If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to have cheeky chin wag with Ambrose Kenny-Smith then wonder no longer my friends. This week I had the pleasure of chatting to The Murlocs front man about their latest album Old Locomotive, touring life and the skating career that almost was.

For those who are familiar with the works of The Murlocs, Old Locomotive comes off the back of a stellar album, Young Blindness. Their captivating mix of psychedelic rock and blues seems to have struck a chord in not only the Australian music scene, but the US and European as well.

If you haven’t plugged into these guys yet, stop what you’re doing and grab a damn pair of headphones! Other suggested listening devices include your crackling car speakers, your dad’s record player or alternatively, just blast your tunes in the quiet carriage back from Sydney; everyone deserves their daily dose of Uncle Murl.

Now please, sit back and relax; prepare to take in all that is The Murlocs and my awkwardly worded questions.

Young Blindness was such a phenomenal album; how do you think that Old Locomotive stacks up?

Old Locomotive in a way is the next step forward in the sense of rock and roll. Our formula of songwriting seems to have come to its home now with this one. I feel it’s a definite progression from Young Blindness. This style has become our own way of identifying ourselves. In a way that is hard to shake off. Hopefully our next venture after this will become bit more experimental.

What was the initial inspiration for Old Locomotive?

In the beginning it was just a bunch of songs that we had been gathering for quite a while. My main inspiration for The Murlocs is early Captain Beefheart and The Animals. It always has been and will most likely always will be.

Do you think that working with King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard has affected or changed the vision of The Murlocs?

The Murlocs vision has always been very clear and natural from the beginning. Although, playing with King Gizzard has helped grow and guide my confidence in song writing and creativity.

Was it surreal getting to open for the Pixies earlier this year?

The Pixies were a huge influence on me from the age of about 10. When we found out we got the slot I went back and revisited a bunch of their albums again. Such an amazing band! It was a real honour.

The film clip for Noble Soldier is fantastic (if not a little terrifying), how did the idea for the clip come about?

It sort of snowballed into what it is. The director Alex Mclaren and myself were bouncing ideas back and forth for quite a while so it eventually went out of control. I’m glad with how it all turned out though. Even if the overall message of it all got a bit lost along the way it was fun making it.

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Now you’ve been announced for Splendour in the Grass later this year, are you nervous to take on such a huge festival?

Last year with gizzard was lots of fun. We haven’t got to play any festivals for quite some time so we’re all looking forward to it!

I did a bit of digging and found out that you used to skate professionally. What made you change direction from skating to the music industry?

I was never a professional but I was sponsored for skateboarding from the age of 10 or so. Playing music came a few years before that so I was always juggling them both. For a long time, I could never decide which one to pick and do it properly. I could never make up my mind up. I guess music won? haha

You’ve just been announced to play Snake Pit on the Central Coast; Do you plan on testing out the mini ramp while you’re there?

I’m pretty rusty on a mini ramp these days but I might have a half-arsed go at some point maybe?

Have you ever been to Newcastle and what is your current impression of the city?

I’ve only been once to Newcastle and it was with gizzard about 3 or 4 years ago. We played The Small Ballroom too. I can’t recall much as we were only there for the show and left. Hopefully I’ll get to check out more of it this time around. My current impression and only knowledge that comes to mind at the moment is The Gooch Palms and my skater friend Beau Reid. They’re all nice people so I assume everyone else is too!

What’s the most outrageous thing to ever happen on tour?

Probably when Cal tried to ask John C Reilly for his autograph twice in the same night. Also that time when we met Bill Clinton on the street of Visalia, CA a week later.

One last question… If you weren’t called The Murlocs, what would your band name be?

The Shit Chairs

– Bree Smith

Bree is a Newcastle import who survives off British television and hummus. She spends the majority of her time chasing bands up and down the east coast. Never without a set of headphones, you’ll often find her lost in a wormhole of related artists on Spotify. One day she hopes to impress people by being able to play more than one song on guitar.