David Olliffe Interview

David Olliffe has been the drummer in The Vines, as well as a friend to the other lads, for many years. Due to a mix-up in the space-time continueum, he's currently off the road while Hammish is on skins. Here's a Q & A session to keep his mind active during those long cold Sydney winter nights...

Let's not beat around the bush, your band is going places and you're not with them. Are you anxious to re-join and become a star?

I'm already a star so I'm not that anxious.

Now that's out the way, how did The Vines come to be, and were there any early pre-Vines bands that we should know about?

The most obvious early influences are the Beatles and Nirvana as you may have heard. You Am I were probably the biggest inspiration. The Vines came together as a congregation of vapours, before being liquified by cosmic forces.

It's an old cliche, but what are your main influences, personally and as a band?

They don't have to be musicians! I tend to like politics, but my main inspirations are artistic. Craig is a big fan of Dali. I'm more of a Pollock man.

Did you ever think that your band would be anything more than a hobby?

It started out that way, but pretty soon it was beyond our control. We always believed in what we were doing, despite any cynicism that blocked our path. A lot of people are going to put a lot of guns in their mouths over this.

(this is from Katt from www.themodernage.co.uk) Many would say that, for example, The Strokes have lost their magic because of their massive over exposure. Is this something you want to avoid or are you just saying "gimme the money!"?

I'm always saying give me the money, or at least show it to me.. Hype is always a double edged sword. Some people let it go to their heads, while others simply suffer from solvent abuse. There are people in the media, particularly in Australia, who wouln't know the truth if it bit them on thier typing finger. Sub-editors, are the lowest form of editors. They tend to let conflicts of interest get in the way of their brains. While some journalists can climb out of the street press with some credibility, the upper echelons in the media are easily swayed by their arse licking friends, standing over the bar. I really looking forward to doing a serious, uncompromising interview that concentrates on the facts. We live in a age where we buy Rolling Stone magazine from the super market with our alcohol.

What was it like recording in LA? I bet you never imagined it would turn out like that...

Nothing ever turns out the way you imagine in it, especially in the Vines. LA is a shit hole that comes up to your neck. Las Vegas is worse. There the devils dealing cards while you ask for advice. Doug the engineer was a decent fellow, even the runners had their heart in the right place, but when some people think, they think in small pieces. Greg Wales, who worked on "Get Free" and "Winning Days", was far superior in every way. He was polite and honest, with a good work ethic. If someone wants to get paid to have coffee with friends, he should have joined the police force. That's something he'd be good at. But Greg is Australian, so he's obviously brilliant. Working with Justin Stanley was also great too. He totally realised "In The Jungle", despite what some people thought of the song. Pete Thomas was cool. He listened to the songs. All the other guy could do was count....the money.

It's been said that the most successful bands 'make it' with their second or third LP. Do you disagree, or would you like your debut album to be a slow burner, to increse the longevity of The Vines?

I think our second LP will be much more in line with our vision. With this record we had too much interference from imbeciles. I think we have a lot of albums in us. The next album will probably be more self-produced. I think Craig could do the job better than anybody. For the time being, I may be able to live with this record, as long as it's the one I want the world to hear. If that happens it will be a fast fuse. Better to burn out than rust.

What other contemporary bands are in direct competition with The Vines?

Rocket Science, from Melbourne just released a brilliant album. They're somewhere between, Iggy Pop, and Nick Cave with a better sense of humour. Snout (also from Melbourne) are probably the most underrated band in Australia. People think their so 1965, but I think 2065 would be more accurate. I'm not really up to date on the emerging bands from around the world, but I always keep a close eye on England.

Now for the quick fire game -

How do the Vines party?

We take acid and play trivial pursuit.

Greatest record of our time?

Urban Hymns.

Next record: more of the same or a total u-turn?

Swervedriver 99th Dream does it for me.

Record cover art: and favorites?

Village Green Preservation Society (the Kinks), Funhouse (the Stooges), Bringing It All Back Home (Bob Dylan), Hi-fi Way (You Am I)

Best Australian band ever?

I've already talked about the Church, so I'll say You Am I. Let me also make an honourable mention of the Saints.

Best Australian band around today (exluding AC/DC and Powderfinger!)

Let me just recommend the Rebel Astronauts.