Ozzie Hair (The Prize, The Judges, The States)
Last year, Ozzie Hair (The Prize, The Judges, The States) brought us back to our senses with his solo EP Uninsured, which came out of nowhere. Now the Melbourne axe slinger returns with his debut album, Madhouse, a complete wreckage of deconstructed rock ‘n’ roll at full speed. If Uninsured was the warning shot to chaos, Madhouse dives headfirst. The manic charge of riffs, weaponized distortion, and primal stomps hit and bleed from one groove to the next, building relentlessly to their apocalyptic conclusion. Onstage, these songs mutate even further, driven by a live group featuring members of Parsnip and The States that amplify their volatility. In the tradition of The Stooges, Simply Saucer, The Deviants, It’s All Meat, DMZ, Radio Birdman, and Bo Diddley, Madhouse encapsulates what rock ‘n’ roll is, was and always will be about. Forget the trends.
Hot Sounds: Where did you grow up, and how did you first develop an interest in playing music? What initially pulled you toward this creative direction?
Ozzie Hair: I grew up in a small coastal town called Ocean Grove just outside of Geelong up until around 17-18 then moved to Geelong city. My earliest music interests around 7-10 years-old came from home. My dad was a big fan of Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Lobby Loyd and The Coloured Balls. We had the live DVDs so every Sunday afternoon he’d play one or another on the TV loudly. I used to draw and cut out guitars from old cardboard boxes and jump around in the lounge room developing my best Jimmy Page and Elvis impressions when no one was home, ha.
HS: What were some of the musical or even non-musical influences that shaped you early on? Also what were some of the earliest groups you played in pre-Prize?
OH: Some non-musical Influences early on would be skating and surfing, but watching those early VHS tapes and DVD’s opened me up to a lot of great music. I had never been in a band until The Prize. I had always written my own songs from around 17, I would jam them with friends sometimes but nothing ever really came of it.
HS: For the die-hards, what are some super statistics or facts about yourself that people might not know about?
OH: Anything for the die-hard fans if you’re out there, I like to make my own clothes, I also love to paint and draw. I left high school after year ten and worked in construction for around seven years on and off.
HS: How exactly did you get involved playing in The Prize?
OH: My role in The Prize came about from Joe [Imfeld], we became friends through close mutual friends soon realizing we had shared interests in Utes and music. They were looking for a bass player because Jack was potentially pursuing other interests. but it worked out he stayed in the band and they liked the idea of a third guitar. Was awesome to release the In The Red album last year. Lots of time, work and touring went into it from everyone. I think we are all proud.
HS: How about The Judges? What's the story about how you got involved playing in that group?
OH: Zane [Gardner] and myself were working together at Zenith records in Brunswick late 2021-22. We had been friends from back in Geelong and he got me the job up here when I just moved up. We had spoken about jamming on some riffs together. Quickly the band formed and songwriting as a band with all those guys came naturally due to their songwriting and instrument talents. We have also been working on a second album which has been fun.
HS: You're also now playing bassman in The States. How has that experience been, especially with the live shows?
OH: The States live shows have been fun! They’re a super cool group with great catchy songs. It’s been a pleasure jumping in as bassman and working on some new music with them.
HS: What’s the story behind your new solo venture? When and where did you record the six tracks from your debut EP Uninsured?
OH: If there was a story behind it, it could be creating while unsupervised, dropping any contrived ideas just to pursue what feels right in that moment regardless of my past taste or anyone else’s. Leaving as much conscious decision out of it as possible. I believe enough thought goes into other creations out there to be a certain way. I like to create my solo music so It can be anything it wants, But I guess that’s also an idea in itself. I had most of it recorded around the release of Uninsured, both releases were recorded at a home studio and my laptop and phone microphone. All very simple.
HS: How did that EP's opening track "Soldier" and "Dr Dr" come together?
OH: Both songs are from a time in my life when I was a personal carer for my mum due to ongoing illness. “Dr Dr” came from the unfolding of various medical events in and out of hospital and the later repercussions. “Soldier” is about carrying on forward and being a support for someone while hoping they’re alright, the chorus is like an endearing name from a parent “my little soldier.”
HS: What can you tell me about your debut album, Madhouse? What stands out in your memory from putting those seven songs together?
OH: Something that stands out is the excitement I had recording it, a couple of those songs were only recorded once with single takes. I had a mad rush of energy to give to something and it was put into recording those songs.
HS: Diving into specific tunes on the album, what's the story behind "Have You Got The (Guts)"?
OH: “Have You Got The (Guts)” speaks through my construction days, referring to the practice of driving a truck and the lingo that follows and the parallels of the act and life. Ultimately asking yourself if you want to take control of your own life and if you’ve got the guts to do so.
HS: Where did the idea for "Stuck Lovin' You"?
OH: “Stuck Lovin’ You” reflects an awareness I have gained from relationships I’ve had with both friendships and intimate ones, but it also ended up being about the semi-destructive relationship I’ve shared with myself at times.
HS: How did “Don’t Wanna” come about?
OH: “Don’t Wanna” was a really fun and silly song to record. It’s living a life that’s being consumed by obligation, imposed social and cultural ideal requirements then to realize none of the common fits are right for you, but knowing you’ve got to make it work somehow.
HS: How did the near-eight minute title track come together?
OH: “Madhouse” was a hypnotic roll for me. I became obsessed with its strange rhythmic quality, in a ritualistic way I would repeatedly play it over. The riff and the first takes of base tracks I just kept on going, then more percussion and some guitars I didn’t know it was eight minutes until I bounced it months after. Really was one thing after another it grew into a new space I could be in. Lyrically for me, it makes the most sense of anything I’ve written and also the least sense. It’s a nice way to finish the album for its development has been about enjoying it, knowing I have no control over whatever it is and what the final outcome should be.
HS: How has it been performing these songs with your live band, Ozzie With The Hair, that's made up of Stella [Rennex] and Rebecca [Liston] of Parsnip and Georgie [Harkin] of The States? How many shows have you played together so far?
OH: The band’s been so much fun. They’re honest rockers and bring much more to the songs live and have given them a unique feel I never could on my own, which has been a pleasure to see other people enjoy and make them their own.
HS: What's next for you and the bands you play in?
OH: Next for me in life is more creating and all the bands I’m in have a few shows spread out over this year.
HS: Do you have any last words or advice you'd like to share with readers?
OH: Thanks for the interview. Thank you fans and listeners, your support means a lot. I hope you might be out there creating random things of your own.
Madhouse is out February 13th on Hot Sounds (USA) and Lulus Sonic Disc Club (AUS).