The Sparrows are causing a commotion ? this rising rock ?n roll four-piece from Melbourne are garnering the sort of attention that most bands crave. In the last little while the word-of-mouth has got out, with the Sparrows? gigs turning into must-see events, with the crowd eagerly chanting back the lyrics to the thus far unreleased songs.
"It was really surprising when it first started happening and even more surprising that it keeps happening," outlines guitarist/frontman Michael Badger. "Now we have people coming up to us on the street saying ?I saw you play? and it?s like ?how?d you hear about our band? We?re not even on the radio yet!?, and it feels pretty good. That?s one of the things I?m looking forward to the most ? to be driving in the car, turning on the radio, and we?re there."
Speaking of which, the self-titled EP lead track "Where Do You Wanna Go?" will soundtrack the Sparrows radio assault, with its rambunctious energy nothing short of infectious. But as can be heard on the melancholy country lament of "About My Game" or the hollering closer "Heroin Boy", the Sparrows are only just getting started on their musical career.
Rock ?n roll is all about the good times ? so it comes as no surprise that the Sparrows have their basis in the high school friendship of Badger and bassist Tim Wheatley. After early attempts at setting fire to rock?s essence failed to ignite, it wasn?t until Dylan Boyd teamed with the terrible twosome in mid-2004 and the addition of powerhouse drummer Brett Wolfenden in early 2005 that the Sparrows really started to gel.
"Probably just about any band in the country would like Brett on the drums," gloats vocalist/guitarist Michael Badger. Since then the group have gone from strength-to-strength: they?ve honed their sound through a succession of increasingly frantic and buzzing live shows over the course of four or five months, culminating in the band releasing their debut self-titled EP in early March.
"You?re practising a lot, and writing a lot, and once you get the results back it feels really good," he beams of the finished recordings. As time has gone by and Badger?s writing has expanded to collect new ideas, the band?s style has strayed away from early influences to find satisfaction (even Mick thinks it?s achievable these days, it would seem) with their own inimitable energy. As excited as the band are about getting back in the studio, with tentative plans to record again in the middle of 2006, it?s playing more live shows that thrills Badger the most.
"It?s the intent of the band that keeps everyone going, and it?s what turns the crowd on as well," he explains.
Now?s the time for the band to step out of their comfort zone of Melbourne, first hitting Sydney and then the rest of Australia, with their eyes firmly set on the world in times to come.
