Our Chat with Chimers

On a hot afternoon in October, Emma and I arrived in the back streets of Mount Saint Thomas, to the beautiful family home of Padraic and Binx. Their children were playing soccer in the front yard, not stopping to announce our arrival, shouting out “Someone’s here!”. They seemed used to it. As we unpacked our gear from the car, they were waving and greeting us from the front door. I felt more like arriving at a friendly catch-up, a holiday or a family reunion than to an interview.

For some, this may not seem like a typical introduction for one of Australia’s best punk outfits. But it was in the home studio of this house during the lockdown of 2020 that Chimers was first formed. Both veterans of the Australian and Wollongong punk scenes, Padraic Skehan and Binx unite in a powerful duo. Their debut album “s/t” is post punk brilliance, full and bright with noise, rhythm and passion.

 In anticipation of the release of their new album Through Today, Emma had organised to speak with Binx and Padraic about the record, and I was clever enough to convince her I should also come and film. I am a big fan of Chimers.

The album’s second single and opening track 3AM is one of my favourite Chimers’ songs. Padraic’s voice and guitar soar with echo and reverb, with Binx’s unique driving drumming sitting at the centre. In the interview, Binx talks about this song as one of the highlights from the making of the album, and her uncommon experience of singing. Her vocals in the song’s second half create a conversation with Padraic’s. Their echoing melodies compliment and mirror each other. This song, more mellow and thoughtful than most of the first album, can show what makes Chimers so special and mean so much more than just their punchy punk sound. It is always a conversation between Padraic and Binx, an expression of the connection between them.

Before this interview, I looked up to Chimers for the great music they make and their captivating live performances. After this interview, I was more aware that these are people to look up to, people I look up to, not only as musicians but as people.

To be so welcoming and friendly to a group of kids trying their hand at it is reason enough. Emma, in her power suit and 70’s glasses, brimmed with excitement and confidence but I was quite nervous to be invited to talk with such great figures of the scene, especially in their own house.

Sitting with them in their living room and learning about them, it felt so genuine and wholesome, my nerves were instantly eased. Hearing Binx’s contagious laugh at Padraic’s quick quips, their kids running around out the front, their dog asleep at their feet, the interview showed the band as they are: a family.

Thanks to the amazing Chimers, Padraic and Binx, for the interview and the opportunity. 

WANDERER: To all fans of Wanderer. My name's Emma. I'm here with Chimers, the band who are from Wollongong, in their house. I haven't told 'em this yet, but we're starting off with a round of quick fire questions. Don't think, just say.

Padraic: That sounds easy. Yep, let’s do it.

It depends on the question — Have you seen Grease 2?

Binx: No.

P: No.

Three songs you're loving right now.

B: Totally Unicorn - Parrot.

P: The New ‘Miners’ single.

B: And Jack Beast.

Will you marry me Binx?

B: Yes.

Do you like pfeffernusse?

P: Who? No idea.

Smooth or crunchy or allergic?

P: Crunchy.

B : Crunchy.

Punk-rock duos are now banned. You need a third member. Pick a fictional character to join Chimers.

P: Uhhh... Deckard from Blade Runner. Got a nice coat. He gets things done.

Binx?

B: Yeah.. I don't know!

Okay. Should we leave it at Harry Potter and move on? 

B: (Laughs) Yes, pass, pass! 

Padraic

Binx

You've got your new album Through Today coming out on the 8th of November. How are you feeling?

P: Good!

B: Yeah. Very good.

P: Now that it's done. It's been a long wait, so..

B: Yeah, almost a year since we recorded.

P: Which is not long in the scheme of things, generally.

How does the feeling you have now compare to when you were releasing your debut s/t? If you can think back to then.

P: We didn't really know what we were doing, we did everything ourselves with the first one, it was completely self-released.

B: — and I remember that we were so busy at that time, with everything else, there wasn't a lot of time for thinking about it. The first album was made just coming out of Covid, so we were getting back to normal and the kids were younger and we were doing it all ourselves, so it was definitely busier.

P: Yeah and now, we've got some labels helping us, so there's a little more… pressure's not the right word, but I suppose we're keen to “make it work”.

