Columbus take on the A-Z Questionnaire Challenge!

Australian alternative punk trio Columbus are gearing up for the release of their debut album Spring Forever on August 26th. The band have also just announced that they are hitting the UK for the first time in November with Roam and Like Pacific. We challenged vocalist/guitarist Alex Moses to take on our A-Z interview.

Australian alternative punk trio Columbus are gearing up for the release of their debut album Spring Forever on August 26th. The band have also just announced that they are hitting the UK for the first time in November with Roam and Like Pacific. We challenged vocalist/guitarist Alex Moses to take on our A-Z interview.

A song which made you want to make music?

One of the first song’s I tried to learn from guitar tabs online was The Living End’s What’s on your Radio. That song was one of my favourites as a young teenager.

Best rider you have ever had?

At Unify Festival 2016 we had a full rider of beer, spirits and food, but we were too hungover to stomach any of it.

Craziest moment you’ve experienced in the band?

On the Real Friends tour in 2015, we played a Brisbane AA show at Trinity Hall. The crowd was so energetic and at one point we felt the stage being pushed back, it was pretty crazy.

Deepest lyrics one of your songs features?

Our song Learn to Swim, off the new record Spring Forever, has one of my favourite ‘deep’ lyrics. “Sometimes I wish, I was anybody else, but I don’t want to hate this skin, cause I’m stuck in here forever.”

Easiest song you wrote?

The first track off Spring Forever, Summer Dress I wrote very quickly off a little spark of inspiration and it all came together in about 15 minutes.

Favourite song in your set?

My favourite song to play live is Daffodil.

Guest you’d most like to feature on your record?

Brendon Urie from Panic! At the Disco.

Hardest thing about being in a band?

The hardest thing about being in a band is keeping up with uni,work and personal relationships while touring and frequently travelling.

Interesting fact about one of your members?

Our bass player Ben has a habit of shooting invisible Basketball shots when he’s waiting for something, or in a discussion. It’s really funny haha.

Jokes you have in the band?

We have a running joke about Ben (bass) being the Dad of the band, as he does all the driving, and likes getting going early and leave extra time for traffic etc.

Key to writing a song?

The key to writing a good song is having an interesting melody, sections that compliment each-other and an irresistible chorus.

Longest distance you’ve travelled to play a show?

In November for our headline tour we’ll drive from Brisbane to begin the tour in Adelaide.

Most inspiring musician you’ve experienced?

I saw Steve Vai at a guitar convention/masterclass at the Conservatorium of Music. He talked about guitar technique, writing and touring for a few hours and it was a great experience which really inspired me to continue developing my skills as a musician.

New band you’d recommend?

PLTS from Byron Bay.

Opening for this band would be ideal?

Brand New would be my dream band to open for.

Place you’d most like to tour?

Internationally I’d love to tour Europe. I love the culture of European cities.
I also really want to tour regional Australia and see places of the country I wouldn’t otherwise get to see.

Quote that you’d like to pass on to our readers?

“Don’t bore-us, get to the chorus” – Dave Grohl

Reason for the title of your forthcoming release?

We titled the album Spring Forever. For me Spring represents a time where everything is perfect, a middle-ground between the summer and the winter.

See us live at?

We’ll be touring the whole country this October – November. Dates are available at columbusbne.com!

The old days of music were better than the current, do you agree?

Our band definitely gets a huge amount of inspiration from the Rock, Grunge and Punk movements of the 90s, and we still love listening to that era of music. The current days of music however are seeing so many bands break down the walls of standard genre traits, and building on the creations on the past.

Unusual merchandise?

We have Baseball flags as part of our pre-order ‘Spring Forever’ packs!
One day I really want to do card-wallet bottle openers though.

Variations you’d like to do on any of your songs?

Doing a full band version of Nervous Wreck could be cool.

What do your fans mean to you?

The people that support us through listening to our music, purchasing merch or seeing us live mean so much to us. Seeing people sing along to songs I wrote in my bedroom is the coolest thing that’s ever happened to me.

X-Rays or any other treatments needed for band related injuries?

We’ve never really had any band-related injuries. Dan often hits his knuckles on the snare and goes through his fair share of band-aids. I once tried to eat a 55cm pizza by myself on tour and threw it all up in an alley-way. I would say that was definitely an injury.

You’re late for a show, whose fault is it?

We’re usually early haha, Ben keeps us on time. However we were super late to the airport last tour and almost missed our flight. We begged the receptionist at Jetstar and we just made it on to the plane in time.

Zoo animal that best describes the personality of your band?

My first thought was Giraffe.

Elizabeth Birt

August 23, 2016

Band management assistant. Goth princess and lover of all things music and sport.

@lbirt1993

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