Michael: Where did you come up with the name Powderfinger? Is there a story behind the name?
Ian
Haug: When we started the band straight after finishing school, we were
majorly into Neil Young (we still are) and we were particular favorites
of the song “Powderfinger”. We played that song among others of his
amongst our originals. We were at the pub (the Story Bridge Hotel) one
night, and we were trying to think of a name for our band....
Particularly a one word name so that it wasn’t “The......
Something’s”..... We thought if the Rolling Stones can name themselves
after a song, then it’s not such a bad idea. We graffitied it on the
toilet wall....and then that was it. The toilet is gone now... Infact,
the whole building has been knocked down.
Michael: You have often preformed events for causes such as breast cancer. Do you have a favorite cause to donate to? If so why?
Ian
Haug: We choose to work with organizations that come to us with a good
idea as well as it being a good cause. If we can use our public voice
to draw attention to things that people should be looking at, as well
as raising some money for them, then it can’t be a bad thing
Michael: Do you have any pre show rituals that you perform before going on stage?
Ian Haug: Not really..... Perhaps just playing favorite songs on acoustic guitars and having a couple of beers.
Michael: Your song is being used in an upcoming episode of Grey’s Anatomy. How did you get involved with that?
Ian
Haug: Someone came to us with the concept.....and we have never had an
opportunity to get our music to a wide audience in the States.... So we
figured it can’t hurt. Hopefully it will prick some people’s ears up,
and they will come and see us do a gig some time down the track.
Michael: What should fan expect from your Across the Great Divide Tour DVD?
Ian Haug: We did a large combined tour of Australia and New Zealand
with our friends Silverchair. It was in regional areas as well as
cities. It was on a scale that would not have been possible for either
band to undertake alone. It was top fun. Ian Haug: The DVD is filmed
over two nights at an arena. Hopefully everyone digs the performance,
and there is also a DVD of extras, which is pretty funny. Unfortunately
we had to leave off a lot of stuff....... Or we would be in prison.....
Michael: Are there any plans for a Powderfinger tour soon?
Ian
Haug: As soon as we write and record a record in the first couple of
months of 2009....we will be out touring again. Playing live is what we
still enjoy. If there is enough interest in overseas territories, we
will make a trip, but we are keen to get new material out, as it will
have been 2 years since “Dream Days....” came out.
Michael: Do you have a favorite venue that you enjoy playing?
Ian Haug: There are many, many around the world...... Generally large theatres...... Like the Hammersmith in London..... The Enmore in Sydney.....The Forum in Melbourne..... The Fillmore in San Francisco....that size is always good for audience involvement.....
Michael: What is one thing that fans should expect when seeing Powderfinger live?
Ian
Haug: A good vibe, energy, and a range of emotions is what we try and
get across. Pretty much we just try to make everyone have a good time.
We tend to mix up our song choice from our older stuff and newer stuff.
Michael: I know this question is over asked, but who are some of your biggest influences in the music industry?
Ian Haug: Everyone in the band has different ones, but a common thread would be Stones, Bowie,
Creedence, Beatles. Then you have influences from Stooges, to Midnight
Oil, to Joy Division, the Cramps, Crowded House, Otis Reading, The
Faces. Pretty much everything that’s good.
Michael: Have you begun working on the follow up to 2007’s Dream Days at Hotel Existence?
Ian Haug: We all have individually....but as soon as 2009 kicks in... we are into it.
Michael: Do you have specific songs that you love to play live over others?
Ian
Haug: That changes ... But it tends to be the more Epic Songs, with
improvised sections that can evolve during a tour that we really like
to do.
Michael: Thanks for taking the time out to talk to us, do you have anything to say to all of your fans?
Ian
Haug: Just that we are looking forwards to seeing them soon, and that
they ever see us at a bar, that they should come and buy us a beer!!!