Stuck in the “Grot”
I caught up with Sydney band Great Job! Ahead of their gig in Sydney with The Smith Street Band and the release of their brand new single “Grot”
“Depression isn’t romantic, it’s gross. You can’t get out of bed, can’t clean yourself, can’t save yourself from this cycle of neglect and grime. I wanted to sing about the spectre of depression to me, not a sleek black dog but an oozing, scabby, piss-soaked swamp creature trying to drag you back into the dusty, lightless room of a depressive episode. It sounds grungy, both noisy and lethargic, bringing that energy of self-destruction and scum. It’s one I wrote in an afternoon and we jammed out the next day; it came together very easily. Every grotty thing I describe in the song has been true at points in my life. It did go through some rewrites after we realised I’d accidentally stolen the hook from 5SOS, but I don’t think they would dare to sing about pissing the bed.” - Great Job!
Hey Great Job, How are you today?
GJ: I’m good! Seeing Weird Al tonight, so that’s today's plan
Who do we have today chatting with us?
GJ: Hello I’m Charlie, Lead singer/guitarist of Great Job! Don’t forget the exclamation mark
I hear you're performing with The Smith Street Band in a few weeks when this interview will be out! How did that come to happen?
GJ: That’s actually a funny story. I mean, they probably got us on because I sent them a really nice email asking to play with them, but I’ve met Wil once or twice. A couple of years ago I interviewed him for a school assignment. I had decided to do the assignment on Aussie Punk Music and the Smithies have been my favourite band since forever so I sent him an email and we met up. So maybe he remembers me and I've been networking this show since I was 16.
With the release of Grot coming up, What do you have planned?
GJ: We’ve got a headline show at The Vanguard in Newtown on April the 14th. We’ll be playing with some longtime friends in Billy Puntton, Sl8erboy, and Hugs. We’ve also got some new merch coming.
What is the song Grot about?
GJ: Grot is about waking up at 11am on a Tuesday and not getting out of bed until 3. It’s about being depressed, gross, and ugly, being well aware of the fact but not being able to do anything about it.
What were you listening to when writing Grot?
GJ: There’s this band from the US called ADULTS. They’re not super popular but I love them. Also Jeff Rosenstock and all his projects as well as discovering Sorority Noise. Oh also the first draft of this song accidentally ripped off 5SOS so them as well apparently haha.
What are the future plans for Great Job!?
GJ: Make more music, play more shows. Hopefully we’ll keep on landing these awesome support gigs so more people can hear us and watch us. Keep growing y’know? We’ve also got a couple more singles to release this year… oo
Any last words for the readers at SUBCULTURE?
GJ: Come see our show on the 14th andd go drink some water !
