Pheaturing Max From The On Fires

Hello, welcome to another wonderful entry of the Phile. How are you? Of course the big news everyone is talking about this week is the death of Osama bin Laden. If for some reason you don't know, he was killed by U.S. forces. Everyone on TV has been really happy. Glenn Beck was crying — and then he found out about Osama. Politicians on both sides are equally happy. Dick Cheney said he hasn’t been this happy since he saw the YouTube video of the girl throwing puppies into the river. Apparently, members of al-Qaida are online slamming the U.S. I don’t understand why they’re so upset. Everyone in al-Qaida just got a promotion. President Obama must be very happy because he finally took down his arch enemy: Donald Trump. The bin Laden announcement interrupted “Celebrity Apprentice.” After all the talk about caves, bin Laden was hiding in a million-dollar mansion in Pakistan. The CIA became suspicious when they learned there was a million-dollar mansion in Pakistan. He was buried at sea, and I just want to point out that “buried at sea” means “dumped in the ocean.” This could be the best Shark Week ever. Between the death of bin Laden and the royal wedding, it’s an exciting time to be in the commemorative plate business. The initial reports said that Osama bin Laden was killed by Navy SEALs, but now it appears that he was killed by actual seals. This is the best time ever to be a Navy SEAL — or a guy in a bar claiming to be a Navy SEAL. The CIA says bin Laden’s last words were, “Are you guys here about the dishwasher?” There’s one thing we should thank bin Laden for. Because of his death, for one whole week, we didn’t talk about Charlie Sheen. As we speak, Osama bin Laden is living with SpongeBob in a pineapple under the sea. He’s up to 2,000 friends on Shot-in-the-Facebook. Some top Republicans are giving most of the credit for killing bin Laden to former President George W. Bush. It’s kind of like when someone opens a pickle jar and you say, “Well, I loosened it.” Bin Laden was living in his compound with nine women and 23 children. It sounds like he was shooting a reality show for TLC. There's other news going on apart from bin Laden's death, kids. A 93-year-old woman and a 100-year-old man have become the world’s oldest newlyweds. After a brief honeymoon, they plan to reside in heaven. Congratulations to Animal Kingdom for winning the Kentucky Derby. My money was on Epcot though. So, let's talk about Prince Andrew and Cate. Have you seen the posters they are selling of them in England? No? Check it out here then.

Speaking of those two, Britain's sweethearts, I was watching the Royal Wedding again I DVR'ed and I couldn't believe who I spotted in the crowd. Take a look, I circled it so you can see. By the way, "Doctor Who" is on tonight.

I heard those two are coming to America soon. They plan to wait 4 hours on line for the opening of the new attraction at Disney... Star Tours: The Adventures Continue. Did you guys go see the new movie Thor that came out yesterday. I wanna see it, but I am not sure who they picked to play him. What do you think? Here's a screenshot...

Why is he wearing a t-shirt like that, with sunglasses and why is he at a toy store? Anyway, I hope to see Thor in the week and next week's entry post a review. And now for some sad and happy news...

Seve Ballesteros
April 9, 1957 - May 7, 2011
6 under.
Jackie Cooper
September 15, 1922 - May 3, 2011
Great Caesar's ghost!
Osama bin Laden
March 10, 1957 - May 1, 2011
Good riddance you worthless, pathetic, cowardly scumbag.

This is the 15th book to be pheatured in the Peverett Phile Book Club...

The author Christian Cawley will be on the Phile in the next few weeks.

Today's guest is the lead singer from the hot Australian band The On Fires. They have a new CD out called "Betrayer" and tomorrow they will be playing at AD Bar in Foshan, China. Please welcome to the Phile from The On Fires... Max.

Me: Hey, Max, how are you? Welcome to the Peverett Phile.

Max: Hiya PP. We're great. Just finished a 6-week tour in Canada & the US which was absolutely fantastic. So many good people!

Me: So, first things first, what's this you went to China to play? Whose idea was that?

Max: Yeah, we just landed in China & start a month-long tour in a couple of days. It kinda happened after we met a punk band from Beijing (PK14) last year at SXSW in Austin. Our guitarist Marty bought their t-shirt, wore it on 2 tours, and then I accidentally threw it out in Brooklyn.... I was determined to get a replacement t-shirt & started firing off emails to every person in China. It so happens one of them was a promoter and one thing lead to another... and here we are!

Me: You guys have been all over the world to play, haven't you? Ever played here in Orlando?

Max: Yep, we've played some amazing places: Ukraine, a Pacific Island (with the Australian Army), Turkey, the UK, Canada, Slovakia, of course our own country (Australia) & yes - even in Orlando! (We played a house party during our 'Kangaroo Punk' tour last year.)

