From Prop to the Presets, Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes are clearly men with polarised creative urges. Where Prop is akin to Tinkerbell playing a harp in the garden of Eden, the Presets are like Prop's slightly sweaty older uncle - dirty, nasty and a lot more fun. But while these two projects couldn't be any more dissimilar, the Presets may never have been created without the existence of Prop. Kind of Zen like really. The forming of the Presets was a seemingly organic process, beginning life at the end of Prop rehearsals back in 2003, when Julian and Kim, feeling the urge to bust out after a long day of ambient melodies, began experimenting with sounds from the other end of the musical spectrum - The results? A filthy fusion of electro and rock that has had them touring all over Europe and Australia corrupting young and impressionable minds with their energised live shows.
The Presets latest tour, promoting the release of their new album Beams, brought them to the magnificent hellhole that is Revolver on a Saturday night in Melbourne, giving them the opportunity to showcase some of their newest tracks to a rabidly enthused crowd. The venue was packed out, and the lads seemed to feed off the energy, starting proceedings with some of their lighter offerings, soon building to a peak with their own "rave" mix of party popper Down Down Down. While the show seemed to lag initially, by the end Julian had whipped the crowd into a frenzy with his on stage antics, while Kim's driving beats kept everyone moving till the conclusion of their set. The crowd loved it; I had a dance then went home. Too bloody tired.
Since I couldn't get in touch with the band before writing this article, here are some Q&A's I pinched from their bio. Enjoy.
YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE: J: When I was a little boy I dreamed that I was standing next to this road that was filled with millions of screaming human heads. My dad drove over them in his white commodore and they exploded like watermelons leaving two long bloodied tyre trails down the road. The other heads kept screaming. Lovely stuff.
K: Evil bugs bunny throwing Monopoly money.
WHAT'S YOUR GREATEST VICE? J: Peeking at woman a having shower in the apartment building next to ours.
K: Sentimentality
WHY WOULD I BUY YOUR RECORD? J: Because you believe the hype and want to be cool, or maybe coz you think the songs are nice, or maybe you bought it by mistake - I don't know, why would you buy my record?
K: A. You have a disposable income.
B. Buying new music makes you feel a part of something new and current.
C. You like the music.
The Presets new album Beams is out on the 12th September through Modular.