Artist info
Genre
Pop, Punk, Rock
band members
Leroy Macqueen & Kat Friend
Website
Bio
Newcastle, Australia via Los Angeles punk sweethearts The Gooch Palms have firmly planted their feet in American soil and have played over 150 shows across the USA and Canada to packed rooms and rave reviews since arriving in March 2015. They are fast becoming known as one of the most entertaining live bands in America, something audiences downunder have known for years!
Their debut album NOVO'S was released in 2013 on Australian label Anti Fade Records and has since been re-released on Burger Records in the USA and Surfin Ki Records in Europe.
Despite being extremely busy with touring in 2015 the duo still managed to squeeze in a recording session with producer Bill Skibbe (The Kills, Black Keys, Wild Belle, Protomartyr, Jacuzzi Boys) to work on their second album in Benton Harbour, MI.
Keeping true to their DIY ethos, the pair will be releasing their second album Introverted Extroverts in mid 2016 on their own label Summer Camp Records and will continue the hard work with an extensive worldwide tour to follow.
The Gooch Palms are truly a unique, refreshing and hard working band that are creating a world of buzz which is whole-heartedly deserved.
“Their sun kissed, surf-indebted garage punk is the ideal antidote to bleak times, with fuzzed-up thrills.” - NME
"The Gooch Palms Leroy Macqueen and Kat Friend are a total party band. They wear colorful, kitschy outfits and sing bubblegum-flavored garage rock songs... with absurdly catchy "wooo ooooh, waahhh AI YAH YAAAH" doo-wop melodies.” - Pitchfork
“The Gooch Palms have been carving out an impressive list of achievements… 2016 is shaping up to be yet another big year for the eccentric Aussie rockers.” - Rolling Stone
Leroy Macqueen and Kat Friend are Newcastle's notorious bubblegum-punk duo The Gooch Palms. They achieve a LOT with only vocals, one guitar and two drums.
Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
Our music is lo-fi pop music. It's loud and scuzzy and sometimes pretty brutal, but can also be super sweet and friendly, just like us! We listen to loads of different types of music, from super lo-fi minimal garage like The Gories to top 40 pop like Beyonce and everything in-between. It all sinks in and contributes to our sound. We have a distinct style due to the minimal instrument usage. Just two drums and a guitar, so that defines our sound a lot and influences the style of songs we create.
What can the crowd expect from a Gooch Palms live show?
We LOVE playing live more than anything and aim to give our audiences a show they will never forget. Warning, if you're allergic to nuts or easily offended, best stay at home!
What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
At one of our shows, a guy told us to never get any better, because we were really good at being bad. That has always stuck with us.
Tell us about the bands or people in the Australian music community that inspire you?
There are really a lot of individuals and bands that are so important to our particular realm of music. Our mate Billy who is in the band The Living Eyes and runs the label that released our album and 7", Anti Fade Records is a real inspiration! He's so young and has already done so much for Australian music. Straight Arrows are a band we have always looked up to and are good friends of ours, they are a big inspiration and seeing their success is always motivating! And also playing bass in Palms for a while taught me about touring and working hard as a band and I've definitely taken a lot of inspiration from those guys. There are a million others, but we'd be here all day!!!
What else is coming up for you in 2013?
Well now that the album is out, we will be finishing up the album tour and then playing more gigs over the summer. We have a bunch of new songs in the works too that I guess we'll demo when we get back home. We like to stay busy.
Australian music is…?
The best music in the world.
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Warts 'n all stuff. Fortunately it's a good lookin' wart.
Warts 'n all stuff. Fortunately it's a good lookin' wart.
Review
Putting this in my 'first dance wedding ceremony' folder.
Putting this in my 'first dance wedding ceremony' folder.
Review
This song is fantastic!!! I'm glad I stumbled upon this gem because Gooch Palms are playing in Brisbane soon! I love the angsty feel this song gives. Also kind of reminds me of Grease Lighting and Johnny Depp. Excited to hear more!
This song is fantastic!!! I'm glad I stumbled upon this gem because Gooch Palms are playing in Brisbane soon! I love the angsty feel this song gives. Also kind of reminds me of Grease Lighting and Johnny Depp. Excited to hear more!
