Perth heavy rockers Patient Sixty Seven are about to release their new EP ‘Four Walls’ on March 2nd with a launch show expected on Mach 16th at Amplifier Bar. What started as an idea between vocalist Tom Kiely and guitarist Dylan Bond in their parents garage, has grown into an idea and force beyond even their own expectation. Combining the bands brand of passionate metal core and orchestral/electronic influences with melodic choruses and soaring guitar leads, the sophmore EP beckons as the group hopes to continue establishing themselves. We get a few words on the new songs and some background on Patient Sixty Seven.
Tell us about the process of writing and recording the new songs.
The process of writing and recording came easy in parts, and hard in others. When we went into the studio to begin recording, we had a good idea of where we wanted to go with it but there was also still lots we knew we had to flesh out. The majority of the material heard on the EP were from songs we had spent our time writing and demo’ing in the past 12-18 months. Some of the songs contain parts that were from demo’s even older than that – we wanted to include parts from those where we could fit them in – if they were suitable for the song we were working on. We have kind of spoken about the challenges we had to overcome in the studio. A lot changed through the recording process and the band had to adapt to that and push on, through member changes and other setbacks.
I feel like when the band was under the pressure of being unsure what to do next, having lost really important people in the band at crucial moments, we came together and found our feet. Because we all have jobs and commitments we recorded over the space of 6 months, so obviously things are happening around us, without that luxury to lock ourselves away and write/record an album. Everything considered – I am so proud of our band and the end product we’ve created. A lot of it is through blood, sweat and tears of us, our producers and everyone who contributed. I put my all into it and I know so did Rory and Declan.
We were lucky enough to work with our producer and friend Ryan Botha on this last record. He recorded and produced the EP and we work incredibly well with him. I can’t speak highly enough about his ability as a songwriter and musician. We recorded with him in 2016 for a single release, and it wasn’t even a question that we’d go back and have him produce the full EP. He gets the best out of his bands and he’s really making some waves in Perth at the moment. We (usually myself) definitely clashed at times and that was really really productive, we both wanted the music to be the best it could be. He pushed us and while at the time it exhausted us all, it shows in all of his work that he’s willing to take the extra step to produce a better end-product. One of my favourite vocalists in Phil Druyor jumped on and sang a bit on The Void which was really cool. We hit him up and asked him to write a part for the song, and he delivered what I think is a really cool moment for the record. He has an amazing voice, and I’m a fan of his stuff he’s done for I Am Abomination and The Bad Chapter.
I was so happy that we were able to pass onto Cory (Brunnemann) at the end of it all for mixing. He’s so good at what he does and just bought out the best of us in the final product. He’s mixed and worked with some bigger bands but still wants to outdo himself with everything he touches. We always envisioned him mixing the EP after he worked on our last single, and I’m really thankful that he found time to work with us.
What were some of the things you wanted to achieve with the release?
I personally, just wanted to create music. I wanted to really be honest with ourselves as a band and as musicians and write something that we were all proud of. I think as well we all were still learning a lot of the basics with our last few releases, so we could probably aim to hit the ground running and try a few new things. I guess that’s every band, continually trying to evolve and improve!
Do you enjoy the process of creating? Are you someone who continually writes or does the best come out under a little gentle pressure?
I think our band has shown with this release that we can create under pressure. For me personally, I don’t know if that applies to me as a songwriter. Yes, and no. I think it’s cool to be able to get into that space where it all feels natural and organic, but at the same time we’ve had to zone in on more than one occasion and fit something that works in the studio.
I try and write as often as I can, specifically with lyrics, but for me it definitely does come and go as there needs to be something to fuel the fire. I’ve never come unprepared without lyrics but in terms of the songs and how they fit together, we have definitely bounced ideas off each other under pressure situations and it’s worked well having that focus.
What does it feel like as an artist waiting for the songs you’ve lived with for some time to get released to the fans? Is there a sense of excitement or a little panic in there too?
Being a local act – it’s definitely excitement. You know, you want the songs to be heard by anyone who will listen, and for those that show an interest in following our music it’s always really awesome to hear what they think. Good or bad really, it’s just great to get it out there for people to listen to.
Definitely the wait with these songs has been a bit exhausting! Just because it’s been a longer process than we expected and the tracks have been sitting in my head for so long. I’m definitely excited by it all, and just really can’t wait for people to have the chance to check it out!
How does it compare to previous releases?
It’s a step up, put simply. The last release was branded as an EP, and very much felt like a demo in recording it as it was so new to majority of people in the band. It was a learning process, and we definitely took the lessons we learnt from our first year or two as a band and put all of that into Four Walls.
This EP we really tried to do everything we could to make the songs stick, without shortcuts or watering it down. We took our time mapping out the songs and tried to look at what we thought we could do well and capitalise on it. In our case, we felt like when we wanted to go melodic – let’s really try and do it, if it’s a heavier section – let’s make it go hard. If we want to implement certain electronics or an ambience in a part, let’s not hold back. Being an EP we wanted to avoid any sort of filler, where as we definitely felt on our first collection of songs a lot of it was there just to kinda be there.
