screensaver on the Random Phenomena that Influenced 'Decent Shapes'

screensaver make muscular and rhythmic synth-punk in the mould of Siouxsie & the Banshees and The Cure. The Naarm-based band’s second album, Decent Shapes, is rooted in the band members’ experiences living in an affluent country in a time of rampant, alienating neoliberalism.

screensaver will take Decent Shapes on tour throughout November, playing shows in Canberra, Port Kembla, Sydney, Ballarat, Castlemaine, Nambour, Brisbane, Eudlo, Warrnambool and Adelaide. To coincide with its release, guitarist and synth player Chris Stephenson tells us about the daily tasks and random objects that influenced the record.

screensaver: Decent Shapes

Day Jobs

Chris Stephenson: They sure eat up a fair chunk of life. The repetition of a life spent working underpins a lot of our lyrical themes. The act of making music is in big part a remedy to the monotony of full time jobs.

Tama Swingstar Drums

Chris: An absolute tank of a thing James scored just before tracking. The record’s sonic foundation with a sweet, sweet mirror finish on the kick drum resonator head.

The FUNK.COM Van

Chris: We had the opportunity to hit the road in the states for a couple weeks before completely finishing the record, which gave us a chance to really get to know the songs in a live setting and make some adjustments when we got back. The van was borrowed from a generous friend’s band. They’d got it second hand from some real estate company that had FUNK.COM emblazoned in very large lettering on the sides and across the roof. Very comical vehicle to show up to gigs in.

Buttonpusher

Chris: The spot in Preston we did the majority of tracking with the fine wooden walls. Julian Cue did a great job situating his mobile rig in the space and also providing his home studio for overdubs and mixdown glory.

Bag of Coins

Chris: Though it didn’t make it onto the record, our original bassist Giles contributed greatly to the sound of the band as well as the LP. There was a memorable moment at the end of a tracking day where we mic’d up a large bag of change Giles was holding and then shaking with delirious enthusiasm. In the age of software with infinite track capability, it’s good to be unafraid to try anything that comes to mind.

‘Assassin with Son’ from Shogun Assassin

Chris: The bassline here is the inspiration for what ended up on ‘Signals.’ It’s one of those pieces of music that’s stuck with me since I saw the film years ago. A rolling bass line in a minor key always delivers a great mood.

screensaver’s new album Decent Shapes is out now via Poison City Records & Upset the Rhythm