What does a day in your life look like in the lead up to your album coming out?

P: Hm, a day…

B: Like any day?

P: Well, we're doing a bunch of interviews at the moment, that's for sure - hello!

There's definitely more interest in the album before it's come out this time around. We would’ve played maybe five, six gigs when we put the last album out and we've been very busy the last few years. There's been a lot of kind of back of house stuff too that we're getting done. A lot of work goes into it. I'm trying to think of something exciting to tell you! But on a day to day, in general, we'll be working, doing the thing, work and kids. Then, Chimers just interjects maybe 10 times during the day.

We're interested to know where you recorded your album and with who.

P: We did it at Stranded in Bellambi.

We know it well!

P: Of course! Well, we did it at Stranded, and we did it with Jonathan Boulet. He's the drummer in Party Dozen.

Do you have any interesting stories about the creation of this album?

P: Um, interesting. I mean, interesting for who? (Laughs).

Well, it all happened pretty quickly. We had booked five days in the studio. It ended up being done in three. I think Binx was done in a day. Most of the songs were the first take.

And with writing, were you writing over an extended amount of time?

P: Yeah we were, but we definitely had six, seven weeks before the recording where we were just hammering the last bits. Put it this way, we were out there one day and I said to Binx, “You don't feel like jamming today, do ya?”. She was like, ”No”. But, then we did!  

B: Yes! There was a lot of that, a lot of work went into those six weeks. We were gigging a lot then too, I think we did seven shows in the week leading up to recording —  it was busy.

Wow, lots of practice.

P: Well, time is money in the studio. We just wanted to be ready

Oh, of course. You've also got some snazzy album art for this one - can you tell us about that?

P: It's actually a picture of our kids. So, in Ireland we have handball, but it's not like handball here. It's played kind of like squash, but with your hands, if that makes sense.

No rackets involved.

P: No, no rackets involved. It's played in a court like in the photo, a handball alley we call it. This one is actually really close to where I grew up. We were taking a walk with the kids when we were over there a couple years ago and I took that photo and I liked it. I like how we know it's them, but you can't really see them. They're kind of both turned away a little bit.

Well, I love it. What else can you tell us about the album? What it's about, its identity.

P: I got asked this last week too, and I wasn't sure. I wouldn’t say there's any theme or whatever. The identity is maybe the sound. The sound is better on this album. That's why we chased Jono to do it 'cause he recorded Body Type and Loose Fit and I just always loved the drum sounds on those records. That was a major factor in trying to get Jono to do it. Hopefully the songs are better. Hopefully we're evolving as a band.

B: I’d say they are a bit different. You'll hear it in the next single especially.

P: The next single is a bit mellower. Binx sings it.

B: I remember you saying in the radio interview the other day that some of those songs off the first album are a bit like being in a therapy session. Whereas this record was a bit of a different feeling - a bit of a different place.

P: Well, I said that, and then I went back over this album. I was like, you know, it's not too far off either.

B: So, for Padraic, he's in a therapist meeting. He's talking to a therapist every time.

P: That's my therapy. In this album I consciously tried to not make every song a therapy session, but I think out of the 10, maybe I succeeded on two or three — maybe.

Hey, you gave it a crack.

P: That's it! Had a crack at it. Third album, I might get to four songs, who knows.

So when you say you are treating your songs like a therapy session, you mean you are unloading a lot of emotion into the music?

P: Purging some stuff I need to purge — and it is helpful! Well, it's helpful until you realise, “Oh, we're playing again and I'm singing this again and I'm going through this all again”. 

Then, you get to the point where you think “I feel good about all that”, but you have to keep singing it, you have to keep going through it after it all. At that point, you think, do I change the lyrics? Just change the lyrics as we go? I could just do that.

I like that idea. What are you most proud of with the album? Is there a certain track or aspect you worked hard on to achieve?

B: For me, it’s the next single that is coming out. Padraic was singing the lead on it originally but just before we recorded it, he suggested that I do it. So, it is quite different from what we've done in the past. I didn't wanna sing on it 'cause it doesn't come naturally to me so I'm really proud of that song and how it came out. But, I'm curious. It's gonna be interesting to see what people actually think.

