The Basics Stand Out Fit In Kris Schroeder Interview

And so we're back to Basics again... After years of training, Melbourne's favourite new rock act is jumping into the main game with their debut album 'Stand Out/Fit In'.

The Basics have one of the most impressive commitments to the live circuit in Australia - touring relentlessly, they have hit every mainland state in the last three months; a mammoth effort followed up by a tri-state residency which saw them playing in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane every week throughout April.

At A Glance:
* Single added to over 25 stations nationally
* Performed at Homebake 2006
* Special guests at V Energy AIR Awards in 2006
* Drummer Wally De Backer is the creative force behind Gotye

This new record lives up to the promises critics have made through their great single and livereviews - the rich and eclectic 'Stand Out/Fit In' plays more like a 'Greatest Hits' than the band'sdebut album.

"You want to know what we sound like? Well, you get a bunch of great songs, a bit of rock, a lot ofsoul, and some guys that love playing music together and you tell me what it sounds like!" statesbassist/vocalist Kris Schroeder.

"Fitting in seems to be about having the 'it' sound or the flavour-of-the-month haircut in the musicbusiness and yeah, we could do that, but we like a challenge so we're going to prove that you canstand out in the simplest of ways - write great songs, and stick them through your ears and into your head!"

Commitment has never been a question with The Basics - touring, writing and recording all play a part inwhat they signed up for at the musical gate. With melody pumping through their veins and creativityspilling out into other projects (drummer/vocalist Wally De Backer alter-egos as Triple J favourite Gotye), The Basics are here for good, whether they Stand Out OR Fit In.

The album (self-produced, & mixed by David 'Chipper' Nicholas), was released on May 5 through MGM.

"The Basics have emerged to redefine the landscape of music currently offered in our nation... trackby track something new emerges from their sound that was previously unheard..." (Ruth Bailey, TheBlurb)

"an inspirational listen from a group of immensely talented lads..." (Ben Preece, Time Off)

"Winningly danceable and fun... any number of songs on this album could sound just as comfortable on the AM-band Local Radio as they do on FM sister station Triple J." (Nick Marland, The Program)

"Quality songs and faultless melodies... it's retro but different. The trio move through decades with ease, touching on rock, ska, and even a bit of big band. It's all about the groove, man." (Dave Hall, Alpha; June 2007 ed.)

"When the all-in assault of guitars and drums kick in for first tune Rattle My Chain, you know this album is going to be fun... An endless supply of happy, old-school rock goodness... " (Scott Podmore, Sunday Herald Sun)

"The world desperately needed a band who knows how to put on a good show, who knows how to have some fun. We finally have just that." (Peter, openyoureyestomusic.blogspot.com)

"An inherent joy... it's refreshing to hear a band unafraid to play whatever the hell they want to... let The Basics be your guide." (Dom Alessio, The Brag)

"They're not Slayer, but they ain't The Seekers either..." (Ralph; June 2007 ed.)

"Their spirit is well-placed... an impressive and thoroughly enjoyable debut effort... infectiously enjoyable... " (Juan-Pablo Chavez, Citysearch)

"A fair corker of a debut... the songs are swinging, grooving and shaking all the way to the bank,without compromising on the fun that The Basics are notorious for..." (Dylan Stewart, Inpress)

"...a band simply playing whatever the hell they like; and doing it bloody well by all accounts... Thisexploration results in a pastiche of sounds from a variety of genres and is anything but basic." ("Mocker", A Fine Line)

"The Basics are unfaultable..." (X-Press)

"notoriously brilliant" (Beat)

"the band to watch in 2007" (The Advocate)

"what happens when Sting and whoever's left of the Beatles get together at Mick Jagger's pad forbeers" (Zoo Weekly)

Kris Schroeder - vox/bass/songwriter - The Basics Inteview

1. How did it feel to hear your song played all over the airwaves?

I wish I could tell you, but I haven't heard it yet! I don't really get much of a chance to listen to the radio - we're not allowed to have it on at work, and most of the rest of the time I'm either hanging out with friends or working on new material!


