Amyl And The Sniffers are your new favourite band.
If you don’t know about Amyl and The Sniffers then let me tell you what you need to know.
- I saw them live in a dive bar and Amyl literally climbed over the crowd and up into the lighting rig and everyone held their breath but simultaneously screamed as she scrabbled about. She was wearing tiny white shorts and a bra top thing and her hair looked so bleached and dried it might have caught fire just from the power of the audience’s eyes. But it was the best thing I have ever seen. It felt like I was watching Iggy Pop back in The Day.
- The first time I met them, one of them had been lost the night before and slept in a park and it was marvellous and how rock and roll should be.
- They have walked on the Gucci catwalk! Quite major.
- They are from Mullumbimby, New South Wales and kind of didn’t mean to be a band? They just started jamming. Then recorded it. Then played it live. And here we are.
- They are signed to Rough Trade, like all the best acts.
- They are possibly powered by nuclear energy.
We caught Amy aka Amyl for ten minutes to ask her some extremely probing questions.
What did you have for breakfast?
Scrambled egg and avo toast.
How many airmiles have you accrued this year? Do you know?
I’m not sure but fair bit.
What makes you angry?
Hmm too much! I gotta read self help book haha. Power struggles, the world being a fantasy scam. People mistaking their opinions for facts. People talking shit. Disrespect. Conservatives, egos, racism, sexism, time wasters, getting ripped off. I could go on, but time is fleeting so got to get some joy because lots makes me happy too.
What makes you put pen to paper and write a song?
Hearing music makes me want to the most, it gives me energy, energy makes me wanna write. And just observing things or feeling things or experiences.
Do you still have jobs or are you full time Sniffers?
We travel too much to have jobs but I pack records at Flightless Records sometimes. I like working.
What’s the biggest rock and roll myth that you guys dispel?
Where’s the schmoney!
What’s the first question you always ask?
Where’s the wifi!
What’s the best and worst stage injury you’ve had?
Tore the cartilage in my knee, that sucked. Chipped my tooth, so now cold drinks suck. Felt staunch with a black eye. I like it though.
Why do people still need punk music?
People need to be able to express themselves, and get rid of their energy. That’s what I think. Punk’s different for everyone though. Maybe we’re more rock. I think people need it to have their feelings validated and sometimes music is such a good escape, it brings people life. I always liked gigs cuz I could be around but not have to talk to anyone, just listen to music and get rid of energy.
Do you ever take a night off, and what does it look like?
Yeah, on tour we take nights off. It usually just looks like trying to wash clothes or be a human.
What’s the biggest tip you’ve got for being punk?
I think just livin’ and doing what’s right for you is punk to me, but “being punk” is pretty subjective, like to someone they might express that through fashion, to someone else it could be staunch activism, to someone else it could just be loving music. I like being reminded that punk is inclusive, I hate the punk gatekeeper cunts, even though it’s easy to be one. And look out for other people cuz punk is support, I reckon. Just fuck what other people think but treat people with respect especially if they are struggling.
What should people be aware of?
Be self aware. Don’t be a cunt. Life is a scam, so do whatever you want.
Who is your favourite punk rocker?
Cardi B! Poly Styrene. Uncle Jack Charles. Chopper Read.
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve put in your mouth?
I haven’t got off on mushy peas yet.
Who is the worst band you’ve had to listen to since you’ve been card holding members of the music industry?
Hmmm... I want to start shit but don’t need that drama.
What’s your favourite hip-hop album?
Cardi B’s Gangsta Bitch vol 2. I also love Skepta. My first record was Biggie.
What’s hard work about being in a band?
Omg so much! I’m such a whinger! Haha probably just tying to stay hydrated and that I’m gonna have tinnitus. Having too much time on my hands makes me so unstimulated, so that drives me crazy but that’s an exciting thing to fix.
And the easiest?
I love music, and the luxury of being myself and doing my job and getting to meet sick legends is the best.