The Demon Parade

The Demon Parade

Forming in Melbourne in 2009, The Demon Parade have since firmly cemented their place at the forefront of Australia's psychedelic rock explosion. The band who recently released their -Chameleon' EP will take to the road in 2013 for an East Coast tour and beyond.

Based around the songwriting of frontman Michael Badger, the four piece have racked up the accolades since the release of their debut 7" in 2009. Earning significant airplay on Triple J, Rage and community radio across Australia, not to mention being handpicked for tours supporting the likes of the Brian Jonestown Massacre and Swervedriver, as well as playing alongside Aussie favourites British India, Stonefield, The Cruel Sea, Gareth Liddiard and more; their live act has become one of legend. Following the success of three singles and their debut EP God Said It's Legal, the band have returned with their much anticipated follow up EP, Chameleon.

Mixed by Tony Lash [The Dandy Warhols, Elliot Smith] the Chameleon EP retains their trademark dense psychedelic swirl, and sees the band opening up a world of kaleidescopic pop hooks and shimmering melody; from the insistent doe eyed paean to patching up relationships on -Lovers Again' to the stadium hooks of -Chameleon', sprinkled with Eastern motifs and hints of tabla and sitar. There's still a light and playful touch in the pop sensibilities of -Fake Can Dan', while a knowing wink is extended to the hangers on in the music scene with the short sharp pop dig of -She's Gonna Be A Star'. -All The Cool Kids' can rightfully claim to be an epic example of psychedelic pop, while -Cut My Ties' sees a more introspective look at the vagaries of playing in bands.

Channeling the likes of The Stone Roses, The Church and The Small Faces while also clearly taking cues from Spiritualized and the Dandy Warhols; The Demon Parade have taken a giant leap musically with their Chameleon EP.

Reigning in some of the denser and more esoteric elements of previous releases and injecting the record with a carnival-esque atmosphere, full of pop hook fireworks and rollercoaster melodies; Chameleon sees them set to trip the light fantastic of the festival season this summer, pockets bursting with musical fairy dust.


The Demon Parade Tour

Saturday 19th January 2013: 'Slam Festival', St Kilda Beach, St Kilda - VIC
Monday, 28th January 2013: Festival Of Sails, GEELONG - VIC
Thursday, 31st January 2013: Brighton Up Bar, SYDNEY - NSW
Friday 1st February 2013: Old Manly Boatshed, MANLY - NSW
Thursday 7th February 2013: Surfers Paradise Beer Garden, GOLD COAST - QLD
Friday 8th February 2013: Beach Hotel, BYRON BAY - NSW
Saturday, 9th February 2013: Tym Guitars In-store, BRISBANE - QLD
Saturday, 9th February 2013: 'Trainspotters' Grand Central, BRISBANE - QLD
Sunday, 10th February 2013: 'Live Spark' Powerhouse, BRISBANE - QLD
Friday 15th February 2013: Rocket Bar, ADELAIDE - SA
Saturday, 16th February 2013: The Grace Emily, ADELAIDE - SA
Saturday, 2nd March 2013: The Workers Club, MELBOURNE - VIC

Interview with Michael Badger

Question: How would you describe your music?

Michael Badger: Hypnotic, melodic, reverb-drenched, chaos, laced with hooks and harmonies.


Question: Tell us about Chameleon?

Michael Badger: It was a long time in the making. Personally for me it was like a best of as it represented some of the best stuff I'd written over the last 18 months. While most of the EP was recorded at my own studio, we also had some great input from Tony Lash (Producer of two Dandy Warhols albums) during the mixing process. So the final product for us was refreshing to our own ears having the external input.


Question: What are you looking forward to most about the upcoming tour?

Michael Badger: We've called this tour 'The Demon Parade's Kaleidoscopic Summer Vacation'. Being in a band you don't really ever get time off – I wrote and recorded a song on Christmas day. If something needs doing then you gotta do it before it's too late. So being able to travel to some amazing parts of Australia – especially up north to Byron Bay, Surfers Paradise and Brisbane, it will be a bit of a vacation for us and something we can really enjoy while being away from Melbourne and the studio.


Question: How does it feel and hear to see yourself on Triple J and Rage?

Michael Badger: I generally always miss it when we are on as I don't get the chance to watch much TV or listen to the radio. But I love getting text messages from my friends saying 'Your on TV" or 'Triple J NOW!"

Question: Do you write your own songs? What's your inspiration?

Michael Badger: Uh-huh. Everything. By that I mean that I don't usually sit down to write about one thing in particular. I let whatever it is come to me. Occasionally I'll write a 'Storytellers" type song but quite often the lyrics are quite open and can be interpreted in many ways. I like keeping that mystique in the music for The Demon Parade.


Question: What music/artists do you listen to when you are not playing your own?

Michael Badger: The Small Faces, The Church, The Rolling Stones, The Stone Roses, Kula Shaker, a huge variety of traditional blues, rnb & soul music and I also have an extensive interest in traditional ethnic music from places like India and the Middle East.


Question: Was there a moment you contemplated throwing in the towel?

Michael Badger: No it's never actually crossed my mind.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Michael Badger: They are two completely separate things. I have the liberty of owning my own studio so while I'm recording the clock isn't ticking and it's no cost to me which means it's a pretty relaxed atmosphere while making music. On the other hand there is no feeling like playing a high energy show and pouring all your emotions out into a set of songs in front of a respondent crowd.


Question: What/who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Michael Badger: Both my parents have been in bands all their lives as well as my grandparents being really successful in the classical scene. I couldn't really avoid it. I tried to be a tennis player but music won me over in the end.

Question: What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?

Michael Badger: Though I am still yearning for success, there's been a lot of challenges along the way. My previous band formed when we were in high school and once we left school we were doing quite well and were predicted to be the next big thing amongst industry types. We signed a record deal with a major label and from there things went pear shaped. We lost a lot of our creative freedom which got us to where we were and the pressure was on me, as the main songwriter to create music that kept the people in suits happy, my band mates happy and our fans happy. I felt that it didn't matter if I was happy and proud of what I was doing. Of course, too much conflict from all parties involved caused more than a few eruptions, which is hard to deal with and stay focussed on what's important when you're barely out of your teenage years. As the main songwriter and lead singer of the band, you're the first person people blame for things falling apart and your best mates in your band who you've been close to since early teen years are no longer talking you. But looking back on it now, all of that has brought me to where I am now. You learn a lot about how to deal with people, how to retain friendships as well as retaining working relationships with people who you don't necessarily agree with and you realise that you can create your own path for what you want to do in life. Maybe that is success?


Question: What's a typical day like?

Michael Badger: Wake up, coffee, emails and social media updates for a couple of hours, food, coffee, see the family, get in the studio to make some noise, emails, food, green tea and then hit the hay. On a good day I can squeeze some physical exercise in there somewhere. Of course when we're on tour things are completely different.


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

Michael Badger: Every day is a new day. There's always a new place to perform and a new song to write.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Michael Badger: In previous interviews I have said Gurrumul. It hasn't happened yet so I'll stick to that one.


Question: Do you have a website fans can visit?

Michael Badger: Get on our Facebook for all the info you'll require and for streaming/buying our music hit up our Bandcamp page. (www.Facebook.com/thedemonparade) & (www.Thedemonparade.bandcamp.com)


Question: Can you tell us 5 things required for a happy healthy & enjoyable life?

Michael Badger: Balance, goals, interests, determination and love.


Question: What message would you like your music to say to your fans?

Michael Badger: Open your mind and view things from more than one perspective.


Interview by Brooke Hunter