Tim Firth is hitting out with his own band and sound. Boosted along by his National Jazz award, lucky Sydney audiences have a chance to catch his band next month, and hopefully a CD release in the not too distant future.
JK: What were your biggest influences in deciding on your own band and musical style for it?
TF: The biggest influences on the musical style for my band are the old school and modern heavy metal and progressive metal bands. My love for heavier music began in high school when my mates introduced me to Metallica, Pantera, Korn and Rage Against the Machine. I was instantly drawn to the intensity of the music and the incredible riffs. To me these riffs were as memorable and as catchy as any pop hook, or vocal melody. I started getting into jazz when I was studying music at UNSW and the Sydney Conservatorium. My love of jazz music grew gradually, and I came to realise that it was no less intense than heavy music, especially the way a solo builds and grows. Improvisation is a big part of the music I write, but I like the guys to improvise over riffs as well as chord progressions. The modern, more progressive metal bands like Meshuggah, Periphery, Animals As Leaders, and Karnivool are a big influence on my music, especially the way they use intricate rhythms underneath a rock beat.
Deciding on the musicians for my band was easy. Both Carl Morgan and Peter Koopman are amazing guitarists and compliment each other perfectly. They also love the same bands I do and instantly gave the music the sound and vibe I was looking for. I’ve probably played more gigs with Brett Hirst than any other bass player. He just feels totally natural and easy playing with, and he is a killer electric player which is very important in my band, we had to let the double bass go after the first gig… not rock enough.
JK: What did winning the National jazz awards enable you to do?
TF: Basically it enabled me to form this band. Before the competition I never dreamed of starting my own band as I loved being a side-man and playing other peoples music, and I still do. Part of the prize was a free recording at ABC studios. Not wanting to waste an opportunity I set out to write some material for a double guitar band. We had such a good time in the studio I booked us a gig and wrote some more. The guys played the material so well I thought it had to continue, so I gave the band a name and booked more gigs. So the band basically formed by accident, as I never intended on having my own band, to the point where I didn’t actually want my own band, with all the responsibility that goes with it. But it was too much fun, and the guys really enjoy the music too, and put a lot of effort into it, I had to do more.
JK: What can audiences expect to hear on the night?
TF: If you’re after sweet melodic ballads… sorry, this isn’t the gig for you. Basically expect lots of riffs, heavy grooves and guitar shredder madness. But don’t be afraid! It’s not aggressive music, it’s not really heavily distorted. I really believe there is something to like in this gig for the jazz lover and heavy music lover. We will be playing my original material and with a Metallica and Karnivool cover. Plus a heavy version of a favourite jazz standard. Basically if the jazz police found out about the gig, we would get arrested.
JK: Will you be wearing different t-shirts at 505? (I was at the Jazzgroove gig, so I am just wondering if you are going to replace Brett’s shirt)
TF: Yes I just bought a new T-shirt. A Pantera one this time. I think the guys might wear new ones too. Brett has threatened to wear a Motley Crue shirt, or some 80’s glam band like that… I’ve threatened to fire him if he does! Whenever you go to a heavy metal gig almost everyone is wearing a shirt of his or her favourite metal band, not necessarily a shirt of the band that’s playing. So everyone who comes to our gig, if you own a shirt with a band logo on it, wear it! Especially if it’s black. Maybe I should have some Scoredatura shirts made…
SCOREDATURA live at Venue 505
280 Cleveland St Surry Hills (Corner of Cleveland and Perry St)
Wednesday12 November 2014
Doors at 6pm
Music 8:30-11ish.
For bookings: http://www.trybooking.com/GCZB
