Band Interview: Kathleen Turner Overdrive

Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life are pleased to bring you an interview with alternative punk rock band, Kathleen Turner Overdrive.

1. How did you get started as a band?

Lizzard: I decided in 2015 that with the kids all grown, it was time to have some fun and get back into making music. Adz (on drums) and I mucked around with indie covers with our mate Bec (on guitar) for a while, then Mark came on board (on bass) followed by Mel on drums. Mark, Mel and I had played in a three piece in the early 1990’s called Kathleen Turner Overdrive, so we decided to resurrect the name.

Mark: The transition from indie covers to originals was interesting. We are really happy with our song-writing and the sound we are shaping. It’s pretty simple but the songs are coming together really nicely. The fit between us too is really nice.

Adz: I do miss drumming for the band, but I am rather amatuer behind the kit and flourish more as a bassist, having played in various cover bands AND originals bands, it felt like a pretty smooth mesh into the original band layout again and having jammed alongside Mark and Liz for so long it was an easy and comfortable transition.

Sharkz: I had been good friends with Mark, Liz and Adz for quite some time before joining the band. At the time they were having a few troubles with drummers committing to what they wanted to achieve. I remember having a discussion with Mark about this and thought “well give me a crack at it”. I had actually just returned from a full U.K tour with my other band and wasn’t sure on how much extra time I did have. Within the first few jams and rehearsals I knew I had to make time! It was a great fit from the first note played and I have enjoyed every experience and achievement with them!

2. How would you describe your sound?

Mark: Punk Rock.

Lizzard: I don’t describe our sound as anything other than punk. I like that folk can’t quite nail our music to a specific genre. It’s been called punk that is… tribal, melodic, inclusive, relevant and modern. I like all those adjectives. Punk is my jam for sure.

Adz: Alternative punk, the amount of different influences flowing through this group of Overdrivers is too vast to slimline it into a singular genre or category.

Sharkz: Punk Rock that hooks you in!

3. What bands/artists would you say have influenced your style of music?

Mark: So many influences. The Beatles and other bands of the 60s to a large degree when I was a kid. Lots of metal in my mid-teens then punk and other things indie. Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden we’re big influences especially on my bass playing. Guitar-wise very inspired by The Clash and The Buzzcocks, and philosophically by The Dead Kennedys and The Jam. Billy Bragg. Bob Dylan. Hendrix!! So many influences. I used to love listening to The New Zealand show on local community radio station 4ZZZ, bands like The Clean, The Bats, Straightjacket Fits , sometimes even certain mainstream songs.

Lizzard: The Clash, Blondie, The Buzzcocks, X-Ray Specs, Lita Ford, Joan Jett, The Divinyls.

Adz: From the funky slappiness of Flea from RHCP, to the sporadic, short-sharp riffiness of SOAD, I find my personal style that compliments Marks licks are based on a range of bassists including Geddy Lee of Rush, Les Claypool of Primus, Cliff Burton, Steve Harris… the list goes on.

Sharkz: I grew up with a lot of 80’s rock, my mother was a huge Kiss and Rolling Stones fan! From there came the 90’s and through my teenage years found a lot of 90’s punk rock/ alternative music. There was a heap of great punk and Alt bands throughout the 90’s, what a time to be alive! so with a mix of 80’s rock and 90’s punk you get me!

4. Has the rise of YouTube & music streaming helped or hindered you as a band?

Mark: Yeah I think all platforms have their purpose but recording and playing live is what thrills me the most.

Lizzard: Recently a punter at a gig of ours told me he was there because our video for ‘Unseen’ had come across his facebook feed. These days your reach is far thanks to music streaming. It’s definitely been a help to KTO.

Adz: We’ve had overseas interviews due to being able to easily make contacts with people in the advertising/music/entertainment biz, I feel it’s done us a great service.

Sharkz: For sure! We even had people singing along at the last show!

5. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not making music?

Mark: I’ve just started reading again. Actual books. I just finished a great historical Ben Elton novel ‘Two Brothers’ about a Jewish families experience of the escalating anti-Semitism in pre-World War 2 Berlin. Now I’m re-reading Lord Of The Rings. We love pop culture and exploring new shows on various platforms. Love good Nordic noir. Things that are a bit off-beat. I loved ‘It’s The End Of The Fucking World’.

Lizzard: Syfy, horror, crime and history channels are my go to. I also dig keeping our inner-city jungle plot under control and caring for our rescued animals…chickens, greyhounds and a tuxedo cat called Slynkie.

Adz: I’m pretty big on gaming, finding new and unique music, keeping up with whoever I can in my personal circle and trying to keep up enough energy for my partner and 5 yr old.

Sharkz: B-E-E-R.

6. What are your future plans musically? Tours?

Mark: Super excited to be asked to do an upcoming show with a couple of great Melbourne punk bands coming up to Brisbane in November, and we are also headed to Melbourne in October with our mates from melodic metal masters Krave. We are also doing a charity gig supporting a domestic and family violence support service in September with our most excellent mates Krave, and grungesters Violet. And being part of a scene in Brisbane that is chock-full of amazing bands. It could be renamed New Seattle.

Lizzard: Exciting times ahead. After we cut our teeth on doing shows in other states, I am keen to head overseas. That may take some time, due to family commitments, but it will happen for sure. Live free or die!!

Sharkz: As Mark has said, we have heaps of exciting plans on the horizon with more coming in every week! KTO is unstoppable!

Links

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