A Quick Chat with Great Job!
Photo: Hannah Badorrek
Congrats on the release of Take Your Meds! Can you tell us a bit more about the song’s meaning?
It’s about breaking things off with someone and initially feeling freedom before being proven that not only was it not only the wrong decision, but a life threatening one. Because it's not about a person at all… It's about that whole romanticized idea that medication is a hindrance to the soul, and that the answer isn't valiantly throwing a bottle of prescription pills into a lake.
How did Great Job! form?
We started in highschool under a different name with James playing drums and played post hardcore stuff. Our lead guitarist at the time was super flakey and never learnt the songs, so I brought my solo stuff to rehearsal one day and we all kinda liked that more. I think I was the only one into all the screaming.
You’ve been busy on the live scene lately! What’s your favourite show you’ve played so far?
I think the first time we played with Smith Street was very very special to us. It was the first moment of feeling like a real band, and to play alongside the band who got me to pick up a guitar in the first place was pretty crazy. There’s a very funny photo of me out there from when Wil brought us onstage in their final song.
Which album do you have on repeat right now?
Gotta say Crying, Laughing, Waving, Smiling by Slaughter Beach, Dog. It reminds me to be happy and appreciate the little things. AND You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To by Knocked Loose for all the same reasons.
What show are you bingeing at the moment?
I would say Severance but realistically I’ve been watching hours upon hours of Balatro streams.
What was the first gig / concert you ever went to?
I went to A Day to Remember when I was like 13, I wasn’t allowed to go alone so I dragged a friend along who only kinda liked their stuff and I lost him in mosh pretty quickly.
What’s plans for 2025?
For the band? It’s the standard things yknow: release an album, tour around the country, sleep on hardwood floors and play shows with my heroes. But for me, I’m gonna reach out to my friends more, call my mum, and appreciate what I've built around me.