Dead Letter Circus say no fracking

Dead Letter Circus make a statement in Lismore.

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Brisbane's Dead Letter Circus rolls into the UniBar at tonight night fresh from a month in the United States. NATALEE RIEDEL caught up with guitarist ROB MARIC.

What have you guys been doing?
We’ve [just finished] travelling the United States playing shows all the way from the west coast to the east coast and then all the way back. That’s 29 shows in 30 days. Average drive time of seven hours a day. Intense!

What can we expect when you play in Lismore?
We left as boys, we shall return as men. Expect beards. Thick beards.

Your Aussie tour is called the No Fracking Way tour – it’s a reference to coal seam gas mining. Is it important for musicians to be aware of global issues?
It’s important to everyone. The planet is descending into complete self-destruction.

Musicians have a fortunate position of influence so it’s a good opportunity to just say to a large amount of people “hey, check out this topic”. I respect artists more than politicians so when they speak, I tend to listen.

Music-wise what can Lismore expect?
A sick rock show!

Are you living the crazy life of a travelling band?
Mildly crazy, but it’s very exhausting. We’d just jump in the van at 6am for a 10-hour drive to Kansas for a show. This same process [has happened] every day for three weeks.

Do you follow the adage what happens on tour stay on tour, or can you share some secrets?
We bought some BB guns at a service station. We’ve been taking turns shooting each other.

They hurt! Kim shot Tom in the head and we all decided it might be time to put the guns away for a bit.

Anything further you want to say to your fans?
We can’t wait to get home. We are homesick. I’ve never eaten a “shrimp on a barbie”, but I think it needs to happen when we get home.

Dead Letter Circus does its bit for the world at SCU’s UniBar in Lismore tonight. Tickets from $20-$30.