Features
Thursday, 19 November 2009 08:11
Written by Phil Boyle

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Aussie dirty folk band, The Tom Budge Band, hit Shanghai on Thursday night for two nights, that's Thursday and Friday, at Glamour Bar. The sound check has just been done and the word on the street is that they sound "fantastic". Should be a cracking couple of gigs, just don't expect the theme tun from Neighbours...

Tom's noted Neighbours alumni include Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue, not to mention such legends as Stefen Dennis and Craig McLachlan, How does it feel to be in such exalted company?
Embarrassing. They're a bunch of naughty rats and Tom does not acknowledge any social or professional ties to said 'legends'.

Can you play the soundtrack to Neighbours? And have you ever played it in a set?
Tom played it backwards once, and strangely the words "Paul is alive" kept recurring. We simply couldn't play it in the set. There'd be riots.

Is this your first appearance in China?
Yes. Well, Ollie's been to Kunming on a school band trip once and Tom went to Hong Kong and Macau with his Mum on holidays when he was 16. But, ostensibly, yes.

How did you end up playing in Shanghai?
It's been a long and winding road to get here, having been spotted by Renata Roberts [from Glamour Bar] playing gigs at the Melbourne International Film Festival a couple of years ago. This led to us being invited to play over here, a conversation that began in December last year and has been developing ever since.

Any idea what to expect from the Chinese audience?
Confusion? But, ultimately, deep adoration. We hope.

Got any Chinese numbers lined up in the set list then...?
Tom could sing Happy Birthday in Chinese if he had to. We're really hoping no-one chooses to celebrate their birthday at the Glamour Bar while we're here...

What's the weirdest gig you've ever done?
We got booked for a gig and didn't realise until just after we started playing that it was a Neo-Nazi pub. We played a very short set and had a very fast exit.

Stop the rumors now... Are you going to be playing Angus Young in the biopic about AC/DC frontman Bon Scott?
If and when they get around to making it Tom will be there with Hells Bells on.

You describe your music as 'Dirty folk" - so that's music about a bunch of tramps then...
Well, we rarely write about ourselves, so that's not entirely accurate. It's more the way it's delivered.

All the Tom Budge Band promo material describes you as 'angry'... Who's the angriest in the band?
Ollie's the angriest by far. He hits things with his hands for a living. And now he's even angrier that we said he's the angriest.

Can we expect smashed guitars, symbols being thrown into the crowd and you guys trashing the Glamour Bar?
We won't be smashing or breaking anything as we simply can't afford it. Though we would be willing to smash anything that's brought to us. No responsibility will be taken.

So, if I'm a newcomer to the Tom Budge Band experience, what are we really to expect this weekend from Tom Budge Band?
The truth. Well, the relative truth. According to us. You can expect to leave with full hearts, empty pockets, and the sun beginning to rise.

Tom Budge Band. Thursday and Friday November 19 and 20, Glamour Bar (6329 2751) RMB 150 including an Absolut Vodka drink.

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