The party is actually somewhat of a housewarming, most likely to celebrate the Brisbane quartet's recent relocation to our town. Further celebrations may have something to do with the success of their latest single J55, a bright, swinging rock number with a charming vocal overlay. Not only has the song achieved high rotation on Triple J, but the need for a second pressing of Walk It Like You Talk It has delighted the independent band no end. Speaking frankly, Paul explains that the main aim for Webster has involved "the search for a good tune". They focus on songs and hooks, and the actual lyrical story telling really, no conveyance. "It's more the feel and the sound of the words" he states, revealing that the same goes for the single. "I think we were struggling for a title and it was a place where we used to practise; at Johnno's house at 55. Yeah it's pretty cryptic, it doesn't mean alot, but the lyrics don't mean alot either so they're pretty confusing too" he laughs.
The resettling comes after four years of performing around the traps in Queensland. "Brisbane is alright but you can't play there every week, week in and week out, because people have seen you. We weren't getting the tours at that stage, so we thought "lets just go and play down here and really try and saturate Melbourne" Paul says. "Then do our two monthly shown up there, which is good". Webster also see the live scene as much more important to a band's reputation than the recording project, "You can have a really good recording and be a boring live band, and you come off as being a boring band. If you have an okay recording, and are really important in the long run". But with the touring comes the surprise shows, and Paul recounts Webster's most terrifying gig; "We had a bit of a rough trot in Newcastle with these straight edge dudes. You know 'Brisbane faggots, go home to Brisbane you faggots', and we played about a ten minute set and we got off in fear. Then the guys were going 'should we blue them, should we blue these guys?', but we reversed the van up to the gates and got escorted out by one of the bouncers! Hopefully we won't be copping too much of that."
Webster are set to focus on gigging for the near future, though an album may be in wings one day, "I think we could [do an album} but we're not in a hurry. We just don't want to do it the wrong way, we don't want a rushed thing. You only really get one shot at it" Paul verifies. So up first is a national tour with The Superjesus, where Webster have got a heavy schedule. "It's not too bad actually because you're just travelling small distances like to Melbourne on the next night. The good thing about going on a big tour is that distance factor. Like Sydney to Coffs to Byron". But for now, all the boys have to concentrate on is getting through this evening's festivities.
Louisa Williams
(Beat: Edition #564, Wed 13th August - Tue 17th August.)