Songs that burst out the stereo like Little Red’s do can’t help but sound fresh – even when they take ’50s rock and roll and doo wop as their main inspiration.
“Fuck electro” exclaims drummer Taka, pronouncing judgement on the 2009 music scene. “All electro bands suck.” It’s not that surprising to hear, given the Melbourne five-piece’s harmony-laden songs about drinking Coca Cola and taking girls out in their car.
But, having toured with Vampire Weekend and claiming fellow Aussies The Temper Trap as mates, they’re not as out of step with the contemporary pop world as they might seem. Recent single, ‘Waiting’, could have been written by The Beach Boys but, with its foot-stomping bass line and razor-sharp guitar licks, it sounds more like a cover by Franz Ferdinand. They’ve even given up wearing matching suits.
“We don’t just do the retro thing,” says keyboardist Tom, who assumes songwriting duties along with guitarist Dom and bassist Quang. Names like Neil Young, Nirvana and Nick Cave crop up, and Tom swears that his love of Michael Jackson hasn’t just developed since the singer’s death. “When I was sixteen I did a home stay in Japan with this woman who thought she was MJ. She wore the glove and everything.”
Not following trends is key point for Little Red. “We never try to sound like this band or that band; we just try to make something individual,” says Taka. “The worst thing is bands who pick a new group and say ‘I wanna sound like that’,” adds guitarist Adrian.
If the band have found the time to develop their own sound from its stylised beginnings, it’s due to a relentless two-year touring schedule, which even helped them win a place at Australia’s V Festival. “Richard Branson said we were the best band in Australia,” says Tom. “I don’t think he’d ever heard us though.”
It’s only just seen a UK release, but Little Red’s debut album ‘Listen To Little Red’ has been out in Australia for over a year, and the group are already getting ready to record a follow up. Veteran producer Stephen Street (Blur, Morrissey) has even expressed interest, and could probably help ease the transition to a more indie-influenced style of writing.
“We couldn’t make the same album again,” explains Dom. “We were already in a state of change when we recorded the first album. We want to go deeper lyrically and we’re not in such a rush to get through each song.” But fans needn’t worry about Little Red losing their signature harmonies (all of the band sing except for Taka). “We just love singing,” says Dom. “This is an exclusive,” announces Tom. “We’re keeping all the harmonies.”
Words by Steve Harris
Fact box
Where: Melbourne
What: Indie doo wop
Unique Fact: They once appeared on an episode of Neighbours as part of the show’s attempt to modernise
Get 3 songs: ‘It’s Alright’, ‘Witchdoctor’, ‘Coca-Cola’
