1. Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?
Yes, we can. We're writing new songs and planning a short European tour with Arabrot for the spring. We're also restarting Eolian Records, the label that put out the first few Rabbits records, so we're putting together a release schedule for the year.
2. How would you describe the musical sound of the new album and how it differs from previous recordings?
Moonshine metal, cave rock, sludge punk. The newer material is a bit shorter and tighter. After recording Lower Forms we we made some gear changes and switched to a smaller practice space, so that definitely had an effect on the kinds of songs we were writing. Plus we recorded Bites Rites in a small basement studio with everyone isolated and separated whereas for Lower Forms we recorded together live in a big room and only overdubbed the vocals and solos.
3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
Evolution, our relationships with animals, outer space, the duality of man, how things fit together, wondering why we bother doing anything. The songs are intended to be simple enough for anyone to understand but open to many interpretations. We like when they lyrics are a bit ridiculous, and frequently the lyrics allude to lines from old popular songs. Of course, most of this is probably lost on everyone because we're screaming almost all the time.
4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?
We wanted something simple that also wouldn't ordinarily be associated with what we were playing. And, you know, animal names were hot nine years ago. Now we kind of think of it as branding us as commoners: we're everywhere!
5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage perfromance?
We've had a lot of great shows in Portland. One of our favorites was years ago with Kingdom of Magic at this little bar here called Tube. It was packed and everyone was for whatever reason very wasted and the place turned into some sort of chaotic collective head banging creature. So that was cool. Our stage performance is pretty physical, sometimes a little out of control, and usually a least a little wet with not too much talk.
6. Do you have any touring plans for the future?
As mentioned earlier, we are planning a European tour with Arabrot for this spring. We hope to get out to the East Coast for at least a few shows later in the year.
7. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your newer album by fans of underground music?
About the same as the last record: some people think it's a perfect blend of all that is heavy, noisy, and weird, some people think it's derivative and not really anything special at all, and some people think it sucks. The weirdest criticism we must know that only a small number of people are going to be into what we do, so why bother doing it. That's who we're doing for, idiots.
8. Currently you are signed to Good To Die Records, how did you get in contact with this label and how would you describe the support they have given you so far?
The owner Nik put on some good shows for us in Seattle and when we heard he had started a label we asked him if he wanted to put a record out for us. Nik is a tireless promoter and a nice guy too. He's done things like get us this interview! He might have a bit of bulldog in him, which comes in handy for timid creatures like us.
9. Are there any other musical projects besides this band or is this a full time line up?
It's a full-time line-up. We've been known to jam with friends of ours around town, but this has been our main thing for about nine or ten years now.
10. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?
Probably harder and at least sometimes faster, as that has been our tendency. It'll definitely get weirder because now we've built up a sort of sonic vocabulary of things we do as a unit and so we can permute them into all different configurations and run them through the rabbitizer. We'll likely release a few shorter records before we release another LP, but we'll see.
11. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Noise rock, hardcore, punk, heavy metal, space and drone rock, good old rock 'n' roll. We're digging locals Drunk Dad, Honduran, Fist Fite, Gaytheist, Tiny Knives, and a bunch of others. We're all listening to "INVASION 12" the twelfth hilday mix CD that KG has made for all his friends. It's got lots of good soul, one each by Bowie, Eno, and Roxy Music of course, Tony Williams Lifetime, and some other cool and kooky shit.
12. Outside of music what are some of your interests?
You know, drinkin', hangin', checkin' out the ladies. We enjoy the great outdoors in the summer and the even greater indoors in the winter. Art, comics, books, guns, motorcycles, weed, not in that order.
13. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
If you stick with something long enough you'll eventually get pretty good at it or pretty sick of it. Then you'll know what to do.
Yes, we can. We're writing new songs and planning a short European tour with Arabrot for the spring. We're also restarting Eolian Records, the label that put out the first few Rabbits records, so we're putting together a release schedule for the year.
2. How would you describe the musical sound of the new album and how it differs from previous recordings?
Moonshine metal, cave rock, sludge punk. The newer material is a bit shorter and tighter. After recording Lower Forms we we made some gear changes and switched to a smaller practice space, so that definitely had an effect on the kinds of songs we were writing. Plus we recorded Bites Rites in a small basement studio with everyone isolated and separated whereas for Lower Forms we recorded together live in a big room and only overdubbed the vocals and solos.
3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
Evolution, our relationships with animals, outer space, the duality of man, how things fit together, wondering why we bother doing anything. The songs are intended to be simple enough for anyone to understand but open to many interpretations. We like when they lyrics are a bit ridiculous, and frequently the lyrics allude to lines from old popular songs. Of course, most of this is probably lost on everyone because we're screaming almost all the time.
4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?
We wanted something simple that also wouldn't ordinarily be associated with what we were playing. And, you know, animal names were hot nine years ago. Now we kind of think of it as branding us as commoners: we're everywhere!
5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage perfromance?
We've had a lot of great shows in Portland. One of our favorites was years ago with Kingdom of Magic at this little bar here called Tube. It was packed and everyone was for whatever reason very wasted and the place turned into some sort of chaotic collective head banging creature. So that was cool. Our stage performance is pretty physical, sometimes a little out of control, and usually a least a little wet with not too much talk.
6. Do you have any touring plans for the future?
As mentioned earlier, we are planning a European tour with Arabrot for this spring. We hope to get out to the East Coast for at least a few shows later in the year.
7. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your newer album by fans of underground music?
About the same as the last record: some people think it's a perfect blend of all that is heavy, noisy, and weird, some people think it's derivative and not really anything special at all, and some people think it sucks. The weirdest criticism we must know that only a small number of people are going to be into what we do, so why bother doing it. That's who we're doing for, idiots.
8. Currently you are signed to Good To Die Records, how did you get in contact with this label and how would you describe the support they have given you so far?
The owner Nik put on some good shows for us in Seattle and when we heard he had started a label we asked him if he wanted to put a record out for us. Nik is a tireless promoter and a nice guy too. He's done things like get us this interview! He might have a bit of bulldog in him, which comes in handy for timid creatures like us.
9. Are there any other musical projects besides this band or is this a full time line up?
It's a full-time line-up. We've been known to jam with friends of ours around town, but this has been our main thing for about nine or ten years now.
10. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?
Probably harder and at least sometimes faster, as that has been our tendency. It'll definitely get weirder because now we've built up a sort of sonic vocabulary of things we do as a unit and so we can permute them into all different configurations and run them through the rabbitizer. We'll likely release a few shorter records before we release another LP, but we'll see.
11. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Noise rock, hardcore, punk, heavy metal, space and drone rock, good old rock 'n' roll. We're digging locals Drunk Dad, Honduran, Fist Fite, Gaytheist, Tiny Knives, and a bunch of others. We're all listening to "INVASION 12" the twelfth hilday mix CD that KG has made for all his friends. It's got lots of good soul, one each by Bowie, Eno, and Roxy Music of course, Tony Williams Lifetime, and some other cool and kooky shit.
12. Outside of music what are some of your interests?
You know, drinkin', hangin', checkin' out the ladies. We enjoy the great outdoors in the summer and the even greater indoors in the winter. Art, comics, books, guns, motorcycles, weed, not in that order.
13. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
If you stick with something long enough you'll eventually get pretty good at it or pretty sick of it. Then you'll know what to do.
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