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WELCOME TO TOFOGSWORLD!
Home of the Unofficial Thirty Odd Foot of Grunts Fan Site
Exclusive Online Interviews
I now have my second exclusive online interview with David Wilkins (backing vocals and guitar)! Enjoy! If you still haven't read the first interview with Garth Adam, scroll down after David's and find out what he had to say.
This is the newest addition to the TOFOGSWORLD site and I am very happy to share with everyone our first online interview with bassist Garth Adam. He was kind enough to take time out of his hectic schedule to answer a few questions for all of you anxiously awaiting Grunt fans out there in cyber space. I do ask that this is or any future interviews are not taken and posted elsewhere on the internet. Fellow Grunt fans like myself worked diligently in obtaining this info for you. We all would appreciate it if you can refer others here to read the interview in it's entirety.
I personally want to thank fellow fans that I have met on a wonderful International Russell Crowe Mail List (you all know who you are!) that have contributed to the questions that were submitted, but most of all to Mr. Garth Adam and David Wilkins! You truly are committed to making every one of us content TOFOG fans! On behalf of all the fans and myself who have submitted these questions, we want to extend our gratitude to you. Thank you so much for your time and effort in answering these questions, and we look forward to any new material being released by TOFOG and definitely all of us will be rushing to our nearest stores and computers to purchase whatever you have to offer!
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David Wilkins 11-24-2000
TW: Did you think that TOFOG's music would be as successful as it has been
without the internet?
DW: No I don't, but I really believe the internet is the way of the
future, in a world of tightening radio playlists the internet is a beautiful
thing for all musicmakers.
TW: Did you help write any of the songs that are on the new album "Bastard
Life or Clarity"? If so which ones?
DW: Yes I did, Russell and I wrote "The Night that Davey Hit the Train".
It's a song that has 3 different stories. It's really cool.
TW: How many songs are going on the new album?
DW: In the words of the Go Go's - our lips are sealed.
TW: How long have you personally been making music? Was this your first
career choice? Did your family approve?
DW: I've been personally making music for 2 decades (oh my God). Is that
long? My first song was written with my bestest friend, David Reynbolds from
Sydney and "Lime" (please check them out), it was called the Uranium Song,
wish I could remember how it goes. b) Yes this was my first career choice
but real life has kept interrupting and I've done every job under the sun to
survive and yes my parents have always been really cool. They are still
great about it today.
TW: What is your outlet besides music to help you cope with life's everyday
stresses?
DW: I love hanging out with my friends, driving my yellow convertible or
watching football at the pub with my mates.
TW: How did you find London in regards to the atmosphere playing last July?
Would you recommend any good clubs or bars?
DW: Well I'm biased I really love London, for some reason we have a strong
connection (previous life or something). The atmosphere at that gig was 2nd
to none, there is nothing like a small gig packed to the rafters to make you
feel good about life. You connect with everybody in the place. It's a
great feeling. In regards to clubs in London, I am the worlds biggest sheep
when I'm in a new town, if it's a club I follow the crowd otherwise I like
all the small corner pubs.
TW: What would you say is the difference between Aussie, American, or British music?
DW: It's all music to me!
TW: Does TOFOG take their music seriously to an extent of trying to get a
point across, such as political or spiritual? How about with your own music
separated from the band?
DW: TOFOG takes its music very seriously. I think Russell is one the best
lyric writers on the planet and they need to be heard. As for my own music,
my next album will be spiritual and an emotional experience to make and I
feel that will come across in the songs.
TW: What was it that attracted your attention most about joining this band?
DW: They are a bunch of great guys who play cool songs.
TW: Can you let the TOFOG fans get alittle insight of what want to get out
of the band on a professional level.
DW: I like to keep writing and performing so when the inspiration isn't
there for my own music, I like to keep busy and this is the perfect project
to go hand in hand with my own.
TW: What can TOFOG fans expect when the album "Bastard Life or Clarity" is
finally released?
DW: People can expect a great sounding album from a bunch of guys who love
playing music that finally all got together at the one time to record some
great songs.
TW: Where have your musical influences come from?
DW: I grew up on music from the beatles, the rolling stones, the faces, so I
suppose it's mainly early British music.
TW: After the success in London - any plans to go back and do some more?
DW: That's all in the lap of the Gods, I know we will be playing next year
but where and when I'm not sure.
TW: Does TOFOG plan on touring to promote the new album and if so where?
DW: Yes but refer to the previous answer.
TW: Did Russell make you cut your hair (we hope not!)? and why does he
pick on your hair so much?
DW: Jealousy is a curse and no I would only cut my hair if I wanted to
anyway (he was only joking). At least I know.
