A Chat with Scizzorman (28.07.26)
Perth alternative funk-rock outfit Scizzorman are back with another gloriously off-kilter offering. Their vibrant new single ‘Mystical Yeast ’ is the latest glimpse into their forthcoming concept album, How To Get Your Life Right With What’s Left. The new album promises to blend infectious grooves, eccentric storytelling, and the band’s unmistakable sense of humour. Made up of Terry, Stewart, Adrian, and Cody, Scizzorman has carved out a sound that’s as unpredictable as it is compelling, refusing to sit comfortably within any one genre. We caught up with the band to talk about the inspiration behind ‘Mystical Yeast’, the ambitious concept driving the new album, and what listeners can expect from this exciting new chapter.
OSR: ‘Mystical Yeast’ is certainly one of the more intriguing song titles released this year. What’s the story behind the name, and how did it become the perfect fit for the song?
Terry: Why thank you. Still figuring that out myself, believe it or not. Well, flying across the West and East Coast many times over here in Oz, while sorting out song lyrics, played a part. Melbourne’s street vibe is quite different to Perth, and being in transit meant more time for writing, which kept it somewhat fluid. Humorous discussions around wordplay and the notion of how words sound versus what they mean is where the fun can be found. Now I look back, well yeah, it’s an odd combo. Bizarre to think what it conjures up to the listener. Feel free to share your views.
OSR: Your music effortlessly blends funk, neo-psychedelia, glam pop, progressive rock and soul. Do you consciously set out to combine genres, or does the songwriting naturally take you there?
Stewart: As Keith Richards once said, “Everything you’ve ever heard comes out when you play”. It’s also a useful tool for composing music; you think of a band or a style to try and emulate, ultimately it ends up sounding like you. When we cut the track, ‘Get With The Program’ we cut the guitar, bass and drums live. I said, “Let’s make this like a QOTSA vibe”. I had a baritone guitar sound going that reminded me of them. Of course, after the track was done, it was a different thing. But it gives you a direction to start.
Terry: That was a great session. Initially I liked the idea of paying homage to favourite artists or records, which leant towards that style or genre, whilst being totally open-minded about how it would end up. ‘Mystical’ was like that too. Once Cody and I dropped our funk influences on the rhythm section, we had a starting canvas with guide vocals to work from. Didn’t take Stewart long to get his head around things, and what was added was fairly spontaneous and magically relevant. The sum being a cross-section of various styles from each of us, which is quite extensive, given our own music taste and unique creative journeys.
OSR: Terry, you’ve spoken about overcoming writer’s block before writing this track. What changed during those creative trips to Melbourne that reignited your songwriting?
Terry: Well, looking back on my notes, I’d toyed with the idea of writing a sci-fi novel, which I’d started but seemed to jump back onto the lyric/song format. I’d completed a poem that was in limbo around that time too. There was no preconceived idea to release music at that stage. Covid hit not long after the last recording, and it gave me time to spend with my parents, so putting music on hold for a while made total sense. Writing a novel seemed like a good long-term challenge. However, once I’d finished writing lyrics to some of the earlier tracks like ‘Cavalcades’, the instant sugar hit of churning out song lyrics, after such a long break, was too sweet to ignore. Pun intended.
OSR: The rhythm section on ‘Mystical Yeast’ feels incredibly tight. After playing together for so many years, how has the musical relationship between Terry and Cody evolved?
Cody: I still try and find out what’s going on in Tezza’s head and figure out the chords from there. It’s like excavating, once he’s on the kit and trialling out different beats.
Terry: Well, Cody’s spot on there. I generally have little or no idea what beat I’m going with to any lyrics, until I actually jump on them drums. Sometimes there are no lyrics, which frees things up as loose jams. Yes, Cody does tend to excavate more on bass; however, when he’s on a 6 or 12 string, it’s a whole new trip, and I get to do some digging.
OSR: Stewart’s guitar solo and eastern-inspired middle section really elevate the track. How much room is there for experimentation when arranging a Scizzorman song?
Stewart: The absolute best thing about working with Scizzorman is the freedom to experiment. ‘Mystical’ had that section written by Cody on bass, and it was just a case of adding some colour. I did some wacky sound thing on my guitar, used a whole bunch of effects, and it was all first takes. I didn’t overthink it and added more layers onto it after, like the Indian sounds. The sitar was actually a guitar played by me, with a special pickup I have. It just seemed to fit with what the guys had going. Seemed wacky and funny to me, and luckily the guys liked it.
OSR: The upcoming album is titled How To Get Your Life Right With What’s Left. Without giving too much away, what’s the central idea tying the record together?
Terry: We’d done four or five tracks when I’d finally hit on the title. In many ways it reflects the process. We had limited time in the studio and takes were fairly spontaneous, given availability. There were gaps between different stages, like when I heard Lydia’s amazing voice at a party. I’d come up with a vocal part which buzzed around my head for weeks, until it dawned on me how good Lydia would sound singing it. Much to the dismay of Adrian, our sound engineer, who, it must be said, was really behind the mixing and patiently tying these ideas up.
Adrian: Building a house one brick at a time. You don’t need to have all your instrumentation set out in advance, or songs laid out in full. Spontaneity can be the mother of great ideas, as many were generated through trialling things with no judgement for this album.
OSR: Having remained proudly independent throughout your career, what freedoms has that given you creatively, and what challenges come with it?
Stewart: The freedom is always getting as close as you want without too much interference. Being able to make music on your own terms is the ultimate goal. The challenges are the same ones that every band or artist goes through. How do we break through the fog?
OSR: You’ve cited artists ranging from Frank Zappa and David Bowie to the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Talking Heads. Which artists outside of music have influenced Scizzorman’s creative world?
Terry: Well, interviews of the late comedian Robin Williams got me motivated. Quotes from famous people like Einstein or Chaplin. Movie directors that make memorable flicks like Tarantino. During the writing phase, I’d discovered David Lynch. He’d passed away, and I began checking out his interviews and how he went about things. His obsession with the arts, caffeine and improv approaches to creativity were quite unique. Certainly kept me inspired to see the album through to completion.
OSR: Looking back over twenty years together, is there a particular moment that made you realise Scizzorman had developed a sound that could only belong to you?
Terry: I don’t think there was ever that game-changing moment, to be honest. The sound has evolved over the years, and it’s more the writing and collaboration that sparks a unique sound. There’s been times where I felt like I’d hit the jackpot with lyrics, but once I’m into recording music mode, anything goes really. The learning curve is ever present.
OSR: If listeners could take just one feeling or idea away after hearing ‘Mystical Yeast’, what would you hope it is?
Terry: That the fun we had playing our different parts really comes across. I hope it’s uplifting in some amusing way.
Cody: The world is your oyster, and anything is possible.
Adrian: Much like yeast, no matter how small you feel you are, you can always make bigger and better things. It just takes some time.
Many thanks to Scizzorman for speaking with us. Find out more about Scizzorman on their Instagram, Facebook, X, and Spotify
