Episode 30: Chit Chat Von Loopin Stab/Glenn Dormand – Machine Gun Fellatio

Machine Gun Fellatio. Credit: Supplied

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If you found yourself listening to the so-called ‘alternative music’ coming out of Australia across the late ‘90s and early ‘00s, then you very well might have listened to Machine Gun Fellatio. As their name might indicate, controversy was a bit of a staple for the group throughout their career, but another thing that was a constant was the quality of their music.

Firstly, it’s worth pointing out that Machine Gun Fellatio are an interesting, yet very accomplished band. By the time that they made their debut in 1997, members such as Pinky Beecroft and Chit Chat Von Loopin Stab had already collaborated with the likes of The Whitlams in the writing of their iconic ARIA Award-winning song, ‘No Aphrodisiac’.

For Machine Gun Fellatio – which also comprised members such as Bryan Ferrysexual, 3kShort, The Widow Jones, KK Juggy, and Loveshark – they found their way onto the alternative scene with triple j-friendly tracks like ‘Isaac Or Fuzz’, or the expletive-laden ‘Mutha Fukka On A Motorcycle’. But they also backed it up with heartfelt tracks, too. 

‘Unsent Letter’, the closing track to their debut album, 2000’s Bring It On!, is undeniably beautiful (and worthy of being called one of the country’s greatest songs), as is the tender ‘All Of Them Ladies’, the opener to their 2002 album Paging Mr. Strike (which was called the 175th best Australian album of all time by Rolling Stone Australia a few years back). 

But still, their fun and frivolity was on full display, and while their high-energy songs hit the charts, so too did their nudity-laden live shows – which accompanied massive names like KISS, Robbie Williams, Primus, and Duran Duran – often generate headlines and controversy. 

Sadly, in 2005, Machine Gun Fellatio called it quits following their On Ice album the previous year. Most of its members remained busy in the world of music, however, and after years of silence, this year brought with it the news that the group would be reforming for a series of live shows as part of TISM’s ‘Death To Art’ tour.

This week, the wonderful Glenn Dormand, otherwise known as Chit Chat Von Loopin Stab, joins the podcast for a chat, just days after Machine Gun Fellatio made their live return with a secret show in Newcastle.

This recording was a little bit of a strange one given that an unexpected interview – my first with him – took place only 20 minutes before we spoke, meaning that this is the second time I was speaking with Chit Chat within an hour – which is not something that often happens. 

Anyway, I strongly urge you to check out Machine Gun Fellatio’s discography, and once you’re done giving that a spin, grab a ticket to see them live, have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

Chit Chat Von Loopin Stab’s Trusty Chords

Chit Chat’s One Influential Artist

1. Beastie Boys

Chit Chat’s Three Impactful Albums

1. Miles Davis – Kind Of Blue (1959)

2. Sly And The Family Stone – Fresh (1973)

3. Kanye West – Yeezus (2013)

Chit Chat’s Five Trusty Songs

1. John Prine – 'In Spite Of Ourselves' (1999)

2. Miles Davis – 'All Blues' (1959)

3. Childish Gambino – 'Redbone' (2016)

4. Neil Young – 'The Last Trip To Tulsa' (1968)

5. Leonard Cohen – 'Tower Of Song' (1988)