Me: Okay, now we got that out of the way, you guys are one of the most colorful groups I have ever seen. Tell the readers who is in The On Fires.

Max: There's three of us. Me (Max) and Marty (the guitarist) started the band some years ago. We're currently working with an awesome drummer from Atlanta GA - so we're 2/3 Aussie now!

Me: The name is appropriate with your red hair. Is that where the band name comes from?

Max: Not quite... We started off with another name. In hindsight it was pretty crap. For starters it had the word 'asleep' in it. After a show in Poland at the start of last year a sweaty fan came up to us and said, "You're not asleep, you're on fire!" And that was the turning point for us to change our band name!

Me: I was thinking you guys are the first guest I have ever interviewed from Australia, but I interviewed a country singer named Jasmine Rae from Australia a few years ago. I should invite her back. Anyway, what part of Australia are you from?

Max: We're from Melbourne in the south. Sydney is more well known (it's such a spectacular city!) but it's actually Melbourne that's the 'cultural capital' of Australia. So much music, theatre & art of all forms. Melbourne's a huge rock city - home of AC/DC (in fact Marty went to the same high school as Angus Young).

Me: Being from Australia, are you guys fans of Keith Urban?

Max: Um, no offense to Keith (I hear he's an awesome performer) but I don't think anyone in Australia had heard of him until he married Nicole... Australians tend not to take any notice of their own artists until they've been somewhere else and got famous there. Then we lay claim!

Me: You know, we have a Melbourne here in Florida as well, did you know that?

Max: Yes! We took lots of photos of the freeway signs!

Me: I downloaded your new album "Betrayer" from iTunes and really liked it. That's not your first release though, is it?

Max: No. Our first album 'Sky Caves In' came out in 2004 (under our old band name). We've had several releases between the 2 albums, but as with most muso's the one we're really excited about is the next one!

Me: Was the album recorded in Australia? You had a very good and well known producer for it, didn't you?

Max: "Betrayer" was actually recorded in LA. We had the opportunity to work with Rick Parker, who's produced for Dandy Warhols, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and (he didn't tell us this!) did the soundtrack for Mighty Morphin Power Rangers! He was fantastic to work with. My favourite time was when he drove in a Hammond B Organ on the back of a tiny pickup truck.

Me: What's with the album cover though? It's very creepy.

Max: We wanted it to reflect the subject matter of the album - betrayal, murder etc.

Me: You guys have been described as the bastard child of the B-52's and the Sex Pistols. I take it you are fans of said bands. What other bands are you kids into?

Max: Being described as being like someone doesn't necessarily mean you're a fan... Someone compared us to Lynyrd Skynyrd once & I'd never heard of him (excuse my ignorance!!). But actually I have big respect for the Sex Pistols and they way they challenged the 'old school' although I'm not a fan of spitting on audiences!! The B-52's must've been really out there when they started performing too - so post-punk & colourful and quirky; kinda like New Zealand's Split Enz (whose members went on to form Crowded House). I love bands that aren't afraid to express themselves in new & interesting ways!

Me: Lynyrd Skynyrd is not just one guy, Max, it's a band. Anyway, you guys are in a very cool band. How long have you guys known each other and when did you first get the band together?

Max: Marty (the guitarist) and I met on a swimming camp when we were 15. Not that I could swim, but he certainly could. We've been friends ever since and we formed the band after Marty had filled in for a former guitarist of mine and my manager at the time said, "You two should work together". It's been amazing. We're a great team. Neither of us would probably be touring the world playing music without the other!

Me: So, what's next for you? Any chance you'll be coming over to the States again to play?

Max: We just finished our 3rd tour of the US on April 17th! Right before we came over to China for this current tour. So yes, we'll be back. We've made lots of wonderful friends in your incredible country!

Me: Hey, I have to ask you about the song "When Monkey's Turn". What is that song about?

Max: Absolutely nothing. We were fooling around trying to come up with the most stupid and meaningless song titles we could come up with. Blame Marty's warped sense of humour.

Me: Thanks so much for doing this interview. I hope it was fun, Max. You guys are a very cool band, and I hope you'll come back. Go ahead and mention your website.

Max: Yep, thanks so much for the fun and thoughtful questions. We love sharing our lives with people and have an amazing bunch of people that support us in our world travels. We've very active on our Facebook & website. If anyone wants to get a feel for touring in China, visit us at www.TheOnFires.com or facebook.com/TheOnFires - tell us you heard about us via The Peverett Phile!

Well, that about it for another entry. Thanks to Max from The On Fires for a great interview, and to Christina Duren from Ariel Publicity for hooking it up. The Phile will be back next Friday, or Phriday as I like to call it with singer, songwriter Natalie Gelman. Until then, spread the word, not the turd. Don't let snakes and alligators bite you. Bye, love you, bye.