In a town on the Mid North Coast of NSW there is a band that is so good they could be referred to as our secret sleeper. AG47 are heavy, they are fast, they are original, and they have a rapping frontman that you need to see for yourself to believe the energy he delivers while on stage. They are quietly building a following and one day soon the world will discover them and they will be our secret no more, but until then AG47 just keep working hard at what they do best making awesome music. The band are busy preparing for their Hard Tropics gig happening in Port Macquarie on the 19th of November so while the boys were taking a break we hit them with some questions about the band, the music they’re making and the influences that got them here.

The AG47 bio says that the band plays a "hybrid of styles" and that you refuse to be placed in a box. For those that haven’t seen you play before how would you describe what an audience will be treated to at one of your shows?

James - Definitely loud guitars with rapid-fire raps. We try to deliver a highly energetic show with fun crowd interaction. Plus our boy Arman kinda jumps around everywhere, getting in his cardio for the day.

What's the formation story behind AG47?

James - It all started with Dean and I jamming and writing riffs together. We eventually formed and recruited a drummer, vocalist, and Oli on bass. We'd jam on some covers and originals maybe once a week or so. Then one day, about a week after losing our vocalist, we met Arman at a party. He picked up a mic and started freestyling to our jams, and it just blew me away! I knew we had something special, so I just basically hounded him to join our band!

And that's it. From there we had the opportunity to compete in the local Battle of the Bands comp under our former band name 'Agapantha'. Things really fell into place for us after that.

You are not the only band or musician to use 47 in your name. What is the significance of the number 47?

James - We're not the only ones to use 47?? Come find us, we'll fight you for it!!

Oh yeah, no real significance for 47. Our band name is inspired by the periodic table of elements, Ag is silver, and 47 is its atomic number. Mystery solved.

“ Living rurally does have its challenges musically, but I kinda like that. Makes you work for it”

— James - AG47

The band's base is Port Macquarie, a town on the mid-north coast of NSW. Do you find not being in a capital city hinders or helps in the band’s journey to success?

James- I'm a big believer in doing your best with what you have. Living rurally does have its challenges musically, but I kinda like that. Makes you work for it, and appreciate it when it all comes together.

We are also lucky that Port Macquarie actually has a thriving music scene. You don't have to go far to experience good quality original live music, and that's because there are so many talented musicians around, plus some entrepreneurial personalities that work hard to make things happen. Port's a good scene!

You are not a covers band and as such play all original material. Are there plans to record and release anytime soon?

James - Yeah! We're getting our shit together to hit the studio with Michael Lynch, the day after our Hard Tropics show actually (hopefully we won't be too hung over).

We'll lay down a couple of new tracks with him, plus we are polishing up an unreleased track too that didn't make it onto the last E.P.

We are looking at expanding our sound whilst staying true to our roots as a band, hopefully, it'll be a good balance.

What are your thoughts on streaming services? Are they helping or hurting the industry?

James - Streaming is here and it's not going anywhere. I miss the days of going into the music store with your pocket money and taking a chance on a new album, that was really special because it was yours! If you discovered something, that was sacred!

Your friend up the road would have an insane music collection and you'd just sit around and listen to it in awe. These days it seems like because all of the world's music is so abundant and easily accessible, it kinda has less value and seems disposable.

But at the same time, streaming helps bands like us easily reach our audience which is really cool. I personally kinda like the fact that, as a music lover, streaming makes music so accessible, you know almost every piece of music ever recorded at your fingertips. It's very convenient but does also take away that spark of discovering something for yourself.

Also, streaming services could probably pay artists a bit more too.

What is the writing / creative process look like for the band? Is it a collaborative process that involves the whole band?

James - It'll usually start with a guitar riff between Dean and myself, and then we'll jam it out with Nick on drums. We record a demo of our instrumental and take it to Arman who has a back catalogue of rhymes up his sleeve. He'll lay down his verses then bam! New song! Oli just rocks up whenever and slaps down a dope bass line.

We'll enter the studio with our tracks and the producer will usually make some suggestions, which is great!

