Shit Happens

Considering they haven't had a release to their name, Brisbane's The Kidney Thieves have managed to generate a decent amount of groundswell since they first got together back in 2006. That foundation of interest is set to spike heavily though with the release of the quintet's debut album Voodoo Love Machine. Three years in the making, Muzak explains that the record took so long to come together because it was recorded in pieces, between different studios and household locations. Without deadlines and expensive studio time, the creation process stretched out – a situation that bands typically loathe. According to the frontman, however, it was all for a worthy cause.

“I'm fucking happy with how it sounds,” he exclaims. “The process would've [been difficult] if we didn't have the sound we do, but every song is a different genre. We did all the drums at once so there's a consistent quality there and in the bass sound – I think that's very important. But there's metal, funk, western, disco, so with the guitars we wanted to pull individual sounds rather than doing something consistent for all of them. It gives it that juxtaposed vibe throughout which I think works. But if we were a band that was going for a streamlined sound I think it would have been very difficult.”

Muzak informs that the unique amalgamation of different genres has become a signature for the band, with the frontman saying the five-piece have started to discover themselves and really pinpoint their own sound.

“In this record we've just thrown everything into the mix and gone for it, but there's a sound underneath that is carrying through, and that's the sound that we're going for,” he tells. “We've got a bunch of new songs as well and I think you'll hear that we're really starting to develop our particular sound which is exciting. It doesn't mean that every song sounds the same, it's just something overarching that people can connect to.”

This progress hasn't come without its share of challenges, most dramatically a legal challenge from American band Kidneythieves that has forced the Brissie boys to create a new identity.

“We thought if we're ever going to change our name it's got to be before we release an album,” he says, “so this gig is billed as The Kidney Thieves, but on the album we'll be Osaka Punch. So this will be a bit of a farewell and album launch.”

When Muzak says farewell, he's talking in more ways than one. Along with the new album and name, the band are also stepping out to find a new location, with an overseas jaunt locked in. And when you weigh up their chances as hilariously as Muzak, there's no arguing their possibility for success.

“We've been discussing it for a year but it became serious about four months ago,” Muzak remembers. “I'm not sure what it's like for the other guys but for me, I'm getting to an age where visas will soon be hard to obtain, so while I'm still under thirty I want to get over there, have some fun and run amok. You can always come back to Australia – you can't always go over there and work. And I think that our sound is going to work really well in Europe because they've got a really progressive way of looking at music, especially Germany. And the way I see it, if scheisse porn can make money over there, surely we can!” he roars. “Surely we're better than people shitting on each other!”