What is your band name, and what does it mean to you?

Poison Oak is our name and is the title of a Bright Eyes song. As for meaning… well I guess it means our band.

Where is your band based?

In sunny North Queensland – Townsville.

How long have you been together?

Probably a year and a half – two years. 

What style of music do you play?

Indie rock, Pop Rock, Grunge and punk with some blues. 

Give us the story of the bands formation.

It basically started with Ray, Russell and myself jamming on Saturday morning for fun. Then slowly over time it started to get involved more people joined the band. We recorded some music together, companies started contacting us and I think we started to take it more seriously. 

Tell us about your influences.

I guess we have a wide range of influences. However, at the moment now, I think we are really starting to develop into our own sound after releasing two EP’s and few singles. I guess you could say Violent Soho, Gang Of Youths, The Cure, Smashing Pumpkins, Paul Kelly, Bright Eyes and Silversun Pickups to name a few. Butit’s really hard to nail down just a few when you are always listening to different music consistently.

Tell us about your latest release.
“1996”, was our latest EP, it’ available everywhere. We recorded about a year ago, it’s a collection of six songs, that sort of capture the beginnings of sound.  

And where is it available?

Pretty much everywhere here is a link to check it out – https://linktr.ee/poisonoak

How are you weathering the Covid-19 pandemic – it must be tough for artists.

Luckily for us, the pandemic has not really affected us here in North Queensland Australia. It actually has given us the opportunity to get a lot of material together without the pressure of playing a show.  

If you could share the stage with any other band or artist, who would you chose?

Hmmm yeah, Paul Kelly now. But, this answer would change everyday. 

What can you tell us about your live shows?

It’s a rock n roll show!

Do you have any upcoming gigs to promote?

We have been working on new material, and working in a studio in the tablelands of North Queensland and really keen to get it out there to the world. 

What do you think sets you apart from other bands?

… Yeah … this is a tough question. I don’t really know. We never really go out to record or play with the mind-set to try sound different or set ourselves apart.

Explain why you think a new listener should give your music a go.

It’s good.. if you like music then have a listen!

What has been your biggest achievement as a band, so far?

Getting a bunch of my friends consistently to play music.

What else do you hope to achieve?

Well just to continue writing music that we like.  

Are you active with fans on social media?

Well we actively post. But I don’t know, I find it pretty ingenuine to communicate with people through social media consistently

What are the benefits of those interactions?

Where can fans find you online?
https://linktr.ee/poisonoak

Thanks for joining us!