After slaving away on it in solitude for years, today Brisbane rock four-piece Tape/Off release their epic third album ‘Fort Sensible’ into the world!
Guitarist/Vocalist Ben Green took some time to delve into some of the music and artists that, either consciously or otherwise, seeped into their new collection.
“Being in a band is partly an excuse to talk about music you like with your friends. The tour van is a place of shared enthusiasm, discovery, and argument. In the practice room, we’ll often name new songs after a band we’re trying to copy, but if you glimpse those names on our setlists you might scratch your head when you hear them.” Ben said.
Here are some favourites that were in the air when Tape/Off made ‘Fort Sensible’.
Fugazi – Cashout (2001)
This band has been a constant for us. Their ethic is inspiring and their output is deep enough to keep conversations going for years. This time it would be their final album, ‘The Argument’, with its subtlety and close musical interplay, from people who’ve played together long enough to be themselves in an organic whole. This song is pertinent today when having a home is less certain than it should be.
Gilla Band – Lawman (2014)
Sometimes “writing a song” means riding a groove – or a specific bunch of noise – for a long, long time. It’s one of the ways we wrote this album. Gilla Band keep that in the finished product, and you never get even close to bored.
Aerial Maps – Back In The North Country (2021)
THE band for long drives in the lands called Australia. Wide open space in the music, and finely rendered human moments in the words. One time we got to play with them in Sydney, after listening to their music the whole trip, we might have affected the atmosphere by shouting along with our many favourite lines. Get onto it right now if you don’t know it – it’s a beauty.
Kim Deal – Coast (2024)
In music, 2024 was the ‘Year of the Horn’. Definitely in hip hop, but elsewhere too, including this classiest contribution from tour van favourite Kim Deal. We’re really happy that making ‘Fort Sensible’, we took the time for all the touches we imagined for the songs, including guest vocals from Maddie Keinonen (Dumb Things, Renovators Delight) and piano by Ben Revi (Ghost Notes, Mousseline). Also horns on ‘Flat Earthers’ by Luke McCallum (Ghost Notes, Autocomplete). Obviously inspired by hearing The Saints’ ‘Know Your Product’ hourly on the 4ZZZFM News, but we were pleased to fit in with the zeitgeist.
Shellac – I Don’t Fear Hell (2024)
Shellac are another constant for Tape/Off, musically and sonically. They are kind of Brutalist, in their honest use of raw materials to construct machines for living, but songs not buildings. ‘Fort Sensible’ was recorded (built) at Incremental Studios by Cam Smith (bass/vocals), who nailed that vibe as well as thick concrete basslines.
‘Fort Sensible’ IS OUT NOW – BUY / STREAM HERE
TAPE/OFF
‘FORT SENSIBLE’ ALBUM TOUR
Tickets on sale now via www.tapeoff.net
09 MAY – Iron & Resin Garage, COOLANGATTA
10 MAY – Soapbox Beer, BRISBANE
w/ Velociraptor, Blankettes + Special Features + Mr Finn
16 MAY – The Lansdowne Hotel, SYDNEY
17 MAY – La La La’s, WOLLONGONG
w/ Miners + Sover
23 MAY – The Crown & Anchor, ADELAIDE
w/ Dental Plan
24 MAY – The Gem, MELBOURNE
w/ World Sick
With thanks to Coolin’ By Sound
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