Hot Rubber Glove: On A Mission.

Hot Rubber Glove play the Woodford Folk Festival and launch Inna Missionary Style at The Zoo on January 4.

One time North Queenslanders Hot Rubber Glove have been funking up a storm since relocating to Brisbane 12 months back, and indeed, since long before then. Their new disc Inna Missionary Style found them lauded by Triple J as part of Oz Music Month, and the record gets it’s official launch in the New Year. Bassist Haji Baba and saxophonist Tiff took some time to answer a few questions.

Six years down the track, how do you think the band’s earlier work stands up against release number seven, Inna Missionary Style?

Haji: “No offence to those who played on it, but you’d have to bang me over the head and tie me to a chair to get me to listen to Holy Ritual Gangsters, our first release. We’ve recorded a lot of music since then, stuff we’re happy with, but Missionary Style is definitely our best.”

Tiffs: “It kneels.”

Can you tell us about the recording of the new disc? When was it all put together, and how long have you had the songs written and ready to go?

Haji: “All the tracks were written since we moved to Brisbane a year ago, but were recorded here and in Cairns at five studios. Despite the diversity of songs, styles and studios, we’ve luckily managed to make a smooth and coherent (dare I say it!) concept album.”

You’re now a well-established part of the Brisbane music scene, how easy was it for the band to find its niche after relocating?

Haji: “A couple of earlier tours from Cairns made us a handful of fans and contacts that helped to get us gigging straight away when we arrived proper.”

What’s in a name?

Haji: “Well, err… I was working with Australian Customs and whilst pulling my latex covered hand out of a suspected drug runners’ arse I stumbled across a wonderful name for a band. So I formed one.”

Triple J gave you a workout in recent weeks, how important is it for the band to get a break like that?

Tiffs: “JJJ action is the most efficient way to get heard around the nation, much less labour intensive than a week in a Tarago.”

Haji: “Five minutes of JJJ = 5 weeks in a Tarago. It also makes talking to venues much easier, they have a complete reversal of attitude when they’ve heard you on the radio. There’s a couple of tracks on IMS we’re hoping they’ll give some air to…”