Name and title! (So I know who I’m talking to!)

Hi, I’m Andrew, and I’ll be your subject today. Title? Let’s go with ‘band patriach.’

This year marked the 10th birthday of Sand Pebbles; what did you do to celebrate?

There was body painting, some Vedic chanting, I seem to remember a sitar in the background. The rest is blurry…

The cover to Dark Magic is pretty bold, what made you decide on such a loud design?

We can’t lie – it was marketing. Also, we needed to offset the darkness of the skull with something that made you smile back at it.

Since 2002, you’ve regularly been putting out albums, ever year or two; do you enjoy being in the studio, and do you find it a good creative space, or can it be nightmarish trying to wrangle multiple opinions, idea etc?

We all love the studio – perhaps too much. It’s like you’re all grown up but still allowed to go nutso in the finger painting room. As for creativity versus compromise – we’ve come to the understanding that success has many fathers, and paternity suits are costly.

The difference in age between the member of Sand Pebble is often commented on; how does the varying generations within your band influence the music, both in the studio and live?

I enjoy Wes’s youthful enthusiasm. I hope he appreciates my road stories from the 80’s. It’s a party, and whatever you turn up with is cool, we’ll use it.

What are you going to do with the songs that didn’t make it onto Dark Magic?

Hopefully an EP will turn up soon – there’s some cracking stuff that didn’t make it onto Dark Magic that deserves a listen.

The album was produced by Malcolm McDowell; have you had someone genuinely think your album was produced by Alex from A Clockwork Orange yet?

Our Malcolm is much better looking, can rock a falsetto and isn’t prone to hyper violence (unless Ben asks him to turn his guitar up in the mix.)

I’m particularly excited by Will Carruthers’ work with ‘Entrance to the Stream’; how did some of the incredible collaborations come about on Dark Magic?

That’s down to Wes – he made the contacts, talked down the price, went overseas to seal the deals. He’s the Robert Stigwood of his generation.

What keeps you guys in Melbourne?

Family ties, plus Melbourne is a great music town.

What Sand Pebbles song can guarantee a party?

I’d say Wild Season – it was inspired by a quote from Jack Kerouac, and I always feel there’s a bit of Dean Moriarty’s spirit bubbling up in that groove. Although Ben would claim that Black Sun is the undisputed ‘song of a generation’. Take your pick.

It was someone within your own camp (guardian of the Sand Pebble twitter perhaps) that suggested these following questions for their own interview. I do feel like a cheater, but as soon as they were
suggested, I had to use them because I immediately had to know! Be sure to thank whoever it is that runs the Sand Pebbles’ twitter for all their help!

Thank you, Chris.

You're making love, Sand Pebbles comes onto the radio, do you turn the song up or off?

Up. As Lennon said, whatever gets you through the night.

You once had a woman in the band [drummer Clare Moore], how did this change the dynamic?

Ha – Wes is proud of the fact that he’s the only drummer we’ve ever had who hits harder than Clare – although I feel that kind of statement demeans them both. Clare was a delight to work with – she’s the ultimate ‘song interpreter’ drummer, great feel, and always fun to have around.

The show is going pear shaped, what song always makes things right?

Right now, I like playing Long, Long Ago – it’s in 6/8 time, and it’s kind of calming and meditative. I find it settles me right down when the set’s getting a little ropey

Brian Jones or Keith Richards?

I’m a patriarch. I’m sticking with Keef

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Catch Sand Pebbles on the road at these Dark Magic tour dates:
Friday 2 December - The Front Canberra (album launch), with The Sun Blindness
Saturday 3 December - Goodgod Sydney (album launch), with The Sun Blindness & Astral Kaleidoscope
Friday 9 December - Byron Bay Brewery, Byron Bay (album launch), with Black Cab and The Windy Hills
Saturday 10 December - Eight Miles High Festival Brisbane, The Zoo, with Black Cab, Richard In Your Mind + more
Saturday 17 December - Grand Pooh Bar, Hobart (album launch), with Hey Mook!
Friday 23 December - The Espy Front Bar, Melbourne, with Matt Sonic and The High Times, Buried Feather + more
Friday 6 January 2012 - The Nash, Geelong, with Black Cab