INTERVIEW: We Chat To Bugs About Their New Album ‘Cooties’, The Bands Growth And Their Fave Things About Brissy!
Interview by Darcy Goss
Today rambunctious Brissy boys, Bugs, have released their highly-anticipated third album ‘Cooties’ to a slew of music hungry fans.
A band for everybody, Bugs are quickly becoming a staple in Australia’s music scene with their heartfelt, honest and relatable brand of pop rock that seeps into your cootie-filled earholes and leaves you wanting more.
After a whirlwind couple of years, filled with touring, recording and juggling their everyday lives the trio knuckled down to produce arguably the best Bugs record to date as they launch into the next era of their careers. Filled with their signature anthemic chorus’, catchy hooks and infectiously happy pop tones, ‘Cooties’ encompasses all of Bugs hard work and growth across the last seven years into one record - the band is ready now more than ever for world-wide domination .
We were lucky enough to have a chat with lead-singer and all round legend Connor Booker all about the new record, the bands growth, who has the most Cooties and his fave things about Brissy!
Hey legends! Thanks so much for chatting with us, what’s been going on in your lives?
It’s been a big few weeks, Jordan has a new full time job landscaping, Brock is recording Beddy Rays new album after copping the flood a few weeks ago and I’m trying to juggle career transition and learning animation/design to help our release so our minds are kind of everywhere at the moment. Having weekly rehearsal as a commitment helps when things get hectic, as they currently are.
First things first, for the people that live under a rock, how would you describe your music in 4 words?
Fun, energetic and bright guitar-based sing alongs with anthemic hooks + introspective themes. We have a wide range of genre influences so have worked hard together to hone our own identity and unique sonic existence.
Now, you’ve just released your new album ‘Cooties’ today, talk to us about it! What does the album mean to you guys and what do you want fans to take away from it?
It means the culmination of 3 years work and a whole lot of memories, sacrifices and love. We’re so proud of the finished product, and think it’s our best batch of songs to date. If people come away from listening to the record with a smile on their face, or potentially feeling less alone in their struggles, then that’s all we can really hope for as a band. We want people to make a connection with the songs, to evoke a feeling that makes them want to scream the words at the top of their lungs.
What track off the album is your favourite and why?
Probably Alone Again for the powerful sentiment touched on in my previous answer - it’s relatable, it’s not trying to over-intellectualise the situation. It’s catchy, and it’s fun. Plus we snuck in a sample of galloping horses looooool
This marks your third album release, how has your writing and recording process changed and grown since the release of your earlier tracks?
It’s weird - I think we’ve simultaneously learnt to take it more seriously whilst also removing the element of pressure. They can feel like they’re mutually exclusive at times, but in reality we’re mostly an independent band so we steer our own course and set our own timelines. Our drummer Brock has recorded all of our LPs, and with time & experience his skill as an engineer has grown significantly - so we’ve benefitted from his personal growth. We’re really proud of how far he’s come and excited by where he will continue to go. He’s a gun.
Who has the most Cooties?
Probably me, I’m the least fit so I get run down more often lmao - the other two guys are generally really good to their bodies (when not on tour 😛) and I’m lazy so my COOTIE-MUNITY is low as fuuuck at the moment.
Now as we are a Brissy publication and you’re all fellow brown snake residents, it’s only fitting we do a few quick fire questions about our beloved city.
Favourite venue: (Defunct) TRAINSPOTTERS!!!
Favourite record store: Sonic Sherpa
Best place to grab coffee: Scout or Felix
Favourite up-and-coming Brisbane act: Dusty
One reason why Brisbane is the best city in Aus: CHRIS FAGAN
Stream ‘Cooties’ now and catch Bugs on their 17 date Australian tour kicking off in Newcastle on April 22nd
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