Interviews

“We’re not here to f*ck spiders.” That’s what Australians say to mean “let’s get the job done,” including the members of the psychedelic rock band The Psychedelic Porn Crumpets. The band visited The Royale in Boston as part of their 2025 North American tour, following their two album releases: Carpe Diem, Moonman and Pogo Rodeo. James Angell, photographer for WMUA and The Collegian, and I roadtripped to the city to chat with the band about their inspirations, current creative projects, and the happenings of Perth, Australia, where the band first formed.

After a two hour car ride, James and I arrived at The Royale. The non-descript awning gave little indication that the venue, once an opera house and ballroom, contained a grand staircase that led up to a modern concert-hall, with only chandeliers and ornate ceiling details as evidence to its prior function. The time was 6:30pm, and we had an hour before our interview. Between standing in the cold and waiting in the Marriott Hotel next door, we choose a quiet corner of the Marriott. I rehearsed my interview questions, while James reviewed his camera settings.

Engrossed in our separate tasks, I barely caught a glimpse over James’ shoulder of a group of long-haired, tatted-men that walked past us and down a long hallway, with Australian accents echoing back in our direction. Due to my research of the band, I was convinced that one of the men I saw was Chris Young, one of the guitarists for the Porn Crumpets. The possibility of seeing the band ignited an excitement between me and James. An excitement that we carried to the entrance of the Royale, where we waited for the band’s manager, Murray, to meet us.

It was then 7:30pm, and the line had begun to form down the side of the building. James and I stood by the front like two lost fish who had broken free from the school. A mustached-man stood beside us and lit a cigarette. He carried a laid-back swagger that could only be born in Australia. I whispered to James “Do you think that’s Murray?” Soon after I pulled back from the whisper, the man walked up to us and asked whether I was “Julie.” I confirmed, and “Manny [Was] Ready to Roll”

We followed Murray into the venue, up the stairs and past the opening act, Ghost Funk Orchestra, who was performing a sound-check. He led us into the green room where the band was lounging. The walls of the room, painted a bright, neon-green color, made me question whether all green rooms took such a literal meaning to the phrase. Each band member stood up and shook our hands. As they introduced themselves, I pretended that I had not already memorized each of their names and faces.

Jack McEwan, lead singer and guitarist; Luke Parish, guitarist; Chris Young, guitarist; Jamie Reynolds, bassist; and Danny Caddy, drummer. The men lined up on the couch, and the interview began.

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Interview with Psychedelic Porn Crumpets

Interviewer: Julie Evers

Location: The Royale, Boston, MA

Date: November 20, 2026

Julie:

You produced two albums within this past year, Pogo Rodeo and Carpe Diem, Moonman. What does the album creation process look like for you, and how do you balance potentially conflicting creative visions?

PPC (Jack):

We just write as much music as we can, and then whatever sticks to the fridge, we use. The Carpe Diem, Moonman one… we actually didn’t have that one remotely finished, and Danny was booked into the studio. Luckily, the engineer bought us some more time to figure it all out and change the track listing.

We pretty much made that out in a day. Well, the songs were made—but we picked what we wanted and how it would flow… Pogo Rodeo was the same kind of process, just a bit more textured. We’ve done eight records now, pretty much bedroom to bedroom. So it’s like, how good can we get it… and how do we get out of that comfort zone?

Julie:

How do you balance time in the studio with other creative projects—being in other bands, photography, teaching drums?

PPC (Jack):

There is absolutely zero time. For me, it’s the Crumpets, and that’s it. I tried to do Yellows, but it took me five years to write ten songs. Our work ethic—and Murray’s—keeps us moving. He gives us the tick list, and we tick it off. That’s how we’ve ended up in America eight times.

PPC (Chris):

You mentioned photography. Me and Rich bring cameras on the road, but there’s so much driving. There’s just no time to get them out.

Julie:

I’ll start this next question by asking—are you fans of the Grateful Dead?

PPC (band):

Yeah.

Julie:

I love the Grateful Dead because they weave themes of love, nature, and peace into their music. Are there specific messages you try to communicate through your own songs?

PPC (Jack):

You kind of figure it out as you go. At the start, there’s definitely a message, but over time—seeing the same people at shows—it becomes about positivity. Being a shoulder, a voice of entertainment…

PPC (Chris, interjecting):

…not taking things too seriously.

PPC (Jack):

Exactly. We’ve always said we’re the most “serious, not-serious band.” We stay away from politics and focus on music—creating a safe environment where people feel comfortable coming to shows.

Julie:

Speaking of psychedelics, I love the whimsical visuals you put out—claymation videos, posters. Are there stories behind the most recent album designs?

PPC (Jack):

Tim. Tim Meakins. I went to uni with him. I met my wife through Tim—our wives are best friends. He did our first long-sleeve shirts back in 2014 or 2015, our first gig posters… even the song “Bowling With Tim” is about that. About rekindling things you shouldn’t have changed. We’ve built this visual identity, and Tim’s Moonman style just works. I trust him completely.

Julie:

I recently wrote an essay on AI in the music industry. Do you see AI as a helpful tool, or something that threatens human artistry?

PPC (Jack):

I like it for business stuff—problem-solving. Packaging ideas, logistics. But creatively? No. “Write me a song” is terrible. People who create music will keep creating music.

PPC (band member, unclear):

We were literally talking about keeping it out of the creative space a couple days ago.

Julie:

In “The Real Contra Band,” you sing, “Isolation is a blessing, a blessing that finally cured me.” Did Perth’s isolation influence your creativity?

PPC (Jack):

Yeah—100%. Perth’s a little nook on the coast. Best beaches in the world. Hot 300 days a year.

PPC (band member, joking):

It’s the worst place. No one should ever go there.

PPC (band member, joking):

Giant spiders. Snakes. Don’t move there.

Julie:

This is your warning.

PPC (Jack):

Some people try to leave, but everyone comes back. The music’s good because it’s small—you look outward for inspiration. Bigger comparisons.

Julie:

I saw a headline about a rat problem in Perth years ago.

PPC (band):

…Unless you mean Rottnest Island—“Rat’s Nest.” No rats. Just quokkas.

…chatting about quokkas…

Julie:

You sample pop culture—like “Come Together” in “Salsa Verde.” What’s inspiring you lately?

PPC (band):

Gojira. We saw them in Poland—life-changing. Ace Ventura, too. Jim Carrey’s the greatest actor of all time.

Julie:

Last question—differences between American and Australian audiences?

PPC (band):

People show up.

PPC (band):

We get green rooms here.

PPC (Danny):

In America, we get flowers. Gifts. We signed a lava lamp the other night. The audience interaction’s different—people are really kind.

Julie:

Thank you so much. We actually brought you a gift—cat stickers.

— — — — —

We passed out the stickers and wished the Psychedelic Porn Crumpets good luck. We descended the stairs, joining the other concert-goers with the knowledge we had just spoken to the band. The night was filled with electric music, moshing, crowd surfing, and stage diving. At one point, I looked up to see an old friend level with the band and jumping forth in my direction. My hand grazed his foot as he got swept away by the hive. Yes, drinks were spilled. And yes, if you dared enter the pit, you were destined to lose something. But there was laughter, joy and an assurance that “she’ll be alright.”