As experimental punk rockers  RACKETT  prepare to kick off the 'READY OR NOT' EP tour, front-woman, Bec takes time to have a chat about performing, new music and gig culture.

BLUNTFORCE: It's been a fast rise for RACKETT. What has been the biggest is this really happening moment?

Bec: I'd have to say touring with The Darkness.

BLUNTFORCE: That is pretty cool!

Bec: Yeah! Yeah I mean, I listened to their music growing up, so it breaks down the boundaries between fantasy and reality. 

BLUNTFORCE: I suppose there's always the risk when you meet those kinds of people; you build them up to a certain level. It can be quite hard for them to live up to that. 

Bec: I don't know so much that it's hard for them to live up to it, as much as it's hard for me to just be myself. I start acting; I reduce the possibility of a connection, a genuine connection because I'm so starstruck I sabotage that. My natural reaction to feeling starstruck is to play cool and I usually 'over cool-it' to the point that I sabotage those connections most of the time. I'm working on it. 

BLUNTFORCE: I understand what you're saying but you portray such a confident figure on stage. From the Electric Lady (Bec shaves her head mid-set) set to Miss Peaches, not only did you guys take - yourself, in particular - take control of what is a tiny stage but crowd participation was compulsory. You aren't afraid to get up close and personal with someone in the crowd and that's not something you see very often. Is that stage confidence something that comes naturally?

Bec:  I have been onstage since I was two, so being on stage is just like, normal to me. I have been training all my life to get to that point. I grow in discomfort, that's when I learn the most - when my boundaries are broadened.

BLUNTFORCE: There is a tendency for a lot of crowds to just stand there and watch with folding arms sometimes. Does that make it harder for you guys to play or you really don't care, you're just got to break that barrier down?

Bec: A performance is a two-way street. If the crowd is not willing to give up their dignity and give into the moment, then it makes me more outrageous.

BLUNTFORCE: You've got a pretty full schedule coming up. A tour off the back of the EP, supporting Killing Heidi through October / November, it's very much full steam ahead. Is there going to be a break insight for you guys where you can regroup and see what your direction's going to be or you're just going flat stick for as long as you can?

Bec:  We have gone full-on since day one and that's not gonna stop. After the tour, we will focus our attention on recording and curating a new show. 

BLUNTFORCE: Is that something you'll be looking at bringing out sometime early 2018?

Bec: We strive to deliver new material to our fans, and with their support (buying our music, coming to shows), we will be able to continue to do that. 

BLUNTFORCE: Did you get to see many bands on the Crawl?

Bec: I saw HAIR DIE who was on before us at Miss Peaches. Ally (vox/bass) saw ZEAHORSE and they were and they were really, really good.                                                                                                          

BLUNTFORCE: I did notice that there are quite different crowds between venues and the bands that are playing. At last years Crawl, the Botany View was shut down. The crowd was very young, very amped and there were some issues between a member of a pretty popular band that loves getting loose and security and it got out of hand.

Bec: I guess you attract a certain type of crowd and behaviour based on the message you're sending in your music. 

BLUNTFORCE: Do you feel like an outsider when you're at these kinds of festivals?

Bec:  Prior to and before the show I feel like a disgruntled parent on a moral rampage. I'm there to perform, but these performances are mostly in bars, I find myself at the centre of a drinking culture that I've personally outgrown. Sometimes, I just walk around these festivals picking up rubbish and lecturing punters about self-respect. 

- If you're looking for top-notch tunes and a no fucking around, slap you in the face gig - Catch RACKETT debut their EP at YAH YAH'S - MELB 22/09 & THE CHIPPO HOTEL - SYD 23/09 CLICK HERE for tickets. The best thing you'll do this weekend.