We figured watching a 12 piece band requires some preparation especially one whose tour suggests drunken knife fights, so we caught up with VELOCIRAPTOR to lay the groundwork. Catch Velociraptor this Friday night at Purple Sneakers at The Gaelic for all the duel fly kick action.
In 2008 you started as a three-piece, and now you're 12 people strong. What’s your recruitment strategy?
If you've seen the original Jason and The Argonauts movie, it's something along those lines. There's an important quest ahead and so we have recruited the finest warriors in the land.
Does it get squishy up there on stage?
Certainly does. We've started stacking members on shoulders and taking to the floor.
Coach, Bob Evans, Party Pie, Mickey Flip, Fabio etc... Where did the nicknames come from? Pre or post band inception?
Well Simon Ridley has always looked like a young Kevin Mitchell / Bob Evans but some came along the way. Never fight Daniel "Sand in your Eyes" Dunne, lest you want sand in your eyes.
What has been your most memorable gig to date?
Probably 'That Festival' or 'Rics Festival' cos festivals rule and have the world's greatest riders.
The Brisbane scene is popping out some amazing stuff at the moment. Who are you into that we may not know?
There are some rad bands that some Raptors are also a part of ie. Running Gun Sound, Tiny Migrants, Tiger Beams etc but outside of those check out Keep On Dancin's, Cannon, Little Scout, Crass Creatures, Dot.AY, Dolphins, The Madisons and Little Casino just to name a few.
You're playing alongside the New York Dolls at Boroughs 2011, how does that feel?
Amazing. I don't even know how it all came together but we consider ourselves very lucky.
Your East Coast Tour 'Drunken Knife Fights Ensue' kicks off this week, what can we expect from your shows? Your gang rolls 12 deep and your tour suggests violence, will there be blood?
There's often accidental blood. The other night at Rats at Colonial Hotel Julien got punched in the face and Dan dual fly kicked some dude. Thus far it's more epic martial arts then drunken knife fight, but hey, there's still Sydney this week.
Download Velociraptor - Sleep With The Fishes HERE
