Tim Morrissey, Singer-guitarist, The John Steel Singers
Good friends, good music and good booze ...
The John Steel story starts when a young Tim Morrissey finds an abandoned toy horse in a restaurant he’s working in. It’s not until a few years later that the fate of that cast-off little stallion is realised, and the piece of plastic christened ‘John Steel’ becomes the unofficial mascot of budding Brisbane band The John Steel Singers. By that time, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Tim and fellow muso Scott Bromiley had recruited a couple of extra bandmates to help fill out the stage and craft their distinctive sound. The local lads then go on to release their debut album Tangalooma in 2010, which leads to a ballooning fanbase and a string of shows around the globe. And then, a lesson in patience for the band’s newfound devotees, who would have to wait three long years before a follow-up release from the boys. November 8 will mark the end of the wait, with sophomore album Everything’s A Thread kicking off a massive national tour next month. But before the boys hop back in the tour van, Tim took five with The Weekend Edition to talk weekend rituals and The Plutonium project.
Describe yourself in ten words …
I would find that quite difficult to do … Beard, glasses. (Ten! Spot on!)
What five things complete your week?
My wife, coffee, music, beer and working at our studio.
How do you find juggling a day job and playing in a band?
It can be extremely difficult if you don’t have an understanding boss – and even when you do, it’s still difficult. However, having a day job reminds you how enjoyable it is to play music.
If we rummaged through your grocery bag, what would we find?
Cheese, tomato paste, bread and oranges – all I need to make an Old Fashioned and a toastie.
You’re set to play The Zoo on Friday November 29, what do you love about the hometown crowd?
All my friends and family are pretty keen to hear what we’ve been working on for the last couple of years, so it will be nice to show them.
Can you tell us a bit about what we can expect from your upcoming album, Everything’s A Thread?
It’s different, so I’m told … I really like it, which I couldn’t have said for all of our last album. If you’re expecting anything like ‘Overpass’, you’ll probably be disappointed.
What’s your personal favourite song on the record, and why?
That’s a pretty hard decision for me, but I kinda have to go with ‘MJ’s On Fire Again’. It kinda consolidates everything we’ve done to this point and gives a nod to the direction we’re heading in. It was a turning point for the album.
Which other local Brisbane bands do you have your eye on?
Major Leagues, Go Violets, Blank Realm, Sky Needle, The Goon Sax, Kitchen’s Floor and McKisko.
Can you tell us a bit about The Plutonium studio you’ve set up with Sean Cook?
We used to rehearse/record in the Wizzard! Rehearsal Rooms, run by Brisbane underground pop icon d-Wizz. But unfortunately it was shut down and we were left homeless, so we rented out a warehouse space and were lucky enough to get a sync deal around the same time. So rather than just setting up a rehearsal space, our plans escalated into The Plutonium. It’s really quite lovely in there, you should come record some time.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever played?
There are a couple, but the first that comes to mind was the Fire & Flood Benefit at The Tivoli. We played our own set, then played as Robert Forster’s backing band, so not only did we get to share the stage with one of our favourite artists at one of our favourite venues, but we also got to play some of our favourite The Go-Betweens songs. I’d also have to mention Treefort Music Fest in Boise, Idaho. We were almost as far from home as geographically possible – snow-capped mountains in the background – and we played to an excellent crowd who really, really got into it.
What’s the first thing you do when you get home from tour?
Vacuum and listen to vinyl. Cleaning and music are such a great match.
What’s the one song you wish you wrote?
Probably ‘Outdoor Miner’ by Wire – it’s pretty much perfect.
What are your essentials for a well-spent weekend?
Good friends, good music and good booze. It’s a boring yet impeccable answer.
What’s something you’ve been meaning to do on the weekend but haven’t got around to yet?
Listen to Thin Lizzy.
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Sunday evening?
Go for a long run to purge myself of all the weekend excess.
What are you reading at the moment?
Life Against Death by Norman O. Brown. It’s pretty slow going, but I think I’m learning.
What inspires you?
Looking at pictures of bands in the studio – especially in the 1960s/70s – it just gets me excited to record and write music.
What was your childhood dream?
It was actually to play in a band, but I didn’t really tell anyone until I was about 21.
What are your words of wisdom?
Try not to work a job you hate – but if you want to be a musician, be pragmatic about it.
Only a local would know … Stones Corner is the place to be!
FAVOURITE WEEKEND SPOT TO:
Perk up … Uncle Joe’s Coffee House, Coorparoo or Grindhouse Specialty Coffee, Stones Corner – coffee, coffee, coffee!
Relax … Tippler’s Tap, Newstead or Brisbane German Club, Woolloongabba – good food, good beer.
Dine … The Crosstown Eating House in Woolloongabba is always enjoyable, and The Servery upstairs from Pearl Cafe is also excellent.
Indulge … For the party, Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall on Caxton Street in Petrie Terrace. I’d never enjoyed a cover band before and I’d certainly never cheered one for an encore – not until Lefty’s! For food, Curryville Indian Restaurant in Morningside, it’s so good I’ll eat it till my heart stops.
Shop … Egg Records, West End.
Catch up … Again I’d have to go Brisbane German Club or Tippler’s Tap.
Be inspired … Sunshine Coast hinterland.