TW: Would TOFOG consider doing promo on Jay Leno or any other US talk
shows?
DW: Yes but refer the previous tour question.
TW: What music do you have in your car at the moment?
DW: An album by Bottlefly, an album by Lucinda Williams (car wheels on a
gravel road) and the new Reef album, Getaway, I love it.
TW: Will TOFOG prefer playing smaller intimate clubs/pubs or move onto
bigger venues ? If so will this detract from the relationship with fans ?
DW: I prefer smaller pub gigs, but hey it's a cool position to be in if you
have to play bigger venues - bring em on! I beleive as long as your fans
are all enjoying themselves, then everythings cool.
TW: If the band listens to other music what do you all prefer?
DW: I can only speak for myself - refer to the earlier question on the albums I have.
TW: So when can we expect to buy "Bastard Life or Clarity" as well as
the live cd(s) from Austin and the live video? And will it be available on
VHS and or DVD?
DW: All I can say is keep posted to the website but it's very very close now
and yes all formats will be covered. I'm hanging out to see that footage
also, it should be a riot.
TW: How come we don't see more lyrics from other members [mainly RC and
Dean]?
DW: None of the other members can read or write so it's probably a good
thing.
TW: Will Dave start writing more songs and lyrics for TOFOG? Will we hear
any on Bastard Life?
DW: I might write a bit more music if the opportunity comes up, but I much
rather the person who is singing the song to write the lyrics as its much
better delivery if you connect with the lyric.
TW: Austin was obviously an INCREDIBLE time for me, as it was for a lot of
TOFOG fans. Honestly, was it as much fun for you guys was it was for us?
DW: A very big yes, it was a time we will all look back on with the
greatest memories. Thank you for being there and sharing it with us.
TW: Who thought up the name for UTOPIAN BABIES? I thought that was such a
clever name! (Really!)
DW: I did, I love the whole feel of Utopia. Thanks, I think its cool.
TW: If you could rename TOFOG, what band name would you give yourselves?
DW: The global surfers.
TW: What artist or band would you say influenced you the most?
DW: Rolling stones, The Beatles, The Faces, mostly British music.
TW: When did you start playing the guitar?
DW: When I was about 9 or 10 ( I don't think I've improved to much since
then now I think about it)
TW: Desert Island Disc question: What 5 albums could you not live
without?
DW: Rolling Stones - Tattoo You, Beatles - Abbey Road, AC/DC - Highway to
Hell (for when I want to rock), Lucinda Williams - Car Wheels on a Gravel
Road, Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run. (That all changes daily by the way)
TW: Do you prefer playing to audiences in the US or in Oz? Honestly.
DW: Honestly - I just love being on stage so as long as the audience doesn't
throw anything at me, I just love every audience.
TW: What is your favorite food?
DW: Kookaroo Chicken, Its so great I hope I spelt it right. I also love
Thai food and the good old aussie b'cue.
TW: VB or Shiner Bock?
DW: I'm sorry VB is it for me.
TW: OH, and can we borrow that BRAVO guy's Apostrophé questions:
DW: a.What is your favorite word? fuck
b. What is your least favorite word? fuck
c. What is your favorite curse word? fuck
David, on behalf of all TOFOG and Utopian Babies fans out there in cyber space, we would like to thank you for your time in answering these questions. We all agree that you're one of the most loved band mates in TOFOG and we are eager to hear the newest album BLOC when it is released and all new matierial that you are working on! Thanks again and Happy Holidays!
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Garth Adam 11-10-2000
TW: Did you think that TOFOG's music would be as successful as it has
been without the internet?
GA: The internet has made a huge difference and has allowed us to control
what we do to an enormous extent even though we will be using a record
company this time it will be from a position of strength.
TW: How many songs are going on the new album?
GA: Undecided, but I suspect somewhere between 12 and 14.
TW: How long have you personally been making music? Was this your first
career choice? Did your family approve?
GA: About 20 years now, since I was a kid. Always wanted to make it a living
and my parents encouraged me to play but believed it was not a stable
career so I should go and get an education which is what I did.
TW: What is your outlet besides music to help you cope with life's
everyday stresses?
GA: I actually like studying , would you believe so at the moment I am doing
Law part time, plus playing Tennis when I can.
TW: How did you find London in regards to the atmosphere playing last
July? Would you recommend any good clubs or bars?
GA: I don't really know enough about the city as it is so large and I was
only there for 2 weeks. It is a lively place and if you can't find
something to do there you can't be helped.
TW: What would you say is the difference between Aussie music and say
American or British music?
