A LITTLE bastard is generally a term of endearment for someone who is perhaps a little bit cheeky, outgoing and most likely, well loved.
“I can think of multiple situations that make someone a little bastard,” Johnny Took from the seven piece outfit Little Bastard said.
The impressive amount of members in the group were drawn together by their love of blue grass and country, something that is not always the most popular genre in contemporary Australia, according to Took.
He said like minded musicians tended to find each other in the Sydney music scene, with a fair amount of overlapping members between groups.
“Yeah, it can be pretty incestuous,” he laughed.
Took said the group had their first full studio rehearsal the other week and were all overwhelmed by the sound as it was one of the few times the entire group had been in attendance.
The laid back nature of the group saw members join in as they wished, so much so a number of band members didn’t properly become acquainted until after they had played an entire set together.
“It’s very spontaneous, very carefree,” Took said.
Took said the group found their style busking, where they would earn barely $100 and use the cash to buy a few hot chickens, some rolls and a case of beer to tide them over.
Their tunes are spontaneous and performed with reckless abandon, due to their want to not over-rehearse, something Took felt would be detrimental to their sound.
With their first album released, it seems like their busking days are well behind them.
“We’re growing up,” Took said
“Yes, not so little bastard anymore.”
The sense of spontaneity has continued despite their adulthood, with the numerous members always finding new ways to create their sound, regardless of venue and space issues.
The real trauma lies with the sound technician at these gigs according to Took, as the band throws them every microphone challenge from under the sun, from prepping banjos to everything in between.
“It keeps it interesting for us,” Took said.
“Personally, I like a smaller stage. It makes me quite nostalgic for the early days.”
The dynamic of multiple personalities within the group was a continual breath of fresh air according to Took, allowing the mood of the group to change at any given time.
For Took, it’s not simply the team, but also the places they go that make his career worth it.
“One thing I love is that we hit a lot of rural areas, places we wouldn’t normally get to experience,” Took said.
Having worked in a bottle shop earlier in his life, Took said visiting the Busselton/Margaret River region and checking out where his former sold goods came from was a priority on his to do list.
Previously described as having a no bulls*** approach to music, Took said the group saw music as what it was, musicians playing something they created.
“A song is a song. You write it, you play it,” Took said.
“Don’t over think it; We don’t try to ham anything up.”
With the help of the internet however, the reach of their no hold bars music is almost limitless according to Took.
“There is no limit to what music should be and who you’re inspired by anymore,” he said.
There is a limit to the capacity of Settlers Tavern however, so head down this Friday to catch Little Bastard squeeze onto the stage at 9pm.