Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Sam Hunn: guitar, vocals, songwriting and arrangement
Will Colvin: drums, arrangement
Carlos Pashev: bass
Will Scutt: guitar
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Verticoli? How long has the band been around?
I was a member of a couple of short-lived death metal bands in high school. I took a short break from music after finishing school before getting a huge urge to play again. I think the break was a good thing. Carlos has played with most Tassie bands in existence, Dark Matter of Storytelling, The Lawless Quartet and Ben Wells The Middle Names, to name a few. Scutty also plays with local math/prog-rock legends Rhino. We snared Colvin from the sexy world of jazz, blues and cover bands.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
The origin of the name is shrouded in mystery and a love for shitty comedy films. The band initially had some pretty crude names, but we’ve been Verticoli as long as we’ve been a gigging band.
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?
I guess I write most of the songs these days, although Colvin plays a significant part in arrangement of the songs. Our original bass player, my brother James Hunn, helped with the song-writing early on in the piece, but he's moved onto to a career in law now. That being said, we're lucky enough to have him jumping back on the bass for the upcoming tour while Carl is off in Asia getting the runs!
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
It’s constantly changing really. At The Drive-in had a bit of an influence on the song Happiness, Astronaut a little bit of Karnivool maybe. One of the guitar parts in Astronaut was actually written with Scutty in mind before he was in the band. Bands with interesting drums excite me. What Australian bands are inspiring? Grenadiers, Captives, Born Lion, they're all really cool.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
I was embarrassingly motivated to pick up the guitar for the first time due to a love The Offspring. Jimi Hendrix really got me into music. As far as looking at music from a more holistic point of view it would be Pearl Jam or the Chili Peppers.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, etc. …
Tai Chi and chocolate cake.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
Playing at the Falls Festival Marion bay last year. That was tits.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Past would be The Red Hot Chili Peppers, circa 1990, that shit looked like a lot of fun. Present? Karnivool.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Music is a lot of fun. Managing your own band sucks. Someone manage us.