The Androids: Block party bound
For the Australian band, The Androids (currently on tour with Pink) their attitude is simple. Deliver catchy rock songs without the pretense and make sure that through their force of performance everybody gets up and active. The upcoming new album, Outta Ya Mind is a case in point, it’s filled with catchy songs that grab you and just won’t let go. It would all make for a great soundtrack for your next big house party. I caught up with band member Sam Grayson and got some comments on all things Android.

When did the band first come together?
“It’s been about five years ago now.”
And did it come together in that organic way that bands often do?
“Yeah, Tim, Matt and Marty had been playing together in a band a lot longer than that. The band was called Plasticine and then Tim started to play guitar in the band Superjesus, that went quite well and he was with them for about three years but he also keep Plasticine going as well. After he left the Superjesus they began to record as The Androids and halfway through that they decided that with so many harmonies and extra guitar parts that they needed a forth member. They had auditions and that’s where I came in.”
A few years have passed since the band’s first album, what have you guys been up to?
“We actually went off and recorded a album straight after the first that was shelved because it was too much of a jump from the first album.”
Was that a self-band decision?
“Well our record company went broke and we had a disagreement with management and we all wanted to say stuff it and go off and do our own thing but then we realized it was a bit self-indulgent and too much of a stretch from the first record. We sounded like a completely different band.”
Well, with the new album, the band sound is back. I thought it was really infectious and would make a great party record.
“This time we didn’t really try to impress anyone, we just played what felt good to us. We didn’t have any strategic plan.”
I always thought that it’s hard to pass up a classic yeah. yeah. yeah chorus like on the track On The Radio.
“It’s pretty catchy isn’t it?”
Speaking of catchy, what was the first band that caught your ears?
“It was actually Johnny Diesel and the Injectors.”
From a guitar player or songwriter standpoint?
“I just loved his vocals and guitar.”
I always thought he was a bit underrated as a guitar player, the guy can really play.
“Yeah whenever he played at any local club, I’d always try to catch his set.”
The biggest thing he had going against him was the name, if he was just John the guitar player, there would have been a lot less fuss.
“Yeah that’s for sure.”
Do you remember the first album you bought?
“I do and I’m not very proud of it.”
Was it one of those guilty pleasures?
“Yeah it was an album by the band Poison.”
Those hair bands were kind of fun back in the day, did you remember what effect it had on you?
“It just made me feel good and put me in a party mood.”
You really can’t go astray if you just produce music people enjoy.
“That’s right and that’s what we try to do now.”
As long as you don’t try to tease you hair.
“There is so much doom and gloom in the world we don’t need to add to it.”
Now that it’s in the past what’s your take on the song and video, Do It With Madonna?
“Well it kind of summed up a time when those artist were doing really well and we’re proud of what it did but it’s time to move on and we aren’t even playing it anymore.”
On the Pink tour do people still yell out for it?
“Yes they still do.”
And do you address it all?
“We just say not tonight, we don’t have enough time.”
How long are your sets with Pink?
“The are only half an hour.”
That’s pretty quick, how are the sets going?
“Really good, with a half hour we just try to make a high impact in that short period of time, it’s just bang bang, one song after another.”
After the Pink tour you guys are going out on your own to support the new album?
“Yeah we’ll be playing all the major cities as well as quite a few suburban spots.”

Keep your eyes out for those dates, as the 12 tracks that make up the new album Outta Ya Mind will surely translate to a powerful live show.
Rob Hudson
www.theandroids.com