Six Questions for The Grates

The Aussie group The Grates were in LA for the final show of their US tour. Before they flew home to gear up for the release of their forthcoming LP Gravity Won't Get You High, which will be released in the US next month, the band was nice enough to answer some questions for us.

LAist: We are very big fans of yours. Now that you are big stars and loved, will you consider recording your next album in LA? Also why did you record in Chicago and not LA? How did we wrong you? How can we make it up?

Really, it's what have yous ever done to Brian Deck? Our terms were we go where he goes & he wanted Chicago. What then, has L.A. done, to keep him trapped in familiar surroundings? Also, this one time in L.A. I slipped over a bit of grungy wire & it cut my leg. SUE! L.A. home of the rich & famous, home of The Bloodarm *LOVE*. We have done so badly to your band The Bloodarm. Will they ever, ever forgive us? When let them down partying many times due to our impressive work loads & pussy nature of being. How can we make it up to them?

LAist: Patience where do you get your clothes? When will you have your own line?

I get my clothes from second hand shops, that are usually over priced mind you. I hate paying anything over 20c for clothes from a second hand shop & usually end up paying over 20 bucks! I think that one day & will join the Olsen empire & then have a line of clothing called 'Mary-Kate? Patience Ashley!". This would be after I've lost my voice due to excessive talking after shows in loud rooms.

LAist: If you were Britney Spears, wouldn't you have a chauffeur if you were pregnant and had a baby in your arms?

No way! She's a little Aussie battler that one is, ain't she? The other day our band was talking about her & with every passing day we love [Britney] more but we're not really her demographic are we? Sucks, cos if we were her demographic she'd be pampered in big fluffy love! I have friends that are the real life Sperderline & it's a treat to know them. They don't know that's what I call them though.

LAist: Your style and sound is so unique I can't compare it to anyone. Who do you get compared to the most?

Thank you! So you've listened to our album hey?! We get compared to any band fronted by a women. We've even been compared to a band fronted by a very convincing transvestite! My best was, however, this one time somebody compared us to both Nirvana (whom I don't want anyone thinking I'm trying to compare us too, cos they are sacred & un-comparable) & The Lauper by saying "It's as if Dave Grohl & Cyndi Lauper had a liitle girl & now she's all grown up with a rock band of her own, called The Grates". BLUSH! I need to go potty now.

LAist: Patience, you seemed so happy in Austin singing in that little courtyard. You weren't really that happy were you?

No, I'm a fountain of rage! *LOL* Bubbling over! I love being the singer in a band with my two best friends, travelling all over the world meeting incredible people & seeing how the other half live. I love putting on blush & eating out every night! I do, however, despise checking in at airports with all the luggage we have. BAD! We're always taping things up & getting in trouble.

LAist: Was AC/DC Australia's greatest export before you?

Probably. They were HUGE hey!? We've also exported such acts as 'Savage Garden', 'Silverchair', 'Sleepy Jackson', 'Kylie Manogue' & 'Jet'. Oh, 'The Go Betweens', 'Crowded House' & 'Bee Gees', there's quite a few. Plus others I can't remember too.