* What story is there behind the formation of s:bahn? Did you guys know each other previously? Who's idea was the bandname?

S:Bahn came into existence one night in the Punters Club in the Winter of '95, I was watching "One Inch Punch" when a complete stranger (Kristian) walked up to me and asked me if I was a singer! We eventually hooked up with Rob (Bass) and Dennis (Drums) and settled for the name while recording our first Demo at Happy Valley. The name was the title of a German Poem in a book I had bought to plagiarize lyrics from.

* What was it like recording with Nick Carroll? How did it happen that you ended up working with him?

Recording in Nicks house is brilliant, I normally get really nervous when someone says "Ok play" and the tape is rolling, but there you are basically playing in someones front room and that atmosphere of tension normally found with studios and engineers just isnt there. The guitar amps are setup in a little cupboard hidden under the stairs, cables snake up the stairwell to the bedroom which houses the mishmash of recording equipment. Nick is cagey about much of its history and its easy to imagine him smuggling a piece home from work every night , like in that old country song

* Does the phrase "Sleep, Drink, Fuck" have any relevence to how you perceive your (or someone else's) life?

It refers to that perfect time in every ones life , a period that maybe never existed but its there for you to rewind to when things stupid and complicated: in those days we used to wake up, fuck, go up the pub, come home fuck and go to sleep again.

* What issue(s) concerns you more than any others currently?

I'm sorry I am too stupid for political issues, too selfish for social issues , I am not comfortable answering these sort of questions.

* What are your latest finds in music? Do you think listening to other bands influence your our style in certain ways?

Listening to other bands must influence your objectives but I am not sure it can influence your style much, witness the bands who drop all the right names and referances in an interview then trot out the same old crap in their songs. The bands used by people to cross referance S:Bahns music seem to be the bands we were listening to in our formative years, so I guess the same is true of us, our style is not affected by how much we love the new "_____" album.

* How did you get involved in Paul Dempsey's "scared of horses" project, and what does your involvement involve?

"Scared of Horses", Paul just gave me a tape via Karl at Brass Companion, explained the project and I, like everyone thought "shit theres gotta be some cash in this" , I chose a song of the tape (it sounded real Slinty*) wrote a tune and recorded it You have got to admire the guy: the idea is one thing, but to actually record then hand over your songs to strangers , organise those people from all over the country to record their words and stay sane , must take some doing.

* What do you do in your spare time? Do you all have jobs out of the band?

Denis is a graphic Designer , he has done sleeves for Ricaine, Sandpit as well as our own. Rob is an artist who is currently working as a picture framer in order to eat. Kristian works as floor manager on Channel 10‚s "Good Morning Australia". I am a corporate lackey, working for a computer company.

* Describe the band members of s:bahn in five words...

Crazy, Sexy, Cool, Vague, Stupid.

* You are on the Au go go compilation - "Wonder From a 1/4 acre". How did you come to be a part it? Are the two songs new or old, and were they recorded specifically for "1/4 acre"? Both songs seem to be a bit more mellow than most of the stuff on "North Sea Clean"....

We were asked for two tracks by AuGoGo and we went to Nicks house and recorded them soon after the "North Sea Clean" Sessions. The tape was then mastered by AuGoGo before we had even heard it ourselves. When we heard a copy of what was going to be the finished CD , we realised our songs sounded like shite. It was when we rang Nick to arrange a remix we discovered he had taped over our master tape. So we rerecorded them, AuGoGo remastered and amazingly we are all friends still!

Mellow, hmmm I think that is as "POP" as we want to go. "Broadway" was an idea that frankly did not work out as well as it could.

* What do you like most about being in s:Bahn?

The great outfits!

* Who do you think is quite attractive (male and female)?

Hmmm..

* Which bands do you enjoy playing with the most in Melbourne, and which venue(s) do you prefer over others?

Whitegoods, Sea Scouts, Art of Fighting..Public Bar, Corner (small stage).I am bored shitless of playing in Melbourne actually.

* What pet hates do you have?

Another dumb question.

* What play or musical do you like the most? How about favourite book?

Dogs in space, Milk and drugs and Alby Starvation.

* Any advice to budding indie guitarist hopefuls out there who want at least a pinch of credibilty?

Place your left hand on a bar top and hit it as hard as you can with a full wine bottle. The best songs can be played with one finger.