Having recently reviewed their stupendously brilliant album, it was only fair we threw Smoking Martha our Band of the Day questions…
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
Brisbane, Australia.
How did you meet?
Through friends of friends.
How long have you been playing as a band?
Current lineup have been playing together for 4 years.
Before you get sick of being asked… where does the band name come from?
I started singing karaoke to build some stage confidence and I won a competition singing “Total Control” by singer Martha Davies of The Motels. I found it super fascinating that she chained smoked while singing onstage and that’s where the name came through!
What are your influences?
We each have many different influences for example I’m personally influenced by Chrissy Amphlett by the Divinyls for her unique stage presence as well as Janis Joplin for her raw husky vocals, Mick has more of a high energy punk background, Matty digs more stadium rock and Jord is a metal head.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
We are high energy rock with big melodies and sultry husky vocals! We are just writing what feels right and not following trends!
Do you have any particular lyrical themes?
Yes, I can be pretty depressing like most rock musos. Our debut album, In Deep, follows a running theme of feeling too far into something that it’s too late to give up and I guess anything that was wearing me down at the time, that I needed a release from by writing about it.
What’s your live show like? How many shows have you played?
Definitely over a few hundred shows. We try to keep our live shows high energy from start to finish and as entertaining as possible by just having fun!
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?
A 2 storey stage dive at punk show years ago!
What kit do you use / guitars do you play / etc.?
Jord has a Tama 5 piece drum kit with Zildjian cymbals, Mick uses a Les Paul guitar through Peavey and Orange, Matty plays a Fender Jazz bass through a Peavey Mach head.
What, if anything, are you plugging/promoting at the moment?
Our Debut album In Deep which has just been released through Bad Reputation Records throughout the UK and EU and our UK tour which finished in London on the 2nd Dec!
What are your plans for 2018/2019?
Finish this tour and continue writing our 2nd album, which should be hopefully released next year followed by another UK tour!
If you were second on a three-band bill, which band would you love to be supporting and which band would you choose to open for you? A chance to plug someone you’ve toured with, or a mate’s band we’ve not heard of before!
Massive to open, ’cause they are awesome and you have to be on your absolute game to follow them and the headliner Halestorm ’cause they are huge and amazing live!
