BUTTERFINGERS [13:02:08] UNIVERSAL APPEAL One of Brisbane's biggest success stories in recent years, Butterfingers melding of hip hop and punk has seen them carve their own niche in the Australian music industry. Throughout all that, they've never lost their down-to-earth attitude and sense of humour. Ever since their debut album, 'Breakfast at Fatboys', Butterfingers have captured the attention of critics and fans alike with their memorable lyrics drawn from everyday experiences. As frontman Eddie explains: “I grew up listening to gangsta rap and stuff, well not grew up, but [listened to it] in my teenage years, and I really loved it and wanted to write music like that but every time that I did it was obviously not real - trying to be all hard core. So it was the normal everyday kind of things and poking fun at stuff that seemed to be the only way that I could get away with that without sounding like an idiot.” It's this ability to translate the everyday happenings of his life that seems to resonate with so many people and is one of the cornerstones for the popularity of the band. With every album released the boys have attracted more and more fans and the result has seen Butterfingers make the inevitable leap into mainstream popularity. But despite all this success, Eddie still feels that mainstream, or more to the point, commercial radio, is forced into playing their music rather than being genuinely supportive of the band. “In the early days we had a few songs that were pretty general in their appeal, songs like 'I Love Work', which has a fairly universal kind of theme, so it doesn't surprise me that other people around the country could sort of relate to it and that a national radio station would get more interest out of it. But as far as commercial radio stations go, it feels like they're playing it but they're playing it reluctantly”, laughs Eddie. “I don't know, it's weird. It's like if it's already got momentum they will have a go at it, but if it doesn't they won't. Like I wouldn't be surprised if nothing of ours that we release ever gets played on commercial radio again because it doesn't feel like we are loved by commercial radio and it seems like they would drop us as quick as they picked us up.” Nathan Dover. Butterfingers headline the Ignition Festival at UQ on Friday February 22. They'll be joined by Bob Evans, Yves Klein Blue, Mary Trembles, The Gin Club and more. There's also a Family stage featuring resident DJs. back to top ^

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