Edward Guglielmino

THE THIN KIDS ARE AN INTERESTING PROPOSITION; ARROGANT, IRREVERENT AND ALMOST CERTAINLY AN IN-JOKE THAT WILL PERPLEX AS MANY AS THEY AMUSE. DAN CONDON TRIES TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON.

The band proclaim on their MySpace page “we’re better than you”, but vocalist Everett True explains that this is most likely being taken the wrong way.
“My apologies for that tag-line, I hope no one has taken offence at it: it was an in-joke that got out of hand,” he starts. “It was actually me telling Ed G [fellow band member Edward Guglielmino] ‘I’m better than you’ when we were arguing over who should be lead vocalist. As I’m rock royalty, I always refer to myself in the plural. He sings like a strangulated cross between Robert Smith and Peter Gabriel with a back ache. I don’t. I rest my case…”
Lyrically, the band often use their songs as a platform to take pot shots at Brisbane and the music scene in which they currently exist. Guglielmino gives us an insight into the writing process.
“Everett likes to pretend he writes the lyrics down but really after to green teas he starts ranting and raving and I just hit record and try to play along!” he says.
So what are these crazy cats planning to do next?
“Our debut album is planned as a Sarah Blasko tribute – her songs sung the way we know she really wanted them to be,” True quips. “Our second album will only feature musicians given an 8.3 rating, or higher, in Time Off. We are already taking applications for groupies of all sexes.”
Application submitted. Though, for the record, Time Off uses a five star rating system for our album reviews. But we’re flattered nonetheless.
WHO: The Thin Kids
WHERE & WHEN: The Troubadour Wednesday Feb 24
The Original Q & A

1. What was the fundamental reason for forming The Thin Kids?

Everett: “We were shocked and disgusted at Australia’s new status as the most obese nation in the world. We felt it was time someone took a stand against it. Us, in fact. Plus, we’re well aware that Arts QLD has been trying to promote Brisbane as the new cultural centre of Australia, and felt that there was no possible way this could happen without some of the city’s leading creative lights taking a more proactive, participatory role. We’re generous that way. Also, we miss the thrill of casual sex that rock stardom inevitably brings.”

Ed: “True and I have also been on a hardcore milkshake diet to try to loose weight. We exercise once a week before rehearsals. Everett has lost 5kg and I’ve put on 5kg. Everett didn’t explain that I was supposed to drink special diet milkshakes. I formed the band with Everett to help my music career since we’ve teamed up my music has appeared on a host of file sharing sites marked “LOLROTG – check out this Robert smith loosers music Everett True 4eva” posted by JohnstonCobain. ”

Maggie: “I decided that I didn’t have enough to do in my life.”

2. With a lengthy story about your formation that seems to stretch the truth, a tagline on your MySpace that says “we are better than you!” and some decidedly lo-fi recordings – are you actively looking to attract backlash?

Everett: “My apologies for that tag-line I hope no one has taken offence at it: it was an in-joke that got out of hand. It was actually me telling Ed G “I’m better than you” when we were arguing over who should be lead vocalist. (As I’m rock royalty, I always refer to myself in the plural.) He sings like a strangulated cross between Robert Smith and Peter Gabriel with a back ache. I don’t. I rest my case… as to the charge of lo-fi: was Elvis called lo-fi because he recorded on two tracks? The Beatles because they used four? We use state-of-the-art technology: it’s not our fault that the rest of the world hasn’t caught up with us.”

Ed: “I let Everett sing after he locked himself in the bathroom and said he wasn’t coming out until we let him sing. As for who is the better singer out of the two of us. You be the judge ”

Maggie: “I don’t know about the other guys but I’ve always wanted to be in a fist fight. I wouldn’t say we’re actively looking for backlash but, hey, if something comes along, I’m ready.”

3. How has the response been to the group so far?

Everett: “Varied and supportive, from ‘an in-joke that shouldn’t have been let out’, to ‘Mr True should stick to his writing’, to ‘fuck off, you Thin Kids cunt’ (spoken in person to Ed G in Starbucks). We are not dissuaded from our goal of enriching the masses’ doubtless grey and humdrum everyday existence. We are fully aware of the green-eyed devil called jealousy.”

Ed “The starbucks thing was interesting because behind the skater kid who heckled me was a Twitter follower of mine. The twittered to me that she saw the whole thing but I didn’t check my twitter till after I’d left. My manager Ben told me if I don’t quit the band soon he’s going to stop managing me. He said that Everett is damaging my career in a way that can not be revearsed. ”

Maggie: “We have a silent member in the band called Dougie. He’s contributed to the engineering of the recordings and he starred in our first film clip. His fanbase on facebook is at 70 members and climbing, so yeah, I’d say the response is going well so far.”

4. Where do you find you draw the majority of your musical and lyrical influence from?

Everett: “The streets and supermarkets and weather conditions and nightclubs and street press writers of Brisbane, a city rich in cultural inspiration and appreciation. Personally, I find the golden carrot of casual sex and the thrill of public humiliation motivators in themselves: ever since my star quit shining as a critic, I miss the routine scorn and approbation heaped upon me daily by talentless musicians.”

Ed “Everett likes to pretend he writes the lyrics down but really after to green teas he starts ranting ad raving and I just hit record and try to play along!”

Maggie: “Trial and Error”

5. What can we expect from your live show?

Everett: “Music to bring a tear to the eye of even the most hardened of Powderfinger fans.”

Ed: “I told Everett I’m not playing a single show till we sort out money. He’s trying to claim the songs as his own but I’ve written most of the melodies and lyrics. He’s gone and booked three shows behind my back. I’m not ruining my career for free. I’ve told him I’ll need $500 a show and a large rider. He either hangs the phone up or locks himself in the bathroom and cries about how famous he was and all the bands he’s played with in the past”

6. What are your plans for the rest of the year?

Everett: “Our debut album is planned as a Sarah Blasko tribute – her songs sung the way we know she really wanted them to be. Our second album will only feature musicians given a 8.3 rating, or higher, in Time Off. We are already taking applications for groupies of all sexes.”

Ed: “I’m being evicted I haven’t made rent the last few weeks and the people in the apartment below have been complaining about the noise when we make when we work out,  argue and rehearse. Also Everett hangs outside the complex after each rehearsal begging for change for the bus home to the gap. So I plan on living in a box and regretting the nail in the coffin of my career.”

Maggie: “Who said you were all invited?”