Perth raised and Melbourne based singer-songwriter Peter Bibby released debut album Butcher / Hairstylist / Beautician back in 2014, a collection of honest lyricism tuned to underground rock.
Beginning his musical career as a busker in Perth, then later becoming part of the group Frozen Ocean, Peter has performed on stages around the world, touring with Pond in the U.S., and at huge festivals such as SXSW, South Africa’s Rocking the Daisies, and Laneway. In that time, he’s dropped four albums, with the most recent, Drama King, released last year.
Butcher / Hairstylist / Beautician was Peter’s introduction to his diaristic voice, hinting at his experience growing up as working-class, and his involvement in Perth’s underground rock scene.
Regarding that first album, Peter said,
“Butcher / Hairstylist / Beautician holds a very special place in my heart, the record that put me on the map, full of songs I wrote before anyone really gave a shit. It’s pure and unaffected by the outside world and paints a detailed picture of a very different time in my life.”
You can check out the recently released music video for “Stinkin’ Rich”, directed byTriana Hernandez, below!
To commemorate the album’s 10th anniversary, Peter will embark on a tour across Australia to perform Butcher / Hairstylist / Beautician. For all five dates, he’ll be accompanied by his original bandmates: Nicholas Allbrook (Pond) on drums, and Johnny Baird on bass. You’ll find all the info, including dates and ticket details, below!
But before we get to that, Peter has revisited Butcher / Hairstylist / Beautician for us here at The AU Review, and put together a fabulous track-by-track breakdown. He says:
“It’s been 10 years since I released these songs, even longer since I wrote them so let’s have a little looky at them all and see what I have to say about them.”
Hit PLAY and read on!
“Goodbye Johnny”
Johnny is a popular character in the Rock n Roll game. Most reputable song writers give big John a mention at some point in their career and heck, I’m no different. In my case, Johnny was the bass player on this record and in my band for a few good years there, I met him via my sister, who he has been in a committed relationship with for many, many years now. I believe this to be a good song, I still enjoy playing it, many people I play it with jump to the bridge a verse early which makes me wonder if it has one too many verses, I’ll leave that up to you to decide. A bit of trivia for you, I reference Mudhoney’s ‘Touch Me I’m Sick’ not once but twice in this song, it being the opposite sentiment given by Johnny when it comes to touching one who is with illness.
“River Guts”
Ah yes, this song. Is it about a river? Hygiene? Sashimi? Fuckwits? The answer, yes to all of the above and many more topics. Why stick to one topic when writing a song when you can cram 10, 20, even 30 topics into the one ditty? As a creative and a visionary I don’t like to put any limits on my art works and that is clear on this track as I sing about all manner of things, particularly something alive in my belly. I believe I wrote this during a disgusting Melbourne heat wave when some friends and I visited Laughing Waters to ease our pain and I didn’t shower for a couple of days after because I was a dirty, dirty boy back then, and just like that, the opening line came to me and probably 15 minutes later I had the song. Just magical.
“Bat & Ball”
A lovely love song about no-one in particular. Ever heard of romance? Now you have.
“Home Alone”
I wrote this song after getting completely blazed by the Merri Creek with my dear friend Katharine Daly. I returned home to find myself all alone, somewhat paranoid and penned this tune. I had been watching Boardwalk Empire, and Al Capone just killed someones wife, I thought that was pretty nasty of him.
“Hates My Boozin’”
This one just spilled out of me one dreadfully hungover day after returning back to Melbourne via the Nullarbor with my mates Nathan Savage and Raspberry Steve. I had been playing the tune on the guitar the whole way across with no words, then we got incredibly pissed in Melbourne and the next day my housemate Cosi (who played the bride in the video clip) told me I should lay off the booze. I jumped on my typewriter and belted these lyrics very quickly. Later, after the song was released, I told Cosi it was about her. She cried.
“Friends”
I used to do a lot of busking around Northbridge, and with it came ciggy smoking and goon drinking with randoms. This tune was inspired by such events.
“Stinking Rich”
I was very poor when I lived in Melbourne, and one day found myself dreaming of great wealth so I decided to write this song. I got it about halfway done and showed it to Johnny, who suggested I write some verses about actually being rich and being a bit of a jerk about it, so I did and the song reached completion. Thanks Johnny.
“Red XF Falcon”
Speaking of romance, here’s a true story about a real chicky babe with a real Red XF Falcon who I shared a birthday with. Everything in this song really happened. I wrote it after we broke up as a bit of sweet closure. It’s always very sweet and a bit lol whenever I play this live and all the lads put their arms around each other and chant the words. Not a result I ever expected but one I am not unhappy with.
“No More Sleepovers”
I was seeing this girl in Melbourne for a while and whenever I’d stay over she would never let me go to sleep. It’s definitely the weirdest song on the album, with an even weirder video to go with it.
“Cunt”
I think I wrote this song when I was about 16. It’s obviously about the Midland Train Station, where everyone refers to each other as Cunt, and they will bash you for a cigarette. Being a total romantic I turned that scenario into something kind of sweet and nice. Everyone loves romance, unless you’re an arsehole.
There you have it, some deep insights into these vintage tunes. I hope you have enjoyed reading them as much as I have enjoyed writing them.
See you soon
Love from Peter
BUTCHER / HAIRSTYLIST / BEAUTICIAN 10TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR
- Sunday 02 March – Mojos, Fremantle
- Sunday 09 March – Crown & Anchor, Adelaide
- Wednesday 12 March – Mo’s Desert Clubhouse, Burleigh Heads
- Thursday 13 March – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
- Friday 14 March – Marrickville Bowling Club, Marrickville
- Saturday 15 March – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
Tickets are available now at spinningtopmusic.com.
Stay up to date with all things Peter Bibby via Instagram, Facebook, and Spotify.
Header image credit: Kristofski