It’s definitely a turn around in terms of lyrical content. I guess comparing things written years apart is always going to have its differences, but there’s definitely more of a focus on being honest and upfront rather than writing to project a certain way.
What were the lyrical themes of the songs?
The lyrical themes do blend into each other a little bit from song to song. There’s an emphasis on self-reflection and finding ways to cope with harder times. I wrote nearly all of the lyrics coming from one of the darker periods in my life, there wasn’t a lot to feed off in the way of positivity – and I really did want to go and write songs that reflected how I felt at the time.
I didn’t have intention to tell a story or preach, I knew that if I sat down and wrote honestly and genuinely – even if that meant the lyrics were a little confronting or abrupt – that I would be content with it. I think dealing with new setbacks that haven’t been apart of your life before, you know, the feeling of being overwhelmed and struggling to get your head above water, that formed the basis of a lot of the lyrical themes. As you can maybe hear from the songs, I get in my own way a lot and the EP is pretty much a section of me working through it.
With some of it, it was like, whatever came out first, that was where it was going to go. I didn’t want to second guess too much of it.
What were the main inspirations for the songs?
Lyrically it was just about dealing with new challenges and facing reality. I mean I think if I had of written the songs right now, or 3 years ago, it would’ve been completely different. But at the time I was really immersed in a few different struggles that I’d never had to cope with before. All of that can get really on top of you quickly, so these songs were an outlet.
Any favorite moments or songs on the release?
My favourite song is probably The Void. We all have a different track that we like the most, but for me that song just came to be everything I imagined it would. It’s one we sat on for a long time so to finally have it pieced together, it sticks out for me.
I also really enjoy Rory’s part at the end of the title track, Four Walls. That was so much fun to write and record and he really brings it all home during the last minute or so.
Did you imagine how these songs would play out in a live situation?
Many times! Some of them we’ve been playing in our set for the last 5-6 months – and we’ve gotten some really positive feedback on them. The good thing about learning some of it prior to their release is you can gauge reactions and just get more time to get used to the songs in a live environment.
How did the band form and get started?
The band started a few years back when me and our old guitarist met through work and decided to start jamming together. It started off as a bit of fun and snowballed into playing live shows and releasing music.
What have been your greatest challenges to date, and your favourite moments musically?
Our greatest challenge – as is the case with a lot of local bands – is just continuing to find the time to do everything we want to try and achieve as a band. It definitely takes a bit of sacrifice and hard work, putting the effort in to try and keep getting the same enjoyment out of it all. Perth is so isolated, so it’s a constant challenge to keep things moving.
Our favourite moments have come from being on stage playing music, enjoying ourselves and just being happy with what we’re doing. We’ve played some awesome shows over the journey, some of us in different bands – and I think that’s one of the biggest reasons why we all stay so invested in music.
With technology changing so much over the last few years and seemingly not slowing, and TV force-feeding us the lowest common denominator, what hope is there for rock & metal music?
I mean for sure, there’s no doubt that technology is shaping everything we do let alone our musical consumption. There’s definitely home for rock and metal – it has such an incredible core fan base and people still turn up to shows. You only need to look at some of the up and coming heavier bands coming out of Australia to see people really do back this. It’s just getting harder to keep people’s attention. Everything has become so immediate.
From what you’ve learned so far what is the most valuable advice you’ve been given so far as a musician?
Honestly – to enjoy it and have fun. Stay passionate and keep going for as long as you love it.
Who are some of your main influences?
Our band ranges from a large range of heavier bands such as Breakdown of Sanity, In Hearts Wake, Architects. It’s hard not to take away from those metal core front runners, our guitarists do listen to a lot of proggier stuff – as well as earlier bands in the genre such as As I Lay Dying and All That Remains.
Who or what inspired you to be in a band and/or play music?
Growing up and through high school – I loved bands like Blink 182 and All Time Low. Those pop punk acts who had a ton of fun on stage and just didn’t look they cared about anything. Man, it seemed like such a good time. Then progressing into heavier music, seeing the way those bands moved the crowds and got people moving. The vibe and atmosphere of it all was really incredible.
How do you feel about the current music scene right now?
In some ways it’s thriving. There’s some wonderful bands leading the charge through Australia, touring heavily and putting out quality music. I think the scene will always be evolving and changing, so unless you’re constantly staying in tune with it all it’s easy to feel removed. I’m not sure how connected I’d be with everything happening in Perth, but there’s no doubt people are still ready to connect with live music, even if it’s not on the same scale as it may have been 5 years back.
If you could be a fly on the wall for the recording of any album in history, what album would it be?
The Eminem Show. No question.
What is the meaning of life?
Lebron James’ staying in Cleveland.
Patient Sixty-Seven ‘Four Walls’ EP Launch
Amplifier Bar, Perth – March 16th 2018
Event Page
More info – facebook.com/PatientSixtySeven
