Poltergeist 9000 or P9 as deemed by the local Novocastrian population, have been playing shows in Newcastle over the last year like live music is going out of fashion. They’ve brought a signature fast-paced style and sound to the scene that’s unrivalled and show no signs of slowing down any time soon. After the recent release of their second album, I Can See Pam and Her Legendary Hands, the electro-punk duo have taken their act across the country, creating moshes in Tasmania, leaping from stages in Sydney and boogying backstage in Brissy (to name a few). During their recent shows, they have played with much loved punk band CIVIC and fellow OnlyBands alumni Love Banana. I caught up with them for five quickfire questions at the Croatian Sports Club in Newcastle before they went up to play a sweaty summertime punk mini-fest that was starting to brew.
Poltergeist 9000 (P9) are:
- Cal Griffiths (Vox)
- Jaxon Micallef (Vox)
1. In the day and age of Bluetooth systems and wireless technology what makes you turn the Radio On?
Jaxon: I think if P9 is playing on the radio, turn it on. If we are not, turn it off.
Cal: Only turn the radio off only because P9’s not on.
OB: So, do you think radio is obsolete these days then?
Cal: I think radio is sick and it’s a dying medium, but you know everyone’s has a podcast so yeah but bring back radio.
(Editor’s note: Including us!)
OB: Radio could be good again.
Jaxon: I think the older I get, the more I like the radio. I’m always listening to music, I’m always curating music, I’m always making music, so just having the ability to not think about what I’m listening to and just kind of funnel in all these different sounds, I actually really enjoy it.
OB: It can be a way to find new music sometimes too.
Jaxon: Hundred percent.
Cal: Good shit, shout out Newcastle Music Show!
2. Can you describe a situation where you felt like you were wearing a Jacket Made of Nails?
Jaxon: Well, the song Jacket Made of Nails, it’s kind of a metaphor of what people would do for fashion, what people do to look good, what people would do to please other people. So I think we all wear jackets of nails, you know, we all bleed to look good and we all try to impress and I think you know that’s the enemy.
OB: So, everyone’s wearing a jacket made nails?
Jaxon: Hundred percent everyone does.
OB: I like that.
Cal: I agree.
(Everyone nods in agreement)
3. You’re about to play a show and you haven’t eaten all day where you going where you going that’s Dirty and Cheap in Newcastle?
Cal: HJs, HJs, HJs.
(That’s Hungry Jacks for those who have never heard it called HJs)
Jaxon: Realistically probably going to Ezy-Mart and getting like- a bag of chips or something. You know, I don’t want to eat too heavy, don’t wanna fill up before the set, don’t wanna spew up. So, we do a little bag of chippies from the Ezy-Mart.
Cal: Jaxon’s an original chippy guy and I like a salt n’ vinegar.
4. The journey of Poltergeist 9000 began back in Tasmania, have you been wished Godspeed on your journey from then until now?
Cal: I was born with Godspeed!
(Laughter ensues)
Jaxon: I’d say, you know, the families always being there, but you know, I couldn’t say the same for maybe the community and the other bands.
OB: How about now after being in Newcastle for the last two years. How do you feel you’ve been received?
Jaxon: I think have been received really well. I think it’s very similar to Tassie. Everyone’s kind of doing something a little bit different from each other which makes us kind of all stick together and play together and grow to love each other’s music. Be more open, and it keeps away the clique-iness, and I think you know that’s been appreciated by us and it ends up working in our favour ‘cause everyone that stands out kind of does well in Newcastle.
OB: Everyone stands out for their own thing.
Cal: Yeah, their jackets made of nails.
5. Who is your celebrity Doppelgänger?
Cal: I used to get the bassist from The Strokes a lot from my mates but now that I’ve gotten older and much more handsome – I don’t really see it. I’d probably say like Ryan Gosling, but I’m losing my hair, so probably Vin Diesel.
Jaxon: Or maybe the guy from The Young Ones.
Cal: I get that all the time on Tinder and Hinge. Everyone is like you look like the guy from Young Ones. I also get the chick from the 100 gecs, Laura Les. She looks exactly like me in a shot. Shout out 100 gecs!
Jaxon: I used to get…What did I used to get?
(Cal laughing as he remembers Jaxon’s doppelgänger)
Cal: The guy from Cat in the Hat, the stepdad… Alec Baldwin!
(All agree)
Cal: Dave Grohl when he had long hair or Jack Black.
Jaxon: Jack Black, I get a lot – yeah.
Cal: Like that time at the Milty.
Jaxon: Let’s not talk about that.
(Cal laughs)
Jaxon: I’d say Jack Black.
(Cal agrees)
Jaxon: Thanks man.
Poltergeist 9000 went on to perform another electric show with an audience member proceeding to do a backflip on stage at some point during the set. You can listen to I Can See Pam and Her Legendary Hands below, and if you see P9 on a bill near you, do yourself a favour and find a way to the show!
