ALLERGIC INTERNATIONALISTS

A band who have achieved the great Australian band dream of becoming very popular in their own country, Powderfinger command respect not only because of their popularity, but also because they are a great band. Through the release of their early album Parables For Wooden Ears, to the breakthrough Double Allergic & on to their most successful project yet, Internationalist, the band have gained a reputation for excellent live performances & equally impressive singles & albums.

I last spoke to Bernard Fanning, vocalist for the band, at the time of the release of Double Allergic & recently caught up on the phone with Ian Haug, one of the band's guitarists, just prior to their tour around Australia with Something For Kate, which should be an amazing set of gigs.

I first asked Ian about the recently released Powderfinger song, which is featured in a forthcoming film called Two Hands.

"Well, we were asked to do it actually. We went & watched the finished cut of the film & it's a little bit unusual, because they've put a sort of dummy song in that they feel best captures the moment, but it went from there, it's as simple as that."

On another note, I asked about the difference between the band's albums.

"Well, with Parables, we were sorting out our sound & even though it didn't sell as well as the later albums, we still think it's a good record. Double Allergic on the other hand, was a little bit of a breakthrough record. We experimented a lot more with the sounds & with Internationalist, which has been our most successful album, we think it captures as closely as possible, the sound we have live."

Those interested in where the band are heading following Internationalist will be interested in what Ian had to say about technology & the band's music.

"I'm experimenting with various things on the computer at the moment & I've just gotten my system set up so I can do things on it. I think our next album will feature more technology than any of the previous ones. Not that it'll be a dance album or anything like that, but it'll be used in an unobtrusive way. I think a lot of music features technology for the sake of it. We're primarily a rock band & the technology will just be sot of an enhancement to our sound if you like."

Furthering the technology question a little, Ian went on to explain about his use of the Internet.

"It's great for things like getting closer to the fans, but I mainly use it for downloading software & searching for things. There's a lot of rubbish & it's hard to sort out, but that's really what I use it for. I guess in the future it might play a more important role."

Ian had mentioned some of the gigs they have played & I asked which was the most active scene around Australia.

"I think at the moment, Brisbane has the most active scene as far as up & coming bands go, but it's really by degrees. Sydney also has a lot of new bands. Really, I think new bands are springing up everywhere, it's just a matter of the timing when so many bands seem to appear at the same time."

Lastly, I asked Ian about the role that radio has played with the band's growing profile.

"We've been very lucky really. Triple J has always been very supportive & continue to be, plus they help out a lot of new artists, which are also helped out by community radio, but we have also been lucky to have been picked up by Triple M as well. Of course the exposure on Triple J must have helped us get there, but at least they're showing they can play some of the newer bands. I mean I like the classic rock format & there are a lot of people who do too, but I also like to hear a lot of new music & in the end, the market for classic rock has to die out a bit as the younger people become the ones with the money. Perhaps it's a sign of things to come."

Check out Powderfinger's latest album Internationalist through Mercury or see them on their tour with Something For Kate around the country.