Have you played that one live yet?

B: Yeah, a couple of times. We played it in Melbourne and in Sydney just recently.

And Wollongong gets it big time, we know. 

B: Yeah, but we've only played twice this year in Gong, haven't we?

W: What’s the story there?

B: Dunno. There just haven't been any gigs that jumped out, and we've been busy with the album and the kids. You don't wanna play too much in Wollongong.
P: I think the Gong needed a break from us. We played a lot last year.

You don't wanna oversaturate the market.

B: Yeah, because we've got a show coming in December. That's our third Wollongong gig this year, isn't it?

P: Yep, and then we've got a launch in January at La La La’s.

Is that the 31st?

B: Yes! Someone's done their research

P: Just off the top of your head. I like that.

Speaking of, what are you most excited for right now... in general?

B: I'm looking forward to tonight. We’re playing with Party Dozen tonight in Sydney.

P: Then we're off to Jakarta tomorrow for a week and a half on holiday, so I'm pretty excited about that. Then when we get back, we've got a bunch of good gigs lined up for the end of the year. We’re going over to WA.

B: Never been to WA.

P: We're doing some gigs with The Saints and there'll be famous people there. We also get to piggyback off of that tour. We're doing Fremantle with The Saints and then we have shows of our own as well in Perth and elsewhere.

While you are over there, when you're going places, how do you manage touring with a young family at the same time?

B: They're old enough to make their own dinners and look after themselves. They're fine, we just leave them here (laughs) Independence, you know. They held their own bottles.

Independent from day one!

B: My parents help out heaps and they like spending time with them. We bring them with us as well when we can.

While, we're talking about your kids. How do they feel about having rockstar parents?

B: You could ask them

P: You could ask them! I dunno if they see it that way, though.

They seem kinda busy at the moment.

B: Actually, Charlie did say that he's listened to the new singles. And... what did he say, Padraic?

P: He said, "They're actually good”. So, it's a big compliment. The poor children live in a band meeting pretty much all the time.

B: And band practice. They hear us all the time too, 'cause we've got the jam room out the back. But, we're their parents still.

P: Still telling them “Don't touch that. Put that back. I'm grumpy.” You know?

Well, you guys - obviously - you're both punk rock veterans. Are there any bands new or old that you take influence from?

P: Oh yeah. Too many. Too many to mention. Well, even locally, Miners , Salmon 50, Freezer, Pictures with Yuki, Misso. Love all that stuff at the moment.

B: There's some really good bands in Wollongong and I just love what they're doing. Padraic went to a House show a couple of weeks ago.

We were there!

P: Oh, you were?

Did you see their bathroom? They had a really nice bathroom at that house. It's a really nice deep red. 

B: Yes. Well, we love all that and we're definitely keen to do one of those house shows. But ourselves, we are really influenced by bands like Fugazi, Wipers and Hüsker Dü, anything and everything. But it's not like when we started we said, oh, let's do a band that sounds like this. We just kind of write.

P: Sometimes it's just a reference point when you're writing. I've got new songs in the works and it's called Lungfish 1. But you listen to it and it's nothing like Lungfish, but it's something to us. You can't help being influenced by everything.

W: So you are well acquainted with a bunch of young bands in the local scene. What do you have to say to them, looking at a career in the music industry? Any advice?

B: Oh, good luck!

P: Get a job!

B: I think with what all those bands are doing and all the stuff that comes with it, just keep doing that. Just be who you are, do it without going, "We want to make it, this is what we're gonna do" - without being an image. Whatever it is, just keep doing it. There's some terrible music around. Oh, don't film me saying that. (Laughs)

Too late! Well thank you guys so much! Thanks for letting us in the front door. Thanks for letting us come and talk to you. I really like you guys.

P: No worries! Thanks for your interest.

B: Yeah, thank you! Sometimes, we don't have a lot of exciting things to say.

Hey, we're not looking for whoever can say the silliest joke or tell the best story. It's more personal than just that.

B: Yes, of course.

Photos and Interview by Emma Burne

Film development courtesy of Crown Art & Design

Words by Lewis Gardiner