Australia has a harsh climate that breeds hardy folk, and if you need clarification just look at the bands they produce: AC/DC, Rose Tattoo, Hard-Ons, Airbourne, Due Rats…no nonsense, meat-and-potatoes bands who tell it exactly like it is. Well, now you can add Scandal Tree to that illustrious list, a collective who formed in 2019 and work out of Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Throughout the inevitable line-up changes, the band have kept on rocking, colouring the Australian music scene with their unique shades. Now it seems that the rest of the world is ready to get hip to their charms, so we sat down with the band for an exclusive chat.

Can you tell us about the band’s origins. Where did you meet etc.

Scandal Tree started in 2019 with founding member Dano aka Rip after a previous project fell through. Dano saw an opportunity to create something different and truly unique and put out a call for like-minded musicians. In a few months the band had its first line-up. The rest of us had our own projects which either we fell through or moved out of.

What are the musical influences of each band member and how do you forge them into a cohesive whole?

Everyone in the group has their own story around the type of music they listened to growing up. Broadly speaking Dano loves his hair-metal and 90’s alt rock, Grant and Pete dig on their classic rock, while Joe, who’s the youngest, loves the 60’s and British invasion.

[Huck] Personally I have my rebellious punk roots nowadays I’m always on the lookout for new bands and musical ideas.

I think we get our stuff to work because we work on the songs. We aren’t trying to chase a ‘sound’, we just make our own using musical knowledge and background. I think we all get a surprise, usually a nice one, when a song gets finished.

Can you tell us about your local music scene. Is it supportive? Are there many places to play?

The scene – other musicians and punters are very supportive. There is a big market out there for home-grown music but the lack of venues willing to take risks is disappointing. We love and appreciate the ones who do! We love you!

The business model needs to change so musicians can learn their trade and people can get live music in closer to their home. If venues are going off socials stats and ticket sales for local bands to determine how many beers they’ll pour then they’re not building a venue or scene are they? People don’t usually buy tickets online so they can go to their mate’s gig. They stand in line and hopefully bring cash.

I get it… running business means exposure to risk. But the whole online ticket sale risk assessment thing short-term thinking. And a business based on short-term strategies is usually exploitative or short lived. Simply said, band’s can’t build crowds if venues don’t build scenes.

What’s the best and worst thing about your local scene?

The best thing is the support from those amazing people who transcend that shitty half-life of “Netflix and chill” and who come out, embrace their spirit animal watch us wanker-musicians give it a bloody-good crack. We love you also!

The downside are the parasites out to exploit musicians. AC/DC wrote a song about them which probs sums it up better than we can

Can you tell us about the band’s discography (demos, singles, albums).

We started in 2020 with a single release of Scandal Tree, a song written and sung by Dano before the eventual release of a self -titled EP called Scandal Tree which is a bit raw and dirty. It had vocals from a number of members in the band.

We put out Layin’ Down Your Cards EP in 2022 and the BWS single also. They have a very cool and gritty rock vibe.

Then there was a bit of a gap until Huck joined and we decided to record an album. Our first single was Tooth Fairy which is about addiction – a Tooth Fairy addicted to milk teeth. We dropped our album, ‘Never Look a Gift Foot in the Mouth’ and released three more singles from it Ava Don’t Cry, Skin in the Game and Twenty-O-Six. All the singles have super-amazing videos you should check out. All the videos are done in-house and DIY.

How do you feel you’ve evolved musically throughout your career?

I’d say its subtle changes over the years as we grow and explore new musical avenues. As we’ve gained experience, matured and had new additions and changes to the band in time, we have seen the Scandal Tree music machine develop from strength to strength.

Can you tell us about tours you’ve completed. Any war stories you’d like to share?

Come on… we all know that happens on tour stays on tour.

Will we see you on the road anytime soon?

Yes, we’re hitting the road in 2027. We’ll be looking for venues, spots and couches to sleep on. Please get in touch if you want us to come to your town!

What’s next for the band? How do you plan to reach the next level?

We’ve getting songs together for a follow up album. Our “next level” is consolidating the interest we’ve been getting and share our music further afield. We’re really proud of ‘Never Look a Gift Foot in the Mouth’. It’s a solid album from start to finish. Now we are a little more seasoned the next should be even better.

Finally, what’s the one question (and answer) interviewers never ask but you wish they would?

[Huck] No one’s ever asked about me about snogging Dani Minogue, if I can ride a horse or about the snakes in our videos. Answer: One bit me, one squeezed me and yes.