Since Courtney Barnett took out triple J‘s Album of The Year last week, the national broadcaster and Barnett herself have absolutely copped it from listeners who do not agree with the decision. Not being able to let it go, some people have actually gone absolutely HAM on social media, and now The Basics have had enough of it.

Taking to their own Facebook page, the band voiced their frustration at Australians and their “apathetic attitude” toward major stations like Nova and Triple M, whilst doing the complete opposite when it comes to the red drum.

“What is it about the station that attracts the ire of so many?” They asked, before continuing to say, “Is it because maybe they’re the only National broadcaster that actually *does* give two shits about trying to champion new music and sounds?”

Anyone that has had the sometimes misfortune of listening to other major stations like Nova or Triple M would know what they’re talking about, considering it sounds like they get given a 10 song quota each day, and they must only play those songs for the next 24 hours – and normally, those songs are not by up-and-coming local acts.

Before asking for a ceasefire of triple J and Richard Kingsmill “bashing”, the band pointed out the difference in approaches between “mainstream” stations and the alternative, saying quite frankly, “When are we going to start putting pressure on DMG (Nova) and Austereo (Fox, Triple M, etc etc) to significantly increase their support of locally-made music? We always excuse them from scrutiny because ‘they’re just after the advertising dollars’.” 

The band, which includes Wally De Backer aka Gotye, are no strangers to calling out injustices as they see them, so any kind of backlash really would not have any effect on the guys. Maybe this will be one of their policies should they try their hand at politics again?

Melbourne’s The Basics were recently approved for their own political party, and now, they’ve teamed up with the Australia Sex Party for what will undoubtedly be one of the more exciting groups running in the upcoming Victorian election.

The two parties will be celebrating their coming-together with a six metre flat-bed truck, which they will be driving around Melbourne while the band play live up above. It’s a sweet tribute to AC/DC’s 1975 performance of It’s A Long Way To The Top on Swanson st. Excellently named The Sex, Votes and Rock ‘n Roll truck has visited Coburg, Northcote, Dallas and other Melbourne suburbs today!

Led by bassist/vocalist Kris Schroeder, The Basics Rock ‘n Roll party candidate for Northern Metro urges voters to learn and engage through politics and music. “We’re here to cut through the merry-go-round bullshit of the two major parties and stand up for progressive policies that create a more equitable society where culture and dignity is part of everyone’s lives,” he said.

This is one of the only times in Victorian political history that two parties have come together to campaign. “Politics is a divisive and competitive sport but we’re showing the electorate that you can get more votes by being nice to your competitors than you can by slinging mud at them,” says Fiona Patten, president of the Sex Party and candidate for Northern Metro. “If the Sex Party or Rock n Roll party doesn’t win that last seat in Northern Metro, Family First will. So we’re all out to make sure the most progressive seat in the parliament stays that way”.

The Basics are also heading out on their own tour next month in celebration of their brilliant (and politically charged) new EP The Lucky Country

 

The Basics are hitting the road over December and January in support of their forthcoming EP The Lucky Country. They’ve just released a new single of the same name and its clear that the Melbourne three-piece of Kris Schroder, Tim Heath and Wally DeBacker (AKA Gotye), have taken a pretty significant shift in their songwriting. It’s political, it’s powerful and it’s bloody excellent. Think Midnight Oil’s punchy lyrics mixed with the snarling tones of The Drones.

Their new political direction comes as no real surprise, considering their recent attempts at setting up a new political party (The Basics Rock and Roll Party) in the Victoria State electorate.

The single comes along with a wicked video to boot. It’s a “Rock n’ roll rant against the age of entitlement, and the leadership gulf in the Abbott-Shorten-Palmer-Milne circus.”  In the current political environment, it’s invigorating to see some good ol’ fashioned protest music.

Don’t miss your chance to catch one of The Lucky Country’s best live acts grabbing Australia by the wrist, giving it a shake and shouting WAKE UP!

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THE BASICS
THE LUCKY COUNTRY TOUR

Tickets on sale from 9:00AM, Friday October 31st

December 16/17
Newtown Social Club
Newtown, NSW

December 19
Sol Bar
Maroochydore, QLD

December 20
Old Museum
Brisbane, QLD

December 27
Corner Hotel
Melbourne, VIC

December 31
Princes Wharf 1 “A Taste of Tasmania NYE”
Hobart, TAS

January 1
Cataract Gorge “The Basin Concert”
Launceston, TAS

January 3
Rosemount Hotel
Perth, WA

January 4
Mojos
Fremantle, WA

February 13
Aurora Spiegeltent @ The Garden Of Unearthly Delights
Adelaide, SA