Following the announcement of a national tour this October, Peter Bibby has delivered his latest creation, a single titled Long Baby. The first official single from the maverick poet’s second studio album Grand Champion out now via Spinning Top Records (POND, GUM).
Long Baby is an ode to Bibby’s ex partner’s devotion to sleep. “It is a high energy song about the problems that arose from her extensive slumber: hunger, impatience, anxiety – these are but a few of the afflictions I suffered before knuckling down and penning this tune,” says Bibby of the track.
A bastard of an album that is lucky to see the light of day, Grand Champion was recorded largely in Perth and features lead track, Work for Arseholes recently performed on Tonightly With Tom Ballard. “The recording of the album was interrupted by a gruelling return trip across the Nullarbor from Perth-Melbourne in a car that would have been better as a storage container, taking two months rather than the expected two weeks. This was only one of many setbacks with the completion of this record however we got there in the end,” muses Bibby.
For the latest instalment of Bibby true-blue charm and storytelling, the Perth singer-songwriter will tour the nation backed by the disorderly Dog Act. Gallivanting across Australia and overseas, Bibby has collected a legion of faithful supporters wielding his 2017 single Medicine and debut album Butcher/Hairstylist/Beautician. The cunning wordsmith has also taken the stage at BIGSOUND, St Jerome’s Laneway Festival and SXSW, performed a co-headline national tour with Melody Pool and supported mates The Murlocs and The Peep Tempel.
Ahead of the tour, Peter Bibby kindly pondered a musician profile for us.
What was your first guitar?
It was an old Japanese SG copy made by Sakai that my parents bought me for Christmas when I was 15. I loved it to bits but one day a friend knocked it over and snapped the headstock off of it. I held on to the parts and later built a Frankenstein guitar out the body and some of the hardware, using a spare neck I had laying around. I still have it.
What was your first band t-shirt?
It was a NOFX “Are musicians lousy lovers?” t shirt. I was 14.
A record that changed your life?
Not really a record but after my older brother fed me many bucket bongs at age 15 I watched Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock and it gave me a big stiffy and I decided then and there I would play guitar forever and ever. I had been dabbling in guitar before that but that’s when I got serious about the strum.
What’s your main guitar now?
A Chinese made Squire Telecaster which I have modified quite heavily over the years. My good friend Billy gave it to me at age 19 after my house was broken into and all my guitars were stolen.
Through what amp and why?
Fender Hot Rod Deluxe is my amp of choice due to it’s sheer volume and cut throat tone. It’s nice and compact and it’s a sound guys nightmare. I love it.
Which pedals are your standards?
I used nothing but a Danelectro Daddy-O for years until I killed it. My friend and bass player in Dog Act, Strawberry Peter Leveson-Gower made me a replica which is far superior. I run another fuzz pedal of his (you can buy his pedals, they are great, search Legba Elektroniks on facebook). I also run an MXR Blue Box for heavy sludge vibes, a gain pedal and an analogue delay. So, 4 fuzz pedals and a delay, basically.
What gigs have you been playing lately?
Absolutely none. Been laying low for a few months getting ready for the upcoming tours.
Most memorable gig?
There have been many notable gigs over the years but I will say when I played Wave Rock Weekender and completely burned my bridges with the organisers by doing more of a wasted comedy set rather than a musical set. I don’t remember it well but I recall taking the piss out of many people, barely finishing any songs and breaking several simple rules outlined by the organisers. I have never been invited back.
Worst stage nightmare?
A wave of PVA glue pours over the stage, engulfing me and sending me to my death.
What gigs are coming up in the next few months?
I have a week of shows in the UK with my dear friend Nick Allbrook, then straight onto a tour around Australia with my Dog Act for the entirety of October.
A guitar tip for the kids?
If it sounds good to you, it’s good. Make it your own thing. Don’t worry about the rules.
PETER BIBBY’S DOG ACT NATIONAL HEADLINE TOUR
Tickets on sale now
Thursday 4 October – Workers Club, Geelong VIC
Friday 5 October – The Curtin, Melbourne VIC
Saturday 6 October – The Waratah Hotel, Hobart TAS
Thursday 11 October – Rocket Bar, Adelaide SA
Friday 12 October – Badlands, Perth WA
Saturday 13 October – Prince Of Wales, Bunbury WA
Thursday 18 October – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane QLD
Friday 19 October – The Northern, Byron Bay NSW
Saturday 20 October – Miami Shark Bar, Gold Coast QLD
Wednesday 24 October – The Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle NSW
Thursday 25 October – The Lansdowne, Sydney NSW
Friday 26 October – Strawberry Boogie @ UOW Uni Bar, Wollongong NSW
Sunday 28 October – Transit Bar, Canberra ACT