2. Did you have any pre-conceived ideas about the music industry?

Absolutely - I think everybody does. There so many movies and books about it - think Almost Famous, or even Spinal Tap, and there's definitely this dominant view that Record Companies are evil. They're not evil really (though there are some not-very-nice types in other parts of the industry), I think there's just alot of naive musicians who sign away their lives without understanding the consequences.


3. Do you write your own songs? What's your inspiration?

Life and love are big inspirations for me, I'm a passionate person so my songs are often trying to communicate the complexity of emotion. It usually starts with a catch phrase - like "Memory Lane" off Stand Out/Fit In came about from a dodgy two-dollar shop plaque that I saw in a pub that read exactly that - "Memory Lane". A melody came into my head and I recorded it into my phone for later.


4. What music/artists do you listen to when you are not playing your own?

I'm a big Crowded House fan, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Tom Petty, The Faint, Cold Chisel, Midnight Oil - there's lots of stuff actually. I'm keen on Ryan Adam's stuff at the moment (it's a long moment okay?).


5. What's next? Tour/Album/Single?

Currently in pre-production of a new album, deciding on the material and who's going to produce (or we might just do it ourselves). We're got a few festivals coming up early next year (can't say which yet though), then an album coming out in Japan and probably a tour to back it up. We're also hoping to do a tour of Australian High Schools next year too.


6. Was there a moment you contemplated throwing in the towel?

I did throw in the towel one afternoon in Japan! We were all a bit at the end of our tether with the humidity there, feeling a bit lonely, and there was alot of stuff going on at home and it just got a bit too much for me and I quit for an afternoon. It lasted about 4 hours all up.


7. Do you prefer performing live or recording?

That's a really hard question because I really love both! We don't get to record very often, so I'd probably have to say recording, simply because we play live so much.


8. What/who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Well I've been playing music since I was a kid, but listening to The Beatles' "Blue Album 1967-70" in the car when I was a teenager got me into writing songs and wanting to make that my career.


9. What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?

Dealing with people in the music industry! They can be real downers, some of them - alot of depressive types. That's fine until they start having a go because you're not drowning in as much misery as them. We all have bad days (I have alot of them!) but I prefer to look on the bright side rather than take my frustrations out on others (although it's something I could do better too!).


10. What's a typical day like?

A typical day means getting up at 7:15 am, shower and dressed and on the tram by 8am. Start work at 8:30 (think "The Office"), and then finished by 5pm. Head home on the tram, then could be anything from going to see friends, playing PS2, cooking, making new music or boring old chores! I try to get to bed by 11pm, but it always ends up after midnight...


11. What has been your favorite part of becoming a music artist?

The fame, darling, the fame! Hahaha. The travel is the best - and when people find out you're a musician they offer you food and drinks and a bed to sleep in...

12. If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Wally De Backer. Whoops! Already do!


13. Are you single? What do you look for in a partner?

Hmm... tricky! Singlish. Or is that Singaporese English? Either way, Top Three traits are 1. cute, 2. sense of humour and 3. compassionate. Someone that I could go backpacking around the world with.


14. Do you have a website fans can visit?

Lots of them! There's www.thebasics.com.au or myspace.com/the3basics or you can even find us on Facebook!


15. Can you tell us 5 things required for a happy healthy & enjoyable life?

1. lots of water, 2. brush your teeth, 3. be nice to everyone - even people that aren't nice to you, 4. try to be empathetic - everyone is different and nobody is worthless, 5. go with your heart!


16. What message would you like to say to your fans?

Life's too short to say you can't.


17. What is the story behind the bands name?

No story - it was just the least-worst name we had at the time!

60 Second Quiz

Full Name: Kris Schroeder
Nickname(s): Coolish
Star Sign: Pisces
Music Talent: Poor-to-middling (vox/bass/guitar/drums/violin)
Favorite Food: Roast dinner
Favorite Film: Ghostbusters
Favorite Actor: Bill Murray
Pet: Chia
Describe yourself in 3 words: Big Fat Bastard
Best Feature: Pale Blue Eyes
Worst Feature: Red Hair (no friends) hahahaha
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: The Man in the Moon
Hobbies/Interests:
First Job: Pizza boy!
|Are you a Pub, Bar or Club kind: Pub
What Can You Never Leave Home Without: My house keys
What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning: I hate work.
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