We’re getting alternative via the Land Down Under for your mid-week dosage of new band-age.
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
Formed in Melbourne, Australia and mostly from here too; Jen being from Queensland and Mark from NZ.
How did you meet?
Originally we met on an online music forum, Mark and Paul had been in many bands in the past and met after chatting a bit online. Over the years the lineup has changed many times, but we all found each other at different times in more or less the same way! Just wayward souls looking for a band.
How long have you been playing as a band?
2014
Before you get sick of being asked… Where does the band name come from?
Mark wanted to call the band The Figure Skater. Figures was the compromise.
What are your influences?
Collectively: Deftones, Nine Inch Nails, Rage Against the Machine.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
We are an alternative metal band with progressive elements. Our local scene is dominated with Aussie prog music of all sorts and we’re trying to break away from that and showcase our early 90s influences more.
Do you have any particular lyrical themes?
Operating in Unsafe Mode delves into more political themes, cognitive dissonance, dehumanisation and questioning of the truth. Past EPs have been more focused on personal and existential themes like the passing of time and self meaning, but with the world being the way it is, it’s hard to not let life’s frustrations bubble to the surface, hence the far more aggressive nature the new album has comparatively.
What’s your live show like? How many shows have you played?
Loud. Our live show is loud. We’ve played a bunch of shows, mainly in Melbourne and East coast Australia. We’ve been fortunate enough to open for some great bands like Hed (PE), Pop Evil, Voyager, Twelve Foot Ninja and Monuments to name a few.
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?
Mark got the whole audience to sing Happy Birthday to Josh Bags at our last show. It was not his birthday.
What kit do you use / guitars do you play / etc.?
Josh: Schecter guitars, EVH amplification, Celestion speakers, Stymon/Jim Dunlop/BOSS pedals, D’Adarrio strings.
Paul: PRS guitars. ENGL amplification, Celestion speakers, Fractal Audio, Neural DSP, Jim Dunlop, D’Adarrio strings.
Adam: Parker Handicraft Drums, TRX cymbals, Evans skins. Collision drum sticks and Roodiment hardware.
Jen: Lakland Skyline 55-01 (5 string), Mark Bass ‘Little Mark 800’ head, Mark Bass 104HF cabinet.
What, if anything, are you plugging/promoting at the moment?
We have a new album called Operating in Unsafe Mode coming out on July 17th, as well as our first single “Underpaid Machinery” which has premiered on BBC’s Radio 1 Rock show and is currently on rotation on The Faction.
What are your plans for 2020?
Like all other bands and artists we are trying to figure out how best to adapt to the isolation lifestyle. Not being able to do shows is a massive bummer, but I feel like the current circumstances have oddly made us more productive. We’re all adults with complicated lives so often the one thing holding us back was our inability to all be in the same room at the same time. Now that that’s no longer an issue finally we can get stuff done!
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!
We’d be thrilled to support Karnivool, and can recommend a brand new Melbourne band called Warnings for the opening slot.
Figures: official | facebook | twitter | instagram | youtube
