Go/No-Go have spent the better part of 2011 writing and recording their follow-up to their debut album Autofocus, and they’re almost ready to unleash it. The album doesn’t drop until summer, but we’ve got our first taste with the single “Phase Out.” It’s currently available as a free download through their Bandcamp page.
To celebrate the big launch the band will play a free show for their hometown fans at Sydney’s Lansdowne Hotel on the August 13. This is the first chance for punters to see the brand new Go/No-Go line-up. Keyboardist Steve Allison has filled the shoes of departed drummer Nicholai Danko, although he hasn’t left the keys behind entirely. He now shares those duties with lead singer Steve Claxton. Going from a five-piece to a quartet is bound to shift the band’s dynamic, but I’m not entirely sure that’s a bad thing.
So clear your schedule – Go/No-Go are back in business!
Go/No-Go are a Sydney five-piece with a big future. After cutting their eye teeth performing with bands like Spod, Devoted Few, and 78 Saab these lads have found the right combination. I caught up with Tarek Darwish, Dan Arena, and Steve Claxton ahead of the launch of their new single “Lost in Berlin” to talk about the song, their recent time in the studio, and what the future holds for this exciting new band.
People outside of Sydney may be unaware of your music. For the uninitiated, how would you describe your sound?
Stirring, powerful, angular synth-rock. We play pop songs with an indie aesthetic, but we’ve got 2 drummers so it is a little more rhythmic and experimental than most bands perhaps.
You’re about to release your third single “Lost in Berlin.” What can you tell me about the song?
This one went through about a hundred different versions before we figured out how to make it work. It started off as this weird electronic thing with almost no live instrumentation. Now when we play it live, it’s a bit of a crazy jam. There’s a lot going on, lots of keyboards and samples.
You’re going to launch the single at the Sandringham Hotel, which is such a lovely little pub. What do you enjoy about playing those sorts of small, intimate shows?
The Sando’s in a really good spot, the refurbishment they did last year is a big improvement on the old stage. The new room is actually a pretty decent size; it’s just got a great vibe now.
What can music lovers expect if they come down and see you live?
We haven’t played many shows recently, so we’ve had the chance to change a few things around and tighten some of the songs up a bit.
We’re lucky to have a bit of flexibility on stage. Some songs have the double-drummer thing happening, other songs we’ve got three people playing keyboards; it’s a bit random at times.
Will fans in other states get to see you playing any time soon?
We’re always keen to play wherever we can, and I’d be surprised if we haven’t done a few Melbourne shows by the end of the year. Getting further afield is going to depend on everyone’s timetables lining up though. Continue reading “Q & A with Go/No-Go”→
