Devastations

Interviewed By: Chris DePaul

Date: 2007-10-15

Devastations is a three piece troop comprised of Tom Carlyon (guitar/vocals), Hugo Cran (drums), and Conrad Standish (vocals/bass). Originating in Melbourne, Australia, the trio released their self-titled debut album in 2003 to a welcoming reception in Europe. With a growing fan base throughout the continent, the members chose to reside in Europe and create their second album in 2005 entitled Coal. The exceptional ratings and reviews garnered from a variety of publications pushed Devastations into the limelight, both in Europe and back in their home country, and were eventually picked up by Beggars Banquet (The National, St. Vincent) to release their 2007 album: Yes, U.

Conrad Standish, the band’s vocalist and bass player, discusses with foundinthemargins the books he read when he was too young and the authors he can’t get enough of now.

“I read a great deal as a kid and would pretty much read anything, even if it didn't particularly interest me. The first thing to really grab me was probably The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton. Then, of course, I wanted to read all her books, which I did, but Faraway Tree remains my favourite. I also read a lot of Roald Dahl. Pretty typical kid stuff, but I loved it all.

“The first book to really shock me was The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks, which for some reason my folks let me read when I was 10. I read about half of it recently and was amazed that I was exposed to that stuff at such tender years. I think I may have been better off with the Choose Your Own Adventure series.” The Wasp Factory is a first-person narrative about a young teenager named Frank Cauldhame who turns to acts of violence and strange daily rituals in hopes of achieving serenity in his life.

Moving forward a few decades, Conrad discusses the books and authors he is currently enjoying: “Right now I'm reading A Confederacy Of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole, which I'm loving. Ignatius Reilly has to be one of the most singular characters in modern literature. It's really hilarious. Before that I read The Possibility Of An Island by Michel Houellebecq. I really got into Jonathan Lethem last year - Motherless Brooklyn in particular.

“[Haruki] Murakami I love. He's so magical and romantic. A lot of crime writers, like Jerome Charyn, Jake Arnott, Dashiell Hammett, as well as all the old pulp stuff. Celine was a big one for me -- Cocteau as well. Oh, and Denis Johnson, who may actually be my favourite writer ever.”

Declaring that he doesn’t view himself as an overtly academic lyricist, Conrad can still identify the authors that have left marks on his writing: “When I started reading Flannery O' Connor and that kind of stuff, I remember wanting to rip her off.”

Devastations’ Yes, U release is available for sale on Amazon and their upcoming tour dates can be viewed on their website.

Purchase Books
You can purchase the books recommended by Devastations here.

Links:
http://www.devastations.net