Your name:
Green.

Where are you from? (city/country) 
Moved from New Zealand to Melbourne in late 2005.

Your sound can be described as? 
Electro, synth pop.

Fill us in on the history - where did your band/act start, what changes and developments have happened along the way and where are you now?
Starting up, The Greenmatics came out of necessity. I was the original vocalist for NZ band The Shocking Pinks. Being in that band ended rather abruptly and I became frustrated about not being in a band and having to rely on other people, so I loaded up my music software, asked a few questions about how to use it when I got stuck and then started making tracks. I quickly realised that I’d have to write them alone because relying on others proved too difficult. Writing tracks was the easy part, finding a band to play them live was really hard, so I moved from Christchurch to Auckland, went through a couple of lineup changes and then stuck with a bassist and guitarist long enough to do a Nationwide tour of NZ. [We played] lots of local gigs, received a nomination for Most Promising New Act in the 2005 bNet Music Awards, got heaps of airplay, got our music videos played on TV etc. Then I moved to Melbourne alone, [I] have done a few gigs [and I’m] getting a bit of airplay; found a great lineup, got a song on a NSW compilation CD called Circuit Breaker and that’s where we’re at right now. The lineup has Gordo on bass and Ant on an electronic drum kit and myself on vocals/synths.

What’s your earliest memory of developing a passion for music?
Dancing around in front of my parents and pretending I was an opera singer.

Your influences (musical, political etc) and why?
Music that you don’t have to think about. Catchy, fun songs that make you feel good and make you want to dance. Also, Ladytron, New Order, Pet Shop Boys, Miss Kittin, Duran Duran, Midnight Juggernauts, Cut Copy, The Presets.

What’s your Mum or Dads favourite record/song and why do you love/hate it?
Mum used to listen to The Eurythmics a lot back in the 80s and I still really like them because the songs are interesting, Annie Lennox is a terrific vocalist and there’s something kind of intriguing about them perhaps.

Most memorable gig you’ve played and why?
Playing a gig in Christchurch while on our Nationwide Tour. It was very surreal going back to where I lived for so long and playing in front of people who thought of me as a band photographer and not a musician (In Christchurch I was a band photographer for years and years and I almost forgot that I was a musician first, everyone else completely forgot I was a musician and just thought I took photos and that was it).

What’s the most naughty thing you and/or the band have gotten up to on tour? 
Stealing other bands riders. The driver for our tour crashing into a parked car while sober. We’re pretty well behaved I reckon. It’s all about the music.

Do you drink? And if so what’s your favourite rock n roll recipe? If you don’t drink would you care to elaborate as to why?
OK, well I’m trying to be healthy, so I drink gin now. 

What you need:
Bombay Gin
Diet Indian tonic water
Diet limejuice
Lime
Lemon
Ice
Large glass

Make it to taste and you have a damn fine drink.

What was the first record that you ever owned and tell us the story of how it came into your possession and why you loved it?
I’d have to say it would be a Kylie Minogue tape.  [I] loved it at the time because she was on Neighbours and all little girls wanted to be her.

What’s the best thing about the music scene you are involved in and why?
Everyone helps everyone. There isn’t as much competition as there was in NZ.

What’s the worst thing about the music scene you are involved in and why?
Everyone smokes cigarettes in bars. [It’s the worst thing] because it makes me really fucking sick and I have to stand outside at my own gigs.

How did you get involved in the music scene you find yourself in now?
I checked out a lot of Australian bands on MySpace, got in touch and we’re organising gigs.

Any parting words?
Never give up.