NEWCASTLE’S funk-inspired S.H.R.I.M.P fist came together in 2015 and is the fruit of the Newcastle all-ages scene.
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“Being so exposed to bands in the local area and the local media, it’s just something most kids want to do,” guitarist and vocalist Anthony Buckingham said.
“And when you are as lucky as I am, to have such talented friends, it just makes sense.”
Some band members where in the same year at Hunter Performing Arts School.
“It originally started as a trio,” Buckingham said. “I added some great musicians to the line-up.
“That allowed me to play less guitar and move around on stage a bit more.”
The band’s music brings “a funk groove” together with a “punk philosophy.”
“I really enjoy loud abrasive music like Captain Beefheart or Can and stuff like that,” Buckingham said. “I like to get people away from bopping their heads to moving their hips.
“The punk element is where I draw a lot of the ferocity and the shouting and the screaming.”
However, the lyrics are more “introspective”.
“It’s [the lyrics] less disillusioned with society and more disillusioned with myself,” Buckingham said.
“The content definitely varies but I am influenced a lot by writings of the individualist philosophers and authors, and the existentialists.
“So, people like Herman Hess, and Aldous Huxley, Alan Watts. Those kind of people really influence what I like to write about.
“The feelings that arise when you are left by yourself.”
The rest of the line-up sees Teleah Riordan on saxophone, Dom Serafin on drums, Jimmy Jones on bass guitar, Taylon Bragg on lead guitar (not in pic).
Shrimp recorded the eight track EP Lentil Scars in 2016.
“I just recorded it in my bedroom at home,” Buckingham said. “It sounds pretty dated now.”
The title comes from a scene performed by the Aunty Donna comedy group.
“They have a video where a guy is grieving over his wife who died at an Indian restaurant,” Buckingham said.
“He grieves through witty puns and playing with words, one was ‘I’ve got lentil scars’.”
Shrimp is currently recording its follow up with Byren Sawell.
“He has a great ear and he is a really talented guy so I am really looking forward to seeing how they come out,” Buckingham said.
The recording has a working title of Rental Cars and is expected to be released before the year’s end.
The band will perform at Newcastle Music Week on August 8, the venue is yet to be announced.
Follow them: facebook.com/shrimpau
