Stan’s Days
Australia’s own Skyscraper Stan has once again joined forces with his band The Commission Flats to deliver ‘Those Were Days’, an album that has already made huge gains in various charts around the country including a number one spot on the ARIA Australian Country Album chart. With an album tour in full swing we thought now was a great time to catch up with Stan to ask him about the new body of work, the importance of Government support for our musicians and his early days as a ‘Glassy’.
For those that haven’t heard your music before, how do you describe your sound?
It moves around a lot. I write songs chaotically, so a finished record often swings between different “genres”. Having said that, we’re a guitar band with lots of vocals and a bit of horn, so most reviewers put us in the country/soul/alt-rock space. The latest album is certainly leaning further towards the soul than previous efforts. I think it’s the best we’ve sounded.
Stan, you have recently delivered your third studio album with your band and longtime collaborators, The Commission Flats. Tell us about the new album? Is there a theme for the album or is a mixture of different inspirations?
The album is called Those Were Days and it takes its name from a track that reflects on my days of pure hedonism. They were good times! The theme of acknowledging change runs through a lot of the songs - whether it be recognising the passing of time or confronting the ecological crisis we’re living in. There’s also a song about the internal change that comes with acknowledging different ways of seeing and knowing - something that I struggled with until I fell in love with my incredible wife who helped me expand my rational world view. I’m still hopelessly empirical and need evidence for everything, but I’m less of a mansplaining dickhead about it. Naturally, there are plenty of love songs on the record.
“We belong on a pub stage - that’s where we really thrive”
What did the recording process look like for ‘Those Were Days’?
We recorded the bed tracks at Head Gap studios in Melbourne. A truly wonderful space that has, tragically, since burned down. Ultimately we’re a live band. We belong on a pub stage - that’s where we really thrive, so we tracked everything live and then took the stems to our drummer’s shed to overdub the vocals. Aside from a few auditory seasonings, all the songs are just the band playing live, warts and all.
Do you have a favourite track from the album or one that is particularly special to you, either because of its subject matter or due to the creation experience?
They are all special for their own reasons and as a whole, making this album was the most rewarding musical experience I’ve had in my career. The band collaborated on all the arrangements and production choices. We didn’t have a producer in our ears telling us what to do. It was all organic and collaborative and beautiful.
“Now that humanity has landed in the floating garbage patch inferno that is the logical end state of neoliberal capitalism wherein all labour (including that of musicians) belongs to the plutocracy”
You were able to bring the new LP to life with the help of the Government initiative Music Australia. How important is a program like this support for artists and bands such as yourself?
Now that humanity has landed in the floating garbage patch inferno that is the logical end state of neoliberal capitalism wherein all labour (including that of musicians) belongs to the plutocracy, I would say very important.
The album debuted at Number 1 on the ARIA Australian Country Album chart and number 20 on the ARIA Australian Album chart, how did you celebrate this great achievement?
We released the album on a Friday. I learned on the Monday that we were topping the charts. That Wednesday was the first day of my 3 day Hindu wedding. Needless to say it was an absolute whirlwind and easily the best week of my life.
What do you hope fans take away from listening to ‘Those Were Days’?
I hope they begin the experience curious and then run through a range of emotions including rage, wistful longing, excitement, sentimentality, lustfulness, hope.
“ you are going to see a bunch of mates having a really, really good time on stage”
You are currently on the road, touring for the album, what can fans expect from a Skyscraper Stan and The Commission Flats live show?
We have such a good time performing. Its what all of us love to do most, and we’ve become quite good at it over the years. We have a strong set rehearsed up for the tour with some of the old favourites peppered through the new album and the band is sounding hot. Mainly, though, you are going to see a bunch of mates having a really, really good time on stage. We hear from people all the time that they love to watch us play for that reason, which I think is a beautiful thing.
What's your Favourite thing about touring and being on the road?
When I’m touring with the band it’s the shows themselves and the little conversations you begin having with each other that no one else can understand. Little gags and quotes that get delivered in the moment for an audience of 5, hidden in the larger show. The more you play the songs, the more fluid they become which feels paradoxical but I promise it's true!
“It’s getting harder and harder to break even,”
What's the worst part about touring and being on the road?
The crappy food and the sheer bloody expense of it all. It’s getting harder and harder to break even, but we keep throwing ourselves into it for some reason (we love it).
What song off ‘These Were Days’ are you enjoying playing the most live?
I’m loving all of them, but I think at the moment maybe ‘Let Me Be Frank With You’, which was one of the early singles. Its the angriest song on the album and we’re opening the set with it, which feels amazing. It launches us straight into a high energy show. It has lots of loud gang vocals, so everyone is getting on the mic and having a good old shout.
“I was the glassy and I got a bit brave (pissed) one night and sang a song at a lock-in.”
Where was your first gig? Was it a success or flop?
My first gig was at a place called the Wine Cellar in Aotearoa New Zealand where I grew up. I was the glassy and I got a bit brave (pissed) one night and sang a song at a lock-in. At the time there was this band called Storehouse playing a never ending residency on Thursday nights. They would play three sets and the boss would wheel me out to perform in the breaks. Then he would send me back to work.
Stan, you have been in the industry for awhile now, what is still on your bucket list to achieve professionally?
I have never performed in the Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre. I will be unable to retire from music until that happens. I would also like to see one of my songs become a campfire favorite somewhere in the world. I’ve been told they are too esoteric for that, but a man can dream.
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?
Wally at Cheersquad Records and Tapes who secured the government grant, released the album and advertised the pants off it. Along with his colleague Jo, he’s supporting so many Aussie (and international) artists to release quality tunes and get on the road. An amazing bloke for whom I wish nothing but good fortune (especially if I get to share it)
“You are the reason we keep doing this stupid thing. Our parents have begged us to stop. Our landlords have tried to restrain us. Our employers have bemoaned our constant absences but we love it and we love you. ”
Do you have a message for the Skyscraper Stan and The Commission Flats fans and supporters?
You are the reason we keep doing this stupid thing. Our parents have begged us to stop. Our landlords have tried to restrain us. Our employers have bemoaned our constant absences but we love it and we love you. Thanks so much for everything you’ve given us. Come out to a show, come and say hi, shout at us from a moving car, it’s all fuel for the fire and it keeps us on the road.
THOSE WERE DAYS ALBUM LAUNCH TOUR
09/05 - The Bearded Lady - West End, Brisbane, QLD
10/05 - OK Motels - Sunshine Coast, QLD
16/05 - The Night Cat - Fitzroy, Melbourne, VIC
30/05 - Smith's Alternative - Canberra, ACT
41/05 - Waywards - Newtown, Sydney, NSW
Tickets available via skyscraperstan.com.au
Interview by Michelle Symes
April 2025