-Interview- (10/31/24)
1. How did you get started with music and how did you develop your sound? How did the name "Flunker" come about and is there any meaning to it?
I got started with music through my old man, he’s a great drummer and played in bands throughout my childhood. Our house always had music going, with Rage (The Aussie equivalent to MTV) always on telly. l never had an interest in playing music though until I was 14 and my dad took me to see Iron Maiden and the bassist Steve Harris really blew my mind. Like most teenagers I had the cliche emo phase which got me into Blink 182, Neck Deep and all that jazz, so years later when myself and Jake, who had a very similar upbringing and music taste, wanted to start a band, the sound, lyrical themes and vibe just kind of came together itself. We spent months just sitting at my dining table writing and recording demos before we ever had a proper jam. And the name Flunker came from Jake, who didn’t like my suggestions: Tobey Maguire, The Poos or Metallica. The name pretty much refers to like a dropout, loser sort of character which I think ties in well to our immature sound.
2. What do you want people to take away from your music?
What I want people to take away from our music is a sense of fun, nostalgia and authenticity.
3. How would you describe your sound to the average listener?
I would describe our sound as a blend of all eras of pop punk garnished with signatures of music from all eras of Aussie rock from The Angels to Violent Soho to Ruby Fields.
4. Who are three bands you’d like to tour with?
Blink 182, No Pressure and The Chats.
5. What's your thoughts on AI generated music?
Currently it’s soulless boring dreck but I fear it’s only a matter of time before it starts to replace man made work. I like AI for the purpose of mucking around, like if you want to make a photo of Batman and Robin eating chicken wings, go for broke or generate a clip the Simpson’s covering a Beatles song, gnarly, but the minute it crosses into replacing real, emotional human art, it’s crossed a line.
6. What’s your take on the current state of Pop Punk?
I think pop punk is in a great spot. All the pioneers are flying the flag high, with Blink, Green Day, Sum 41 and Alkaline Trio all coming out with pretty solid releases in the last couple years, the 2010s bands are doing great with The Story So Far bringing out maybe their best album yet this year and I know it’s controversial, but that whole TikTok pop punk scene a few years back was excellent for getting kids into it. Sure, Machine Gun Kelly isn’t the most punk rock bloke on the planet, but if kids get into the scene from that, the more the merrier. Music is all about that ya know? Like back in the day everyone called Blink posers, but their biggest influence was the Descendents and you’re not going to argue with their punk cred.
7. What’s the current music scene like there in Australia?
The music scene in Australia on the local level is interesting but unfortunately not really my thing. The scene is very cliquey and the music is very indie/pop rock dominated. In our home city of Adelaide there are some really great bands, though, especially in the more punk side of things, shout out to Lola, Bird Island and Lickity Split.
8. What’s your take on the royalties that streaming services pay out to artists?
I think it’s ridiculous. Back in the day you could make an absolute mint on CDs, when that was the only way to hear your music. On Spotify, Flunker currently has a few thousand monthly listeners. If that was CD sales, we’d be living the dream, but unfortunately, from our streaming revenue we might have made enough for Jake and I to share a schnitzel and a pint. If there is a local band you really get around, please share the good word, cop merch and go and see them live, they are the best ways to support the small bands you love.
9. What’s next for Flunker?
Flunker is in an interesting position at the moment. Jake is moving to the States for work for a few years and I’m staying in little old Australia, wanting to start a family and all that, so for a few years we will largely be on hiatus, but in that time we will keep in touch and keep writing and we hope for a triumphant return.
10. Any shoutouts?
I would like to shout out my amazing girlfriend Belle, who has been the number one Flunker fan since day dot, as well as just being the best person I know, my parents, thanks dad for the musical upbringing, band recommendations and advice, and my amazing mum for all the support in and out of music. I would also like to thank Tate and James for being the best live band we could ask for, as well as everyone else who has picked up the sticks or axe for us, and finally, all the friends, family and strangers who have came to shows, streamed songs, shared our posts, or done absolutely whatever to help support, you guys mean more than you know.
