they? I think you should hand over the Trophy to us now!!
Loonee Tunes are the only band on the Melbourne ska scene who view style as part of a release from the humdrum of daily existence. We dress as the original Rude Boys did in sharp suits, skinny ties and Pork Pie/Trilby Hats inspired by American & English Gangsters and soulful jazz musicians.
We try to meld European styles into a smooth, sophisticated look that emphasises the suits, Button-down collar shirts, Chelsea Boots and Tassel Loafers……with a few Fred’s thrown in for good measure.
HAND IT OVER!
Who are you looking forward to seeing at the Ska Weekender Festival and why?
The Tote bar staff!
It was really encouraging to see the community support for the venue following the closure announcement in early 2010. We loved being part of the opposition to the liquor licensing laws and the 2,000 strong rally outside The Tote.
The rally and the petitions sparked public and political debate and forced amendments to the liquor licensing laws. It just shows you what can happen when people get together and make a stand!
Any final words to the readers of Dying Scene?
“Final words”…..”Dying Scene”…..its all a bit gloomy isn’t it?
We are just looking forward to playing again….our last gig with Bad Manners was a sell out (500 people at Brunswick on a Thursday night) so we are still on a high from that. Albums and Reality TV shows are fun…..but the real vibe for Loonee Tunes is, and always has been, on stage.
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