A true urban wilderness, Melbourne is a fascinating geographical contradiction. Thoroughly energetic and cosmopolitan in its centre, yet – like so many places in the vastness of Australia – considerably isolated. Pleasingly, it also exudes characteristics that so many in the UK will be familiar with: kicking back, enjoying oneself and mild hedonism.
Offering the perfect soundtrack to such activities are Midnight Juggernauts. Full of swirling, proggy synths and cosmic references, the Juggernauts’ sound is one of space-disco synthpop performed with an indie-rock ethos, courtesy of guitars and live beats accompanying the plentiful electronics. And though there are clearly a cornucopia of synth-driven acts currently doing the rounds, the Juggernauts – consisting of Vincent Vendetta, Andrew Szekeras and Daniel Stricker – have a definite edge on the scene, proven by a repertoire that extends beyond just catchy keyboard lines, as the band explain: “We’re always evolving in new directions. I suppose we’re a rock band but we’re not really purists, so are happy to play with synths and pedals and other toys to create music which moves people. We’ve always had a darker edge but at the same time we’ve always liked pop music and are happy for our music to connect with people.”
And connect it does, with their music coming across like a delightful modern-day tripped-out ELO, all galaxial synth progressions and harmonies laced with killer pop hooks. And as well as the considerable list of musical inspirations (Phillip Glass, Van Halen, Holy Fuck, Slayer, David Bowie, Goblin and Scott Walker are just some of the names reeled off by the band), the Juggernauts’ hometown also appears to have been a healthy and creative influence, with the city’s laid-back attitude helping local bands to thrive: “Melbourne has a really strong music scene. Because of relaxed licensing laws there’s always been lots of bars and lots of live music venues, which means a lot of live bands. It probably goes back to the late ’70s when Nick Cave and all these punk bands were playing these dodgy venues, and there’s still a long list of emerging acts.”
Indeed, as well as the Juggernauts themselves, Melbourne has also recently spawned two other accomplished electronic outfits in the forms of Cut Copy (“We’ve always been friends with Cut Copy so it was good to see them doing good things overseas,” say the Juggernauts of their fellow Melbournians) and The Avalanches. There is also a healthy rock and indie scene, with bands such as Children Collide and The Temper Trap (the drummer of whom used to play occasionally for MJ) making a name for themselves. Is it surprising that such an isolated city has created such a vibrant scene? Not really, claim the Juggernauts. In fact, Australia as a whole is a fine place for exploring arts and music of all kinds, with a slew of highly respected movies and bands emerging from the country in recent years. “I think the arts scene is pretty healthy in Australia,” say the Juggernauts, “partly due to the easy cost of living, so artists can spend more time working in creative fields rather than getting rent together on time.”
And wherever artists are to be found, so too will there be bars and general partying establishments close by, of which there are many in Melbourne. Vincent names Troika, Cyclo, The Lithuanian club and Double Happiness as some of the places he and the band visit. And should you be seeking something more relaxed, there are parks and gardens galore, as well as cultural festivals celebrating wine, food and film – the latter of which includes the sublimely acronymed Melbourne Underground Film Festival.
As with any big city worth its salt, Melbourne also has a Chinatown – an essential component of the city’s social vibrancy and cultural diversity, and an area which holds a particular sentimental significance for the Juggernauts: “This is the area where we played our first ever shows. There are also so many hidden laneways in Melbourne which are filled with secret bars and hideaways. It can be fun for people to go explore.”
Not that the band have been enjoying too much Melbournian mischief of late, as they are currently holed-up in the studio, recording the follow-up to hugely well-received debut album ‘Dystopia’. The new record will explore some new angles, as well as building upon their already distinctive sound, the band tell me: “Our new album is more live, and has a lot more crazy old-school synths and harmonies.” And despite crises such as the onset of a pig-fever pandemic, global financial meltdown and Richard Littlejohn remaining in paid employment, the band’s new record will thankfully project some much-needed good vibrations: “Despite what may be going on in the world at the moment, we’re in good moods, so that positive energy will probably come through the mixing desk as well.”
