Killing Time

Rip It Up, Issue 171, 1 October 1991, Page 20

Killing Time

There's no denying the fact that most Australian bands get a justifiably raw deal over here, something that could have a lot to do with the fact that they tend to be covers bands, pub rock bands or alternative pub rock bands. It is a slightly unfair deal as there is no shortage of very fine acts over there, and Killing Time most definitely slot into that category. Their recently released EP is more than enough to convince me of that, it's a nice chunk of sub-Stooges noise with a modern edge and a there's a killer Hendrix cover for good measure, so what do Nina, Jed and Chris think of the concept that Oz-Rock pretty much sucks? "Yeah, there's a lot of really pathetic tribute bands over here,

and they all seem to make more money than we do! A lot of the hotels won't get an original band to play, it's got to be a tribute band or a covers band, and the original bands lose out." Despite this there definitely seems to be a healthy scene over there. "There's been a real resurgence in the last year or so, and I think the success of certain international acts has helped open up the public more." Outside of the fact that they're from Melbourne, Killing Time's past is a bit of a mystery to me. Nina, who seems to be closest to the phone fills in the details. "We started about 3 years ago, the core is Adam (vocals), myself (bass) and Chris (lead gat), we've had about five different drummers

and our guitarist has been with us for about a year and a half, which was when things really started to click. We've been working really hard for the last 12 months." I understand there was a bit of a queue to sign you. 'There was a bit of a shit fight for a while, which felt weird. We got sick of answering the phone from nine til nine but it was a good experience as we had to learn a lot about business very quickly. We were pretty definite about what we wanted in our contract, which was basically a lot of artistic control and freedom in what.we do, which is why we eventually signed to Red Eye." And is there an album in the works? 'We're working on that at the moment, we've got another E.P. out in September, then fulltime into the album. We're just working out where to record it as we've got a bit of interest from America, so hopefully we'll record over there." And tour over here? "Definitely! We toured there a while back and it was cool, and the airfares aren't much so who knows!" Last of all, I have my killer question. A dubious source, (Hot Metal magazine actually) tells me some of you guys work in a biscuit factory. (Much laughter—the parties in question seem to be present and highly embarrassed). 'They did! We all had to do stupid things to be able to play, and pummelling dough all day was one of them!" With dedication like that you know Killing Time have to be serious. KIRKGEE