“great flow, lyrically fire, awesome sound in the rhythm and lead sections (harmonised parts, those harmonised minor 3rds always go down well), banging drums”

— James - AG47

What is your favourite AG 47 song and why?

Dean - Currently released, Eaten Up - got a great flow, lyrically fire, awesome sound in the rhythm and lead sections (harmonised parts, those harmonised minor 3rds always go down well), banging drums, love the way they seem to tie in with the guitar parts, and a fucking top notch message, don't do drugs kids.

Who do you credit as your musical influences?

Dean - Jimmy Page, Classic bluesy guys like BB King, and groups like A Day To Remember, Bring Me The Horizon, Amity Affliction, Parkway Drive

Oli - Beach Boys, Custard, Tism, You Am I, Reel Big Fish, Weezer, Dropkick Murphys

James - For me, it started with AC/DC, but I am in love with all rock music ranging from Elvis to Cradle of Filth, but most notably AC/DC, The Doors, Joe Satriani, John Butler, and TOOL. Oh yeah….. I’m obsessed with Amyl and the Sniffers

Where was AG 47's first show? Was it a success or a flop?

James - Actually our first show went down really well! It was a Battle of the Bands heat, and we entered just to have a crack, and we ended up making it to the final and eventually sharing first place! It was definitely a positive experience for us and was a massive driver for us.

Recently you have been playing a lot of festivals or multi artist bill shows. do you enjoy the atmosphere these types of shows provide?

James - Absolutely! They are personally my favourite. I love mixed bills, just purely because of the variety.

Do yo you find these shows introduce the band and your music to new fans and enhance your exposure?

James - 100%. Playing live is the best way to introduce your music to a new audience, and quite often mixed bills bring a good mix of music fans.

“when I saw some guy make a bong out of an eggplant”

— James - AG47

Without naming names what’s the craziest or funniest thing you have seen happen backstage at a concert or festival?

James - Probably when I saw some guy make a bong out of an eggplant

What is the one essential you have to take on tour with you?

James - Sleeping bag!

“As soon as that drop in Chelsea Smile hit me the first time, I was forever converted to a metal head”

— Dean - AG47

What was the first album or song you remember buying or that impacted your life?

Oli - A Dick Dale album called Unknown Territory I got for Christmas one of the first years CDs came out

Dean - Gotta be something like Bring Me The Horizon ‘Suicide Season’, first album I ever really remember listening to that was metalcore, after walking past one of their underground shows in Melbourne and thinking holy shit that sounds fucking mental

As soon as that drop in Chelsea Smile hit me the first time, I was forever converted to a metal head lol (the one after the big long synth section)

James - The first album I ever bought was AC/DC ‘Ballbreaker’ on cassette. I remember I chopped and sold firewood for weeks to save up for it!

Collabs are huge these days so living or dead who would be the ultimate Collab Partner for AG47 and why?

Oli - Eminem or Snoop Dogg I guess, someone to do rap duels with Arman

James - Yeah, that’d be pretty cool. I personally wanted to combine Oz Hip Hop with Aussie rock, so maybe Hilltop Hoods or Baker Boy, with Jet or Parkway Drive…. that’d be the mad note!

In one word describe the life of a musician

James - BROKE

Who in your crew or team deserves a shout-out but never gets one? And what is it they do that keeps your world turning?

James - Our boy Oli on bass definitely deserves a shoutout. He's kind of like a silent assassin, he doesn't even need to hear the song before we play it, he just kinda slides right in and knows what to do! Another thing is he just kinda appears and disappears, you'll turn around and there he is, and the next minute he's gone.

2023 is quickly approaching, what’s in the works for AG47 next year?

James - We are still mapping out 2023. I can say that there is something really cool happening in January for our Port Mac crew, but it's top secret at this stage. We will continue to play to our Newcastle & Sydney friends, plus we are talking to some Canberra & Melbourne bands about support slots, would be great to make it down that way.

Website :https://ag47band.com/

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/AG47band

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/ag47band/

You Tube : https://youtu.be/FU6TIyuT0rI

Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/artist/4cvLoiwgKKYgXBC4gzGNMK?si=NSWRTPdhRgGZAEXwnJ1Hiw