Japunga: Be Scene.

Japunga play the QSM Basement on Sunday and the Rose’n’Crown, Surfers Paradise on October 2.

There’s been a lot going on for local metal act Japunga in the six months since the release of their impressive Beginnings debut. The band’s frontman, and local scene instigator Jef took some time to fill us in.

“Things have been alright, we are have been keeping busy mainly getting known interstate. We are a month off a third tour of Sydney and surrounding areas and a first tour to Melbourne and Adelaide. A lot or driving, a lot of drinking and no sleep.”

This weekend finds the band supporting Gold Coast high flyers Devolved and Japanese metal kings Subs Owl.

“Devolved's management contacted me to help set up a Brisbane show and to invite us to play on their Gold Coast show. It will be our first show back at the Basement for over three months and to be doing it with Devolved and Suns Owl is pretty damn cool. I must mention Headkase are opening up as well.”

As mentioned before, Jef is heavily involved in trying to build up the local metal scene, his band gigging heavily in venues not previously associated with live music of the metallic kind.

“When venue managers use us as an example on what we have achieved from playing their venue, it kind of helps the reputation of the band. Take the Basement for an example; we played there 18 times last year. Certain people would bag us for it, yet it almost paid for our EP, which has been heard all over Australia, taken us on tour three times and has set us up for a decent Album launch!”

The band are also currently in the market for a drummer, with a temporary replacement filling the seat at present.

“We have Mat from Andalusion filling in whilst we finalise a drummer,” Jef, who is also a drummer himself, explains. “There are a couple of guys we are jamming with, but no decisions have been made. It is extremely hard to find someone that can groove. To many drummers spend the time playing fast and crazy fills. Getting them to play groove is almost impossible for some, and that’s the most important thing! We also tour a lot and if you really want to give a shot it has to be done. Hey what do you recon… should I chuck a headset on and play drums and sing?”