FRIGHTENED RABBIT : Nothing To Get Frightened About

After a bit of a mix up, I finally get through to Grant Hutchinson of indie-pop group Frightened Rabbit. He’s taken a few interviews and it’s all starting to get a bit tiresome - not that you could tell, as he gives me a big “Hi there”, in a notable Glaswegian accent. By Marija Zeko

Frightened Rabbit will reach our shores on New Year’s Eve, playing The Peats Ridge Festival, Pyramid Rock Festival and The Purple Sneakers’ House Party. These back to back shows means that Grant is vying for some free time. “We haven’t really stopped since the album came out in April. We had a four and half week tour in the US, but there’s nothing more we’d rather be doing,” says Hutchinson.

The latest album is The Midnight Organ Fight, following on from 2006’s debut album Sing the Greys. The band originated from Selkirk, Scotland, with all members less vocalist Scott Hutchinson residing in Glasgow, because “that’s where the music is”. Grant plays drums whilst Billy Kennedy is on guitars and Andy Monaghan is on keyboards/guitar.

Another Glaswegian band doing well is Biffy Clyro. I had the good fortune to interview them followed by viewing their concert on their last trip down under. Vocalist Simon Neil was awfully timid, yet accommodating when being interviewed, but when he took to the stage, he let loose and a real madman exploded. Hutchinson can relate to this, summing it up as that Glaswegian passion. “We’re both equally passionate bands. It’s a very different thing being onstage and letting go - you get to express yourself. It’s important the crowd is feeling it. In Glasgow, they are fuckin’ mental. You get a big group of Scotsmen, we like to drink, we let ourselves go. It’s ingrained in our brain. That music’s part of Glasgow.”

The intention when they land here is to let themselves go. The agenda will be “driving from Sydney to Melbourne, doing it over four to five days because it’s our summertime, you can’t do that in Scotland. Basically I want to see some sun, the coast, want to be away from the music for a while,” says Hutchinson.

Without hesitation the drummer informs me that he wants to try an “Anzac biscuit” as though it’s some sort of delicacy. “Will you have that with a cup of tea?” I ask, assuming the two go together. “I’m not a fan of tea, it tastes like shit,” he replies. “It’s huge here in the UK, but I hate it! When you’re stressed, someone says have a cup of tea - that’s the last thing I want. Give me some coffee, so I can stay up.” Confirming his stance he throws in, “I cannot wait to try an Anzac biscuit and a good coffee.”

Aside from Anzac biscuits and coffee, a good cider is also on the plat du jour as our conversation veers from the music to a menu query, “Do you have cider In Australia?” We do, but not as widely spread nor sought after as in the UK. Grant is “after a good cider, I want to try some cider.” If you have the good fortune of attending a concert, bring along an Anzac biscuit to fulfill Frightened Rabbit’s humble desire. The reward could be a maddening Glaswegian performance.