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Sick Puppies’ karmic rise from down under
Topics: Sick Puppies, Australia, Bakotopia, Bakersfield, Bakotunes, February, 2008, interview, Shimon Moore, Emma Anzai, Mark Goodwin, blog
Posted by matt Tue Feb 12, 2008 15:31:28 PST
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<<<Listen to interview with Puppies' Shimon Moore!

Sick Puppies’ karmic rise from down under
Interview with Shimon Moore of Australia's Sick Puppies, appearing live at The Zone 2/23!

By Matt Muñoz, Bakotopia.com Editor

These Sick Puppies need a hug.

Not that they’re suffering from a disappointing musical career, this Aussie rock trio is all about the power of contact between fan and music.

Not since the days of INXS and Men At Work in the ‘80s and ‘90s has a band from down under made a crossover splash like the Puppies – who’ve been making music together since 1997 at the ages of 15.

Making a tourstop at The Zone (inside Golden State Mall,) in Bakersfield, on Saturday, February 23rd, 2008 Sick Puppies’ Shimon Moore - guitar, Emma Anzai – bass, and Mark Goodwin – drums are not taking their current fame for granted.



For fans of viral internet videos, chances are you may already know the band – whose song “All The Same,” was the soundtrack for a touching video tribute for friend Juan Mann who had become a permanent resident of Sydney’s downtown culture. Mann could be found on any given day offering free hugs to passersby.

After the band had befriended Mann, they’d heard the gentle embracer had lost his grandmother. To help ease his sadness, Sick Puppies’ Moore decided to make a video for Mann, to hopefully bring his spirits up. The result was a touching tribute, and helped launch the Puppies careers into high-gear.

What can only be described as “karmic,” Sick Puppies have become regulars to MTV and the Fuse music network, and now headline their first tour of the states.

In between rehearsal, Puppies’ member Shimon Moore, spoke to Bakotopia about the differences between touring Australia and the US, Bakersfield fans, and of course…hugs.


Shimon Moore

Do you enjoy touring the states?

Yeah man, this is where it’s at. I mean, we’ve toured Australia, and Australia’s a funny thing, because there are literally 8-12 hours driving between every major city. It’s the way the country is spread out. So, to go on tour it takes like a month to go all around the country, because there’s only like 5 major cities and that’s it, whereas here you’ve got a major city every 2-3 hours – so you just keep going.


Emma Anzai

The band has been hammering it out since 1997 - how was the journey to the majors since you started in high school?

We’ve been doing it since we were 15. We’ve been really lucky to keep it together, because some bands – they let things get in the way. We’re just getting started and really looking forward to the next few years as this thing develops.

In terms of the majors, I wouldn’t say that we’ve graduated yet. We’re definitely not of that mindset. We’re still kind of studying for the exam.

If we sell out the shows, I can write home and say, “Guess what? We sold our first US tour!” That would be the greatest thing that I could ask for, because that means you’re relevant – that people actually care what you do and are coming out just to see you.

The journey has been long, and difficult, and a great learning experience.



Being from Sydney, Australia I'm sure you are more than aware of the musical history Australia is known for - INXS, AC/DC, Silverchair, and Men at Work from the '80s. Do you feel like you're leading the next big wave of Aussie rock to crossover into the states?

I don’t think any band that does that plans to do that. I mean, we wanna take over the world and everything, but it’s not about pioneering a movement. It’s all about being the best band you can be. We just wanna keep developing the sound of the band.

Maybe along the way people will start listening to more Australian music as a result of us being from Australia, but that’s what we think about most.


Mark Goodwin

The original video for 'All The Same' features the story of Juan Mann, the "Free Hugs" guy. Did you ever think it would take off the way it did?

I didn’t think it would take off the way it did. I remember sitting down in front of my computer, and saying, “You know, my friend’s grandmother died, I wanna make this thing, I know I’ve got a couple days free in between recording, so I can put this thing together – I can do it in a night.

I sat down and it just started happening in front of my eyes. I put a piece of footage over the song, and it would just work, and I’d move a couple of pieces around and it would start to tell this story. I didn’t plan to tell a story, I was just gonna make a little photo gallery – and then it just started moving me.

It was making itself in front of me, and I started realizing that something really special was happening. I didn’t think that this was going to be something that millions of people are going to watch – I just thought it was something really special.

I guess I was supposed to make that video at that particular moment.

You think it was good karma for cheering Juan up after his family loss?

Everything comes full-circle, so making the video for a cause like that, and then having it turn into something that gave back to the band and myself ten million times over was incredible.

There are so many bands, and it takes them 5 or 10 years to breakthrough and start being able to make a living…

There was someone that said, eventually you get to a point that you’ve written so many songs and done so much work where God, the universe, or whoever you believe in finally takes a second out of his day, and says, “You know, you’ve worked hard enough – here’s a little nugget you can take and actually build a life.”

It’s this thing that’s going to resonate, and finally push you through all of the work that you’ve done – it’s bigger than you, something you can’t do by yourself.

So yes, I think karma definitely came into play on that particular evening.

You recently performed acoustically in Bakersfield at Guitar Center on February 7th, and now return on Feb. 23rd.

That was sick. It was great that so many people came out. It was a really great way to start the year. We’d been away for a month, so it was great to see everyone there.

The fact that they came out, shows they care about the music.



What will your electric set be like?

We got newer songs, we’ll play a couple old songs, and new things so the audience can feel a part of the show.  It’s just going to be as loud as it can be – a big, mean, sweaty rock show. I just want everyone to go home and talk about it.

We’re telling everyone this is our first headlining tour of the states, and  telling everyone they gotta come out and sell out these shows – tell your friends, tell your parents, tell your dog, everyone’s gotta come!

On the web:

Sick Puppies LIVE!
With special guests Saving Abel, Dropping Daylight, Meditated Assault, Fading Out Silence
-Saturday, February 23rd
-The Zone (inside Golden State Mall, 3201 F. St.)
-5pm doors / All Ages / $10 tickets
-www.timgardeapresents.com

Originally printed in Bakotopia magazine, issue 22, 2-21-08
 

 

 

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Comment From: thenovelist

I'd never heard of this band until all the media hoopla in Bakersfield. I hear about them on the radio every morning. I can practically recite where they're going to be when they come to town, and I have even read this article and still haven't listened to one song of theirs. I guess I will now. I sorta have to... Great article! - n.l. P.S., Don't forget about that other old Aussie band: The Church! Comment From: bakotunes

OH! How could I have forgotten The Church? Of course...and Midnight Oil, and Living End! Thanks Nicholas Nicholby Belardes! Comment From: StrawDog

Speaking of Aussie bands, what about (and here's where I date myself) The Little River Band? Ah, those wonderful harmonies - yeGods. Jim Robinson ala Straw Dog