THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE QUESTIONNAIRE: Chris from Gold Medal Famous

You have to like and admire Wellington's artrock-cum-satirical pop group Gold Medal Famous.

They rock, they roll, they are witty and droll.

When Elsewhere reviewed their 2011 album 100 Years of Rock we concluded this was a band where one week you might be in the audience and the next you might be on stage as part of the group.

They write songs like They're Drinking My Punch, John Key is Dick (in a barbecue-reggae style), Meat Lover's Pizza and Go, Gold Medal Famous, Go!

At their Facebook page in a recent posting they noted that “this song is a hit. All it needs is a million dollar marketing budget”.

It was one of their songs, of course.

So GMF are funny . . . and they have new EP out so are taking to the road for a short tour (dates below)

They describe their Free Body Culture EP as a world first “eclectotronica” release.  “Rocking the trash party. The EP is an efficient seven-song release clocking in at 27 minutes 35 seconds, perfect for the busy citizen of today. This EP is suitable for a mature audience who want to party.”

Time then for the band's frontman Chris to answer The Famous Elsewhere Questionnaire

The first piece of music which really affected you was . . .

Peer Gynt Suite by Edvard Greig

Your first (possibly embarrassing) role models in music were . . .

The Muppets (no embarrassment here).

Lennon or Jagger, Ramones or Nirvana, Madonna or Gaga, Jacko or Jay-Z?

Lennon, Nirvana, Madonna, Jacko.

If music was denied you, your other career choice would be . . .

Music isn’t my career. It’s a fun hobby. I’m a bureaucrat but I’d rather be an academic and also make large royalties of my music.

The three songs (yours, or by others) you would love everyone to hear are . . .

John Key is a Dick (handbag house version) by Gold Medal Famous,  Everything’s Fucked by Dirty Three, Lift Yr. Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven… by God Speed! You Black Emperor.

Any interesting, valuable or just plain strange musical memorabilia at home?

We’ve got a Moog Theremin we use all the time. We’ve got a bunch of hand percussion: a vibraslap, gong, bells and a conch.  We also have the cornet I learnt on as a kid. I was in a concert band, a brass band and orchestras as a teenager.

The best book on music or musicians you have read is . . .

Nico: Songs They Never Play On The Radio by James Young

If you could get on stage with anyone it would be . . . (And you would play?)

Lou Reed and we’d play Metal Machine Music.

The three films you'd insist anybody watch because they might understand you better are . . .

The Idiots by Lars Von Trier, Cave of Forgotten Dreams by Werner Herzog, Fight Club by David Fincher.

The last CD or vinyl album you bought was . . . (And your most recent downloads include . . .)

Fade - Yo La Tengo. I don’t download music much.

One song, royalties for life, never have to work again. The song by anyone, yourself included, which wouldn't embarrass you in that case would be . . .

100 years of rock- Gold Medal Famous

The poster, album cover or piece of art could you live with on your bedroom forever would be . . .

Daydream Nation- Sonic Youth

You are allowed just one tattoo, and it is of . . .

Nothing. I don't like tattoos. No one in Gold Medal Famous has a tattoo. A band without tattoos, that makes us punk.

David Bowie sang, “Five years, that's all we've got . . .” You would spend them where, doing . . .?

Hanging round New York eating great food, going to gigs and exhibitions, traveling around America with sporadic trips to Europe.

And finally, in the nature of press conferences in Japan, “Can you tell me please why this is your best album ever?”

The "Free Body Culture EP" is an efficient 27 minutes 35 seconds for the busy citizen of today. Some of the songs you can even sing along to. The EP is political, just in time for election year. It is catchy and weird enough to keep you interested.

It has 7 songs on it so it is lucky. Thanks for your interest. Enjoy!

GOLD MEDAL FAMOUS 'FREE BODY CULTURE' TOUR


Friday April 18th – with King Loser at UFO, 9 Veronica St, New Lynn, Auckland


Saturday April 19th – daytime performance – watch this space for details


Saturday April 19th – Borderline Festival, Whammy Bar, Auckland

Sunday April 20th – Jizzfest, Tauranga