The Resignators describe themselves as "a psychoska band from Melbourne, Australia". The seven piece have toured across the world and have a strong fan base in their home country. I asked singer Francis some questions about the band and their experiences to date, as well as their plans for the year ahead.
Hi I'm Francis I'm lead singer of the rag tag bunch known as The Resignators
Hey Francis. Thanks for speaking to Push to Fire. So who else is in the band and what do they play?
Let me introduce you to the rest of the gang - Dittman plays trumpet and sings, Stacy on Keys, Steve (who formed seminal puppet band GWAR) on guitar, Jai on bass, Jono on trombone and Sharpy banging out on drums.
The Resignators formed six years ago, however only Dittman and myself are original members. The band was originally put together due to the demise of some other ska bands by myself and former Trombone player Ellen.
You seem to use a lot of rockabilly punk style imagery. What kind of ska would you say you play and how would you describe your music?
I really dig that you picked up on the rockabilly, it's a big part of what we do. Strangely enough, traditionally, ska and rockabilly don't really go together. We don't see ourselves as third wave, but, we understand how people would associate us with third wave ska, most of the band grew up on a diet of third wave ska… We like to think of ourselves at the start of a fourth wave, a psycho ska revolution!
Which bands inspired you to make music?
Personally I'm really into bands like Rancid, The Bouncing Souls, Operation Ivy, Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Sublime. I grew up in the country with a diet of Aussie pub rock and I guess that comes through sometimes too. Everyone in The Resignators comes from a very different musical background and I guess that's what gives The Resignators their unique flavour.
What's the ska scene like in Melbourne and Australia in general?
Melbourne scene is without doubt the strongest community in Australia. A really good mix. Seasoned performers and up and coming bands. We get great support from the punters and most of them have become our friends rather than fans.
Do you know much about the UK ska scene at the moment and if so which bands are you into?
We know a little bit about the UK scene and I keep up to date through the Do the Dog fanzine and various posts. We were meant to tour the UK a few years back but the band were turned around by border control. I really hope we can get to return. Some of the bands in the UK that I really dig include The King Blues, Sonic Boom Six, New Riot and [spunge]. I'm hoping New Riot get to tour Australia later in the year… Maybe if they HTFU (they know what that means!).
What's your latest release called and where can we get a copy of it from?
Our new album is called “See You In Hell” recorded in Montreal in 2010. It's our best release to date. We're all so stoked with the way it turned out. It's available as a download on itunes, band camp and other download stores and you can get physical copies as CD or 12” vinyl at live shows and in Australia through MGM, Canada / USA through Stomp / Union Label Group and online at www.skastore.bigcartel.com. We really hope to get a label in the UK and Europe soon to get the record out there!
How do you write your music? Does one member of the band come up with most of the riffs and lyrics or is it more the case of all band members having an input into the songs?
We've always been a band where everyone is involved in the song writing process. It's rare for an individual to write a complete song. Usually someone brings in an idea or concept into rehearsal and we pick it apart, make changes and pretty much rewrite it.
It's a group effort.
Favourite venue to play and why?
Vic Ska Fest in Victoria Canada is pretty much the greatest festival in the world!!! Other venues I really dig include Foufs in Montreal, The Corner Hotel in Melbourne, and Cortes in Canada just for the beauty of the island.
If you could travel anywhere on tour where would you wanna play and why?
Tough question. There's so many things we'd like to play - Warped Festival in the USA, Glastonbury or Rebellion in the UK, Mighty Sounds in the Czech Republic but I think we'd be so super stoked to play Australia's biggest music festival the BIG DAY OUT.
What's been the most exciting thing so far for The Resignators?
I can only speak for myself but Vic Ska Fest on Vancouver Island in Canada was pretty amazing. Playing with the Aggrolites in Vancouver on that tour was pretty amazing too.
Which bands in the Australia ska/punk scene should we check out?
We'd love you to check out some great Australian bands including Loonee Tunes, Kujo Kings, Chris Duke and the Royals, Steel City All Stars, Anarchist Duck, Lotek there's so many maybe just check out www.skanation.com which is an Australian ska festival and has links to many bands
And what's the one thing you hope to have achieved by the end of 2011?
To be happily making music with The Resignators. Maybe even a little $ - hahahahaha
