Perth band Gyroscope recently announced their first studio recordings since 2010, with the release of their double A-side single, ‘Crooked Thought’ / ‘DABS’ which is currently out now. This is the first studio recordings since their fourth album ‘Cohesion’ which debuted at #3 on the ARIA charts back in 2010, we caught up with drummer Rob Nassif to get the lowdown on the new recording, the upcoming Australia tour and more.
It’s been quite some time between new music for Perth band Gyroscope who enjoyed a series of success on the previous releases with ‘Cohesion’ charting at 3rd spot on the ARIA charts which followed the chart topping album ‘Breed Obsession’. For anyone who follows the local Aussie scene and for fans of Gyroscope, the band suffered a huge setback when guitarist Zoran Trivic was involved in a horrific accident a few years back which ultimately led to a lengthy gap before this latest release.
“It was definitely one of the reasons”, Rob explains. “As you know Zok had a pretty serious accident where he broke both legs. He then had a lengthy rehabilitation ahead of him. At the same time I decided to relocate to New York City for a year, which ended up being 2 years. In that time both Brad and Dan had kids…So it was more a case of life getting in the way. We still played shows here and there but its only now we have had the time to write and record a bunch of songs”
How did you approach the recording this time around and what were some of the things you wanted to achieve?
Rob: We really just wanted it to be as natural as possible. Rather than writing songs at home and bringing them in. We just jammed out the new songs in the rehearsal room as a band, relying on the feeling we all got from the songs when we wrote and played them for the first time. Crooked Thought was written on the spot from a jam we were having whilst getting ready. It came together really quickly.
The last 2 albums “Cohesion” and “Breed Obsesion” was well received, hitting high on the charts. Did you feel any kind of pressure or apprehension about the next recording?
Rob: Not at all actually. Those albums debuted at #1 and #3 respectively and we could have never dreamed of that in the beginning. So for us it was just about having fun. Remembering how great it felt to hang out with your buddies in the jam room and be creative. Dabs was the first new song we had written together in 6 years. It came together in 30 minutes and we were all just blown away. It was like….Alright. We can still do this! The chemistry was stronger than ever.
Now with a tour coming up early next year, it looks like things are rolling for Gyroscope again. After this single and the tour, what will be the plan after that? Will a full length album be in the cards at some stage?
Rob: We are doing some more recording in Jan with more material to be released in the 1st half of 2018. So stay tuned.
What can fans expect on this tour?
Rob: Classic Gyro really. Energy, mayhem…sing alongs. Its just so much fun to get back over to the east coast and to play for everyone again. It’s been too long. Our fans are so loyal and so passionate about what we do. We are extremely fortunate.
For people that may not have seen Gyroscope live before, what does a live show entail when seeing Gyroscope live?
Rob: We’ve always let the music influence our playing live and fortunately for us the music is quite often aggressive…energetic and upbeats. Which means you can expect 4 sweaty dudes flying around the stage giving their all. I can’t wait to play these new songs live.
It’s 20 years since the formation of Gyroscope (feel free to correct us on that), What keeps Gyroscope going after all these years?
Rob: That’s correct. 20 years. Amazing!!! Honestly I think it’s just a genuine joy of playing music and being a musician. Even with Gyro going slow the past 7 years we have all still kept playing in various bands and projects. We love being musicians and we also respect the fact that the 4 of us have a special bond and chemistry with each other. We want to honour that and keep creating whenever we can. This band has played a major part in all of our lives and its so much fun.
What does the band Gyroscope mean to you as an entity? The success of the band has grown tremendously since starting many years ago, has the idea of the band changed in any way over time?
Rob: So much of who we are as individuals is wrapped up in what we have accomplished in this band. I think it’s worth remembering that we started this band when we were 16. We only did our first east coast tour at the age of 22. So there was a long time of slogging it out before we started building and gaining a fanbase. I think that has really allowed us to savour the journey. Each and every step of the way. The band and what it means to all of us has changed over time but I really feel it still plays a very important part in all of our lives, even today some 20 years on.
What kind of influences helped shape your sound and style of playing? Was there a particular artist, group or musician that inspired you to be in a band?
Rob: For me personally it was the Smashing Pumpkins and watching Jimmy Chamberlin on drums. The energy of the music spoke to me as a 14 year old. From then on I was a music obsessive. Fortunately the other guys in the band were all just as crazy about music as I was.
What is your take on the Perth music scene right now and how has it changed over the years from your perspective?
Rob: I think it’s in a really healthy spot actually. I have a bit of an inside view through my rehearsal studios and it’s been great to see the progression of bands like Tired Lion and Rag n’ Bone. We have The Faim about to do some massive things globally so I’m hoping we can have another bubble of awesome Perth bands take their music to the rest of the world.
What makes the Perth music scene different to the east coast? Is there much difference in the crowds?
Rob: Well we have people coming to our shows that have been there for the past 20 years. Its also lots of freinds and family which always makes the gig feel a little special. Overall though our fans are just awesome right around the country. They always bring the energy!
The tour kicks off in Brisbane on January 10th and is set to end in their hometown in Perth on January 19th and Rob couldn’t be more excited as he leaves us with a few last words.
“I think we are more excited to play for all the fans than the fans are to see us. Honestly we will be ready to put on some of the best shows of our careers on this tour. Come down, lets hang out and lets drink a beer or two.”
National Tour Dates
with support from Horror My Friend
Date: Wed 10th Jan
Venue: Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane
Local support: Crum | Tickets
Date: Thur 11th Jan
Venue: The Corner, Melbourne
Local support: Sweet Gold | Tickets
Date: Fri 12th Jan
Venue: Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
Local support: Hatakaze | Tickets
Date: Sat 13th Jan
Venue: The Gov, Adelaide
Local support: The Best Extras | Tickets
Date: Fri 19th Jan
Venue: The Rosemount, Perth
Local support: The Faim | Tickets
