Playing together for a bit over a year, Sydney trio Final Gambit have seized the latter half of 2018 to ramp up the riffs and unleash their punk rock selves to the eyes and ears of the world, most recently with their massive screw you to the desecration of Sydney's cultural identity with their blazing track 'You Sold Our City'.
With the bass-driven boldness of Royal Blood and brashness of fellow Aussies DZ Deathrays, Final Gambit sit coiled to explode into 2019, dragging their frenzied Aussie rock and roll into the next chapter. But fresh off their single launch, guitarist and vocalist Nick Burgmann Sounds Off, chatting gear dreams, fave songs and a secret we're hoping his drummer doesn't read. Interview below.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE SOUND IN THE WHOLE WORLD?
A palm muted open E Chord, get that chug going and the blood boiling.
WHAT'S THE FIRST ALBUM/SINGLE YOU EVER BOUGHT YOURSELF?
I bought the black album by Metallica years ago, I remember chucking it on and being completely blown away by the power of it. It most definitely kick started my love of both Metallica and heavy music in general.
WHAT'S BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE RELEASE OF 2018 SO FAR?
Bloody Lovely by DZ Deathrays. Its got the perfect balance of experimentation / effects, raw rock n roll and interesting tempos and riffing. The pacing and packaging is great too, I love the idea of a record being the soundtrack to a dive bar.
WHAT'S YOUR DREAM GEAR SET-UP? ARE YOU LUSTING AFTER ANY PARTICULAR INSTRUMENTS/EQUIPMENT?
I dream about Troy Van Leeuwens Signature Jazzmaster every night and pray to the Commonwealth bank to hear my prayers and to one day bless me with its holy neck and Ox Blood body.
WHO'S YOUR FAVOURITE AUSSIE BAND RIGHT NOW AND WHY?
I'm absolutely itching to hear Voiid live, a bunch of garage punks with a hell of a lot of 'tude. I'm majorly late to the party on these girls but I'm sure they'll forgive me if I buy a t-shirt.
WHAT'S ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WISH YOU WERE GIVEN WHEN YOU WERE FIRST STARTING OUT IN THE INDUSTRY?
Comfort kills creativity. Once you're comfortable your music will suffer. You need to be pushing yourself all the time to expand your sound and writing, otherwise you sound dated. You can't do what someone has already done, explore why you like the music you do and twist that to reflect yourself.
WHAT'S ONE SECRET ABOUT FINAL GAMBIT THAT YOU'RE WILLING TO DIVULGE?
Final Gambit was the first name I came up with for the band and we ended up disagreeing for 6 months until Lauren gave up and I won. I also haven't paid my drummer yet for rehearsal so that's a secret between you and me.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR FINAL GAMBIT?
We're going to playing as many shows as possible as well as writing some more material. We're looking forward to cutting out teeth all over the coast and growing our sound.
FOR MORE FINAL GAMBIT INFO, HEAD HERE
BY TIANA SPETER