Interview – Gary ‘Youngy’ Young, DESTROY SHE SAID – July 2013

Shane | 23 July 2013 | Reply

By Shane Pinnegar

Originally published in X-Press Magazine’s 3rd July 2013 issue

Melbournites Destroy She Said bring their pub rock juggernaut way out West this weekend for shows at Bunbury’s Prince Of Wales Friday July 5th and The Charles Hotel Saturday 6th. SHANE PINNEGAR asks the questions down the line to guitarist Gary ‘Youngy’ Young.

Youngy describes Destroy She Said as “Ball bag Boogie that will smash you in the face until you remember what over-the-top pub rock is all about”, and that’s a pretty fitting description of their sound, which combines the beer-barn rawk of early AC/DC and Rose Tattoo with Motorhead-like aggression and power.

“We are so excited to have the opportunity to come over and play,” says Youngy. “For the last 2 years we have felt more love from W.A. than anywhere else in Australia apart from Victoria. I’m pretty sure that energy will explode once we are unleashed. It will be dirty!”

And dirty they are – their debut album Down To Dirty features ditties Mum-friendly ditties Squirter, Hookers Don’t Kiss and Fanta Pants amongst others. It’s all about good, fun pub rock, says Youngy.

“What makes pub rock so endearing?” he laughs. ”Maybe it’s the perfect ugly romance? Kinda like a first love? Fuck that – it’s the sound that never lets you down and will always be around!”

The AC/DC sound is indisputably a strong influence on Destroy She Said, but it’s the attitude behind it that Youngy says is more important.

“It comes down to the fact that we have always been a bit isolated here and the Aussies have always been renowned for not buying into any bullshit.” He explains. “There are so many songs from the 70’s that came out of Europe that start out real tough and then you will hear some weak keyboard solo and you think, that wouldn’t happen here [in Oz]!”

With the album recently getting released in Europe to critical acclaim, a live album and recent single No Church out, Youngy says the band are no strangers to hard work.

“I think people start taking more notice when a number of releases start to come through from the same artist,” says Young. “We have a live EP that will be released soon – we are mixing that at the moment. And we are about to start pre-production on the new album soon – we have more than enough quality tunes, just got to knock them into shape proper!”

Playing on the same bill as Raise The Flag’s Bon Scott birthday celebrations is a special thrill for the band, having got to know Bob Spencer and James Morley, both ex-The Angels and appearing on Saturday.

“I literally grew up with The Angels on my wall,” he explains, “and saw them plenty of times when Bob and James were in the band, so to hang out and talk music and have some nice stuff said about your band [by them] is a cool surreal feeling! They’re both ripper blokes!

“I reckon it’s gonna be one hell of a rock n’ roll birthday party – that sounds like fun to me! Prepare to be destroyed!”

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