Mad Shapes

First they emerged from the ruins of some of your favourite local bands such as Thinktank and Move To Strike. Then, after having their name featured on National TV (adorned on the tee shirt of Big Brother evictee Nathan Stremple) they changed their title from the happy-go-lucky 'Tiger Stripes' to a name even more suited. Now the cheeky and enthusiastic Mad Shapes are about to make an explosive entrance into the Adelaide party scene, and will be hosting their very own White Wedding this month.

How many times have you gone to a gig, then had to find somewhere else to dance at afterwards? It's this weekly dilemma that has inspired Mad Shapes to merge both gigs and dance parties together, encouraging people to dress in theme to bring a sense of quirkiness to the festivities. Bassist and vocalist Ben Green explains: "we are starting the party a bit earlier rather than having to wait until after midnight before you can dance. We wanted to throw a spanner in the works with the usual format of three or four bands in a row and added DJs."

Keyboardist Jenie Kusic adds "I think more people are going to see bands and then going out dancing afterwards at another place. So we want to combine DJs that people love. I think we want the focus to be on the party, not just on the show where it's all the band and then the audience. We just wanted to make it more of a party and everyone just having fun and everyone getting involved."

Mad Shapes are hosting PhDJ from Sydney for the first event. "He's done some wicked mash ups of tracks you wouldn't expect, like Refused with Destiny's Child - its awesome!" Green enthuses.

But why a White Wedding? "We're having a series of parties and the first one is a white wedding party and we want everyone to dress up as if they're going to a wedding or are in the wedding," Green explains before adding "we thought it would be funny because of the Billy Idol song."

With a party attitude, Mad Shapes are keen to involve everyone in the lead up to the release of their debut EP 'Confetti Machete', due to be unveiled soon.

With all of their previous musical adventures, it makes sense that their approach to their songs are far from serious and in depth lyrically, singing about their Emergency Lover and other bizarre and fun things. Their thoughts on the transition? Green puts his two cents in: "It's weird being a band because it always ends up being the dynamics of a mash up of every ones personalities together. And in a new band it's different again. We don't take it too seriously we tend to throw ourselves in the deep end a lot and always be on the edge of our abilities and stuff."

"Like writing songs two nights before a show," Kusic laughs. Upon her introduction to the band, Kusic was still learning their songs the day before her first show with them (as Tiger Stripes), which is a perfect example of how they keep themselves on their toes and keep their lives within the band fresh.

So for those who have yet to see Mad Shapes in action? Expect the unusual. If you have seen the Tiger Stripes play, while Mad Shapes is a departure from the former band, the party vibe is still there. Green shares his thoughts - "I would say it's a bit like the B52s, with the idea of having a quirky danceable pop rock sound. The B52s have a lot of the elements that we do - a bit throwback and a bit weird as well."

If you're interested in seeing Mad Shapes at their White Wedding party, they are offering some incentives to get you in the party spirit with confetti (to coincide with the 'Confetti Machete' EP theme), bubbles and free champagne. All for dressing up!

The question on everybody's lips - will Kusic be wearing a brides dress on the night? "It may not be me, lets just say! It's going to be worth seeing definitely."

Fiona Stafford

The Mad Shapes' White Wedding Party will be happening at The Ed Castle on Sat 21 June with Flamingo Crash, PhDJ and DJ Craig.