GA: This is a hard one as bands around the world are basically copying each
other now that communication barriers have broken down. The one
difference I can tell is that Aussie bands play live a lot and it is
expected. There is a pay your dues mentality over here.
There are very few middle of the road soft rock bands here as they would
be considered wimpy and best left in England.
TW: Does TOFOG take their music seriously to an extent of trying to get a
point across, such as political or spiritual?
GA: We try to as well as really enjoy the experience of being together as
individuals. Our time together is often brief so we make the most of it.
TW: What was it that attracted your attention most about joining this
band?
GA: The band evolved between friends who knew each other. To start with
there was no band just a decision to play music for our own pleasure,
not even for an audience.
It took quite awhile before we decided to make it a band and take it to
an audience.
TW: Can you let the TOFOG fans get a little insight of what you want to achieve
on a professional level with the band?
GA: I am very careful not to expect too much. As long as we can have fun and
stay friends it will be almost enough. I think if we can build our
audience as well that would be a plus but we are under no illusions that
this band will ever make us a living. All we ask of it is to pay the
bills that the band accrues.
TW: What can TOFOG fans expect musically when the album "Bastard Life or
Clarity" is finally released?
GA: A much improved album on Gaslight but still not departing too much from
the style we enjoy. It will have a natural sound to it as we don't use
computers or machines. Everything is played by a set of fingers.
TW: Where have your musical influences come from?
GA: Everywhere and anywhere. I try to like something in everything and I go
through fads of certain sorts of music . After being in Austin I am on
my Alt Country phase.
TW: VB or Shiner Bock?
GA: VB of course or I will be jailed.
TW: Would TOFOG consider doing promo on Jay Leno or any other US talk
shows?
GA: I very much doubt it. We are unlikely to be a mainstream band in the way
those bands that do that are.
TW: What music do you have in your car at the moment?
GA: The new album by a guy from Austin called Beaver Nelson.
TW: Will TOFOG prefer playing smaller intimate clubs/pubs or move onto
bigger venues ? If so will this detract from the relationship with fans?
GA: I think what we played at in Austin is a large as we would like to go.
Anything bigger and it is hard to keep the same level of contact and to
be honest I don't believe what we do suits really big venues.
TW: What other types of music do you listen to?
GA: I listen to a bit of classical and world music as well as pop and rock.
Only thing I can't get into is heavy metal.
TW: When can we expect to buy the live cd(s) from Austin and the live
video? And will it be available on VHS and or DVD?
GA: Hopefully DVD for the sound and picture quality. If all goes well it may
be out before June next year.
TW: We know that Russell wrote the lyrics to the songs on BLOC, but who
wrote the melodies?
GA: Mainly Russell but he is open to suggestions.
TW: Austin was obviously an INCREDIBLE time for me, as it was for a lot
of TOFOG fans. Honestly, was it as much fun for you guys was it was for
us?
GA: It was almost more fun than we could bear. It was a bit hard to go back
to our regular lives when we retuned home.
TW: If you could rename TOFOG, what band name would you give yourselves?
GA: Band names are the hardest things and we agonized over a name before
this one came along. It is too scary to contemplate , thinking of
another one.
TW: When did you start playing the guitar?
GA: Around 12 but it took awhile before I was really interested.
TW: Do you prefer playing to audiences in the US or in Oz? Honestly.
GA: At the moment the US, but gigs can vary so much . We have played in
Australia a lot . Some have been fantastic and others forgettable.
TW: What is your favorite food?
GA: I guess I would have to say Italian.
TW: Is it true that the first music video that was shot in Austin will be
the first released video and possibly the first song of the new album
"Things have got to change", which to me is a fantastic song! One of my
all time faves at the show. Could you possibly elaborate on what the
fans will expect to see when watching it? Like the scenery? The people,
etc, within the video?
GA: Yes, we did a video but no decision has been made to make that one the
first release. It was shot in the backyard
of a place that collects and restores old neon signs. It was a really
interesting space and ideal for a video.
TW: Has Stew Kirwin and Dave Wilkins both lent a hand with their talents
in vocals and instruments?
GA: Very much so, They play and sing on basically every track on the album.
TW: Any plans of a tour in the USA and elsewhere in the next year?
GA: No plans at the moment. What we do will be determined by the success of
the album.
TW: Does the band have a design for the cover of the album?
GA: Not yet but people are just about to start on it.
TW: What sort of merchandise would we be able to buy other than the cd
and video? Such as shirts, posters, hats.
GA: We are looking at revamping all the merchandise in December when
everyone will be back in Oz again.
We hope to significantly improve it.
Fans can't get enough!!!!
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