Whatever its mood, the Juggernauts’ new album looks set to be one of many more to come, with the band attesting to being an outfit that feed off writing songs, naturally putting their all into the creative process to the point where it engulfs anything else going on. A healthy and rewarding obsession, as Vincent admits: “I’ve always loved creating music first and foremost. It’s so direct and I usually end up staying up until 4am each night just putting songs together. When you’re inspired, this limitless energy comes from somewhere and it can be quite frustrating when you see the sun come up and you realise you should probably go to bed.”
Words by Tristan Parker
Twenty-four hours in Melbourne
“I’d probably start in the city and then catch a train to a beachside suburb called Williamstown – which has a maritime fishing village vibe – for some fish and chips. Then I’d catch a ferry across the bay to St. Kilda, which is another beachside area. I’d probably catch a free band at the Esplanade Hotel and then head back into town. We have a friend who runs a night at a venue called The Toff In Town, so we’d probably go there, and if the weather was good then we’d head to the rooftop and see what’s screening at the rooftop cinema. Then I’d go back to Chinatown, get a cocktail and watch Korean students do bad karaoke until late.”
Middle of nowhere
“Melbourne is one of the most isolated cities you could imagine. I think Jerry Seinfeld started his final stand-up tour there because he thought it was the end of the Earth. Also, they filmed On The Beach there in the ’50s, which was a Hollywood film staring Fred Astaire, Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner, etc, who all escape to live in Melbourne after a nuclear holocaust, which is understandable. Of course, we have the Internet these days so music scenes and communities are now all connected. Still, that location separation brings some strange idiosyncratic differences to much of the music which forms out here.”
Gig venues
“There’s lots of dingy music venues in the city which end up having a large house party vibe, which can be fun. I think our first ever show in Melbourne was at this bar called Ding Dong Lounge, which is a dark firetrap of a venue, but I had fun nights there. Our last Melbourne show was at The Forum, which is this cool gothic theatre fitted with gargoyles. The Esplanade Hotel is a pub in the bayside suburb of St. Kilda that hosts free bands throughout the week. This is also one of the first venues we’d ever played. Some great bands have played here, as well as many not-so-great bands.”
Clash’s A to Z of Melbourne
ARCHITECTURE IN HELSINKI
Line-up changing alt. pop band, mildly reminiscent of The Go! Team.
AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL
Rugby + soccer + legalised violence = Aussie rules footy.
THE AVALANCHES
Sample-splicing outfit who found the limelight with the inspired ‘Frontier Psychiatrist’ in 2001.
BRUNSWICK ST, FITZROY
“The traditional, arty bohemian part of Melbourne, but it’s become a little more gentrified. There’s still lots of galleries and good places to eat. Whenever vegetarian friends come to town I’ll usually take them to vegebar, which do a pretty good burrito.”
CHILDREN COLLIDE
Energetic indie-rock outfit with a hint of grunge.
MARK ‘CHOPPER’ READ
Subject of cult flick Chopper. Melbournian psycho-turned-celebrity who’s spent a lot of time in the nick. Used to do a nice line in toe-cutting as well.
CUT COPY
Synthpop band with a similar vibe to the Juggernauts, who they’ve also remixed.
FERRIES
“My favourite ferry is the John Batman, named after an early settler. They almost named Melbourne Batmania, which would have been amazing.”
MELBOURNE EYE
“A giant ferris wheel, similar to the London Eye, constructed in the docklands of Melbourne lat year. Only open for a month before they noticed cracks appearing and closed it. Now it’s just this giant eyesore waiting to turn once again.”
THE TEMPER TRAP
Popularity-gaining four-piece, who veer between melodic indie and garage rock.
THE WEST MELBOURNE RAILYARDS
“This is a part of Melbourne where I lived for three years and on its edge is a long, wide area of railyard, which leads into an industrial nomans’ land. It’s k
