Terrible Truths is a three-piece band from Adelaide, South Australia, made up of Rani Rose on guitars/vocals, Stacey Wilson on bass/vocals and Liam Kenny on drums. After their first show in February 2010, Terrible Truths quickly gained a reputation as a key part of the burgeoning Adelaide underground with solid live shows characterized by shared vocal duties over repetitive grooves and reverb-laden guitars. As well as shows split between Australia’s cities of Adelaide and Melbourne (including a Rose Quartz showcase and the all-star lineup of Maggotfest), they have supported Sun Araw, Thee Oh Sees, Eat Skull, Love of Diagrams and Chicago-based band Deerhoof.
Their debut EP, a self-titled 7-inch, came out in late December 2011 on Adelaide record label Small Town City Living. Combining their influences of post-punk/funk bands such as Pylon, Delta 5 and ESG with the riot grrrl sensiblities of Bikini Kill and Huggy Bear, Terrible Truths create short and simple pop songs with minimum fuss. Imagine a little melodic, riddled-out Grass Widow mixed with some snarled-up Bush Tetras—a Grass/Bush hybrid, if you will.
Pop ‘stache caught up with frontwomen Wilson and Rose to ask a few questions.
Pop ‘stache: What are your names, instruments you play and an interesting fact about another member of the band?
Stacey Wilson: I sing and play bass, but we’re swapping around now so a bit of guitar, too. An interesting fact. … [Rose] was trained in transcendental meditation as a child, which, I assume, is the method she uses to block out my incessant whining and complaining. She’s got a mental wall against bad vibes. Incredible!
Rani Rose: I mostly play guitar but sometimes bass, and I sing. Apart from our band, [Wilson] also has three solo projects: Rites Wild, Comfort Zones and Regional Curse. We are loners, together.
P ‘s: What’s the strangest venue or gig you’ve ever played?
SW: We’re from Adelaide, which is pretty much the definition of strange, so most shows in our hometown could be categorized as such. We just got back from New Zealand, where we played the amazing Camp A Low Hum festival. It was strange in a completely awesome way. We played in the middle of the day under the beating sun next to a lagoon in a valley surrounded by fern covered mountains. It was kind of like playing in Jurassic Park.
RR: Same, not necessarily strange, but Camp A Low Hum was incredible; [it’s] such a great feeling to stare into the perfect blue sky whilst playing a show.
P ‘s: Were you influenced by any old records or tapes? Which ones?
SW: When I was a kid, my parents only had a few decent records, notably Fleetwood Mac and Creedence [Clearwater Revival], and I thrashed them hard. I collect records and tapes—not in a major obsessive-nerd way, but when my budget allows it. Most of the music I listen to and collect is late [19]70s/early ’80s post-punk and no wave, riot grrrl, ’60s girl groups and current Australian bands, of which there is an abundance of gold.
RR: We love to collect records; some of my favorites are from ESG, Delta 5, Pylon, Altered Images, Bikini Kill, Bush Tetras and Tom Tom Club.
P ‘s: What is the most memorable concert you’ve ever attended?
SW: Probably because it’s still fresh in my mind, Camp A Low Hum. It was insanely chilled-out and entirely douchebag-free, which I didn’t even realize could be a reality for a festival. Second to that, it’d have to be seeing Partyline in Adelaide a few years ago now. Our old band supported, but I failed to say hello or construct a sentence because Brat-mobile were pretty much the shit to me as a teen. I was overwhelmed. It was such a fun show!
RR: I’d have to say Camp A Low Hum as a whole. I’ve never really been into festivals, but Camp was mind-blowing, the combination of the surrounds, the music and the atmosphere was incredible, an experience I’ll definitely never forget.
P ‘s: What are a few items essential to your tour-survival kit?
SW: A book, portable music device, disposable camera, anti-histamines, spare pair of glasses.
RR: Earplugs, iPhone/iPod, comfy pants and a sense of humor.
P ‘s: What is the worst advice you’ve ever been given?
SW: Oh, man. I don’t know. Something along the lines of, “Music is a nice hobby, dear, but if you study hard, you could be an accountant.”
RR: To only think positive thoughts (my parents are hippies). I think that anger, outrage, sadness, etc., are really valuable emotions, and more often than not, that’s how things are changed for the better.
P ‘s: If I could have (blank) for eternity, I would be (blank). Fill in the blanks.
SW: Unwavering self-confidence/cheering.
RR: If I could have my cat Kiko for eternity, I would be a pretty happy camper.
P ‘s: Have you always wanted to play music?
SW: Yes, I did, without question. I’m pretty much a complete failure in every other aspect of my life. Not to say I’m succeeding at music, but it makes me very happy.
RR: Definitely!
P ‘s: If you were to communicate using one word, what would it be?
SW: DERRR.
RR: Bollocks.
P ‘s: What can we expect from the band in the future?
SW: We’ve got a split 7-inch with our favorite band (HisseyMiyake) coming up next, so we’ll do an Australian tour together to launch it. We’re currently writing tunes for our debut album, so I suppose after that comes a world tour, global domination, etc. You know, the usual.
http://www.facebook.com/terribletruths
Terrible Truths/Hissey Miyake split
