C.O.F.F.I.N
Interview with Ben Portnoy
Children of Finland Fighting in Norway, or C.O.F.F.I.N to their friends, are Ben Portnoy, the tub-thumpin’ vocalist, Abijah Rado and Aaron Moss, on guitars and backing vox and Kosty on the 4-string thing and backing vox, and formed as schoolmates in 2005. All hailing from the sunny climes of Sydney, the band was bought together by a common love of Rock’n’Roll, skateboarding and shenanigans. Since playing their first show at the age of 12 opening for The Hard-Ons, the band have turned the Australian Rock‘n’Roll scene on its head, coming a long way from those heady salad days in the process.
C.O.F.F.I.N’s reputation for unhinged live shows is now well documented. They’ve toured and shared stages with the likes of Rose Tattoo, T.S.O.L, Celibate Rifles, Dead Kennedys, Cosmic Psychos, Parkway Drive, Frenzal Rhomb, and the Misfits, to name but a few. Following their lap of this little blue marble, Earth, with their cobbers, Amyl and The Sniffers, they hit the studio, capturing that magic on their most recent LP – ‘Australia Stops’. Released through Damaged Record Co in Australia, Bad Vibrations in Europe and Goner Records in North America.
C.O.F.F.I.N are set to give the globe another what-for later this year and have decided to grace us with a whirlwind tour before they depart. Bad Batch caught up with Ben to for a chin wag before he hits the road…
Ahoy, hello! Thanks for having us!!
Is the new local tour a chance to get match fit for the European tour?
We just got back from a run in Europe and the UK, so I feel like the fitness is up! Except for Kosty who came back with pneumonia… He probably needs to re-up.
You've been mates since high school. Who has the most annoying habits on the road?
We’re all angels and love each other…
Some people snore demonically. I let off one of those powder fire extinguishers in the hotel room last tour. Won’t make a habit of it.
Have you experienced the prodigal AC/DC effect yet - where you go to Europe, get a name and come back to Australia and get treated differently?
I suppose a bit. Seeing you play to a huge festival crowd overseas definitely grabs a bit of surprise and notice from folks back home.
Europe seems to champion bands no matter their standing, as opposed to lopping the taller poppies like here in Australia. With a foot now planted in both camps, what have your experiences been?
Yeah, maybe there’s a bit of that. We’ve always had a steady and committed growth in our fan base. We’re super lucky, people seem to get turned onto us and stick around. Real good word of mouth stuff. But I think we all need those proximity shifts sometimes to show us what we love out our back door.
KISS has beaten you to the punch with the C.O.F.F.I.N merch. What merch ideas would you steal from Kiss?
Pinball machine. KISS RULE! “First I drink, then Iiiiiii smoke…”
Black Sabbath wrapped up last week. Was Bill Ward an Influence on your drumming? Can you see C.O.F.F.I.N on the blue rinse circuit in 2075?
No surprise, Sabbath have been, and are, massive in terms of turning us onto what we do and how. Bill Ward’s space and groove continues to fascinate and challenge my approach to Rock drumming. His entry in War Pigs… Woooowhheeeee!
Bit cringe, but I remember years ago dootsin’ a pinga at a Sabbath show and thinking, “Fuck yeah, I wanna make this my life…” So maybe we’ll be up there in 2075. Footage from that was pretty grim but.
How do you sing and keep that swing?
Only Wolfgang from Stiffies has the answer!
What drew you to the Legless label?
We had recently met and become pals with Stiff Richards. Actually, it was at our debut Geelong River Rocks performance where we both played! It was Covid times and this label that was looking like they’d put our new record out bailed on us last minute. I had noticed this Legless label associated with Stiffies and asked Mawson and Gaz from the band what the deal with it was. It was them! A DIY passion project Mawson was running out of his garage. I gently floated the idea of putting out our abandoned recordings, and without hesitation Mawson confidently told me over the phone, “I don’t even need to hear it, I’d be so stoked to put it out!” Been best mates since. xoxoxo
Who is the Sydney King? Does the city get to vote?
It’s a blast at a combo of crooked sorts that would like to believe they’re top shelf in town but are slimy thumb sucking creeps. A vote on that would be quite revealing…
Your album ‘Under The Influence’ featured a song ‘I Don't Need A Girlfriend.’ Does this sentiment still stand with you all?
Hahaha, made that one up while walking home from a house party we had snuck into on the beachfront when we were 12… I sure as shit was years away from having a girlfriend.
With your ‘Bernard Fuckhead’ song, are you Fanning the flames of QLD band hatred or is it about the one true ‘King’ of Pot Luck?
I’m sure he’s alright. That fucking song though - ‘Wish You Well’ - absolutely tormented us when it was released.
Are you working on a new album?
It’s pretty much done!
Best places to play in Australia/Europe?
Geetroit, Harbord Bowlo, Vera, The Tote, Basque Country.
What's been the biggest show here and abroad?
Do festivals count? Probably Meredith here, and Azkena Fest in Vitoria-Gasteiz. About 10 years ago when we first took ourselves (and no clue) over to Europe and the UK, we played to 3 people in Essex. And the first time we came down to VIC it was to the other bands in St Kilda.
Things have certainly turned around now. We recommend you all jump on this latest run of pub gigs post haste, because it won’t be long before a stadium is the only place you’ll be able to see this incredible band. It all kicks off in Geetroit, August 7th.
Thu, AUG 7 - Barwon Club, Geelong/Djilang
South Geelong
Fri, AUG 8 - Theatre Royal, Castlemaine/Dja Dja Wurrung Country
Castlemaine
Sat, AUG 9 - Singing Bird Studios, Frankston/Boonwurrung
Frankston
Thu, AUG 14 - Vinnies Dive, Gold Coast/Yugambeh
Southport
Fri, AUG 15 - Koala Tavern, Capalaba / Quandamooka Country
Capalaba
Sat, AUG 16 - Kings Beach Tavern, Kings Beach / Gubbi Gubbi
Kings Beach
Then onto WORLD DOMINATION!!!
Get your tickets through Oztix.
Photo: Dougal Gorman
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