Star Fucking Hipsters

Aside from having one of the most memorable names in punk rock, Star Fucking Hipsters are known for being a punk supergroup of sorts whose brand of ska-punk delivers a raw and confronting message. With their third full-length slated for release this year via Fat Wreck Records and their debut Australian tour steadily approaching, we heard some interesting thoughts from vocalist and guitarist Stza.

Hey there, please start out by telling us your name, what you do in Star Fucking Hipsters, and your most hated celebrity?

I am Sturgeon and I hate no celebrities, I’m not a “hater”.

What influences the band most, musically or otherwise?

Geo-political politics.

It’s the band’s first time in Australia as a whole, although obviously Leftöver Crack snuck some SFH songs in during their 2009 tour. What are you expecting from those dates?

More punches to my head and really high ticket prices.

On those shows you’ve got AC4 supporting. Have you played with or seen those dudes play before?

Yes, I’ve “sentenced” Denis at least once if not twice to my drunken crying…

Political issues are obviously centrally important to the band. What do you think about the current political climate in the US?

The USA is translated into the old “United states of Apathy” and "indigenous genocide”. But Australia knows all about Aboriginal death and genocide...

The band has just spent some time in the studio working on the new album. How’s that been going?

It’s going way better than the Aboriginal imprisonment and genocide. We have Boots from the Coup and Blackbird Raum on our side this time.

How does the new record compares to your first two albums?

It’s different, better. Our third volume will be more ska, but not “ska Fucking Hipsters”, more like “Dumpster to the Grave"!

The band recently announced the replacement of your drummer P. Nut for Mikey Erg. What has his presence brought to the band so far?

More pop-punk tunes, like this one song sounds like Bad Religion’s ska-punk song, this other one sounds like Jawbreaker’s ska-punk song and then there are our own versions of Choking Victim and Leftover Crack. There are a lot of different influences and we can pull it off, kind of. That’s the challenge. Frank, the lead guitarist wrote a song that’s almost a Jewish party song, but I changed a note and we had “Blackbird Raum” from California play on it and then I named it “Otra Vez!” which is Spanish for another time again. Basically "one more song" at concerts. Between us all, we have fused Eastern European music, Mitzvah songs. I was brought up Jewish for any of the 'Rhomp Stomps', and on Latino music like Santana.

“Until We’re Dead” was released via Fat Wreck, as the new one will be from my understanding. How has it been working with those guys?

It’s been refreshing in many ways, although working with A.T. is more politically fulfilling due to sistering with A.K. press and releasing spoken word releases with the likes of Mumia Abu Jamal, Angela Davis, Christian Parenti, Arandahti Roy, Howard Zinn & Noam Chompski, to name a few. But Fat has been really good for Leftover Crack and S.F.H. in so many other ways. I love both labels equally for their contributions politically. Though I am now officially drunk. I just heard Boots from the Coup Rap on our new tune and I don’t know if that would’ve happened without A.T. and Fat being in our lives…

What albums do Star Fucking Hipsters thrash in the van when on tour?

Buh! I make everybody listen to the Arcade Fire. A lot of the Wu and Dead Prez and the Coup. 2Pac too. I’m a bit upset about Immortal Technique because of the latent homo-phobia that is not acknowledged and Dead Prez for their whitey-hating. Yes, when you play a show for white people that support you, don’t waffle about your politics.

Thanks for your time man, see you in April. Any final comments for fans?

The most important issue for the rest of your life is potable drinking water. That means starving, dehydrated children. Fuck famines, you have no idea of what you’re in for. Take action! Australia knows better than the “states”.