End Of Fashion are back.
Except they never really left, although to South West audiences it might feel like a while between drinks.
Returning this week to Margaret River on a drastically-shortened schedule after COVID-19 restrictions forced them to wipe around 10 tour dates off the map, the band are keen to deliver a high energy live show reminiscent of their early days.
"I'm not really satisfied unless I leave a few pints of sweat on the stage, and Settlers Tavern is just the right sort of place to do exactly that," frontman Justin Burford told the Mail this week.
Bringing with them the fuzz-pop vibe that has made them a favourite on airwaves since the early 2000s and with a new single, Ruby Lips in tow, the foursome are ready to rock with their hometown fans at Badlands Bar in Perth before heading down south.
"In this day and age you've got to be quick and ready to roll with the punches," Burford said.
Settlers is my jam! I'm not really satisfied unless I leave a few pints of sweat on the stage, and the Tavern is just the right sort of place to do exactly that.
- Justin Burford
"Yeah it was disappointing to postpone those dates but we're going to run with our release schedule and put out some new music in the meantime."
With the fumes of a raft of late 90s-early 2000s festival flashback tours still hanging in the air, Burford said he was keen to keep the creative process moving forward.
"I feel like I know now what End Of Fashion sounds like, what End Of Fashion's music really is," he said.
"When I'm writing, there's this conscious thought of 'is this an End Of Fashion song or something else?'
"Positivity really dictates my day to day agenda and these songs have that sound that's meant to be that poppy, upbeat vibe that End Of Fashion has."
Rather than focusing on the hits of the old days, Burford said he wanted to share the latest from the current lineup.
"I'm just not the kind of person to coast on the old days," he said.
"Especially with a band that's been around for a while.
"I feel like I can walk the line between what satisfies me creatively, and also playing some of those older tunes that people really love."
He said the current line up, featuring Julian Dudman, Vanessa Thornton and Nathan Sproule, provided the band with fertile ground for songwriting.
"Rehearsals are my two favourite days of the week these days.
"I just love the feedback and response that comes from playing with these people.
"It's my rule to just demo absolutely everything, and even Ruby Lips was a song that I had put to one side and then Jules was like, 'oh man go back, there's something there, it just sounds like End Of Fashion!'"
Find out more
End of Fashion play Settlers this Saturday September 4. For tickets and info, visit www.settlerstavern.com
Nicky Lefebvre
I am a journalist, photographer and content creator based in the beautiful Margaret River wine region, covering all aspects of our community including local news, sport, entertainment and events, as well as providing a platform for our readers to share their voices direct from regional Australia.
I am a journalist, photographer and content creator based in the beautiful Margaret River wine region, covering all aspects of our community including local news, sport, entertainment and events, as well as providing a platform for our readers to share their voices direct from regional Australia.
