Perth Voice Interactive

LEGENDARY garage band The Stems have just finished recording a new track Deep Freeze, ahead of their headlining gig in North Fremantle this month.

When the Chook called Stems front man Dom Mariani for a chat, he had just approved a final mix of the song.

“It’s more in the R’n’B kind of style of what we do,” he says.

“We’re heavily influenced by early Rolling Stones and The Pretty Things, and this song has that Bo Diddley thing going on.

“It will probably be released before we play some gigs over East in April.”

Formed in Perth in 1983 by Mariani, The Stems wowed audiences with their energetic mix of 1960s garage rock and power pop, releasing several acclaimed EPs and the classic debut album At First Sight, Violets are Blue.

They split up in 1987, but over the years have periodically reformed, and in 2024 played a series of sold-out shows in Australia and Europe to mark the band’s 40th anniversary.

These days the line-up includes three members from their heyday: Mariani (vocals/guitar), Julian Matthews (bass), and Dave Shaw (drums), plus guitarist Ashley Naylor, whose has played with Paul Kelly and The Church.

So what’s the secret to The Stems’ lasting popularity?

“We originally split up at the height of our fame, so I think we left fans wanting more and didn’t outstay our welcome,” Mariani says.

“I think with any band that has stood the test of time, it’s down to the chemistry of the people involved.

“At the anniversary gigs there were die-hard fans, younger folk and people curious to see what we were like. We put on a good show.”

Over the past four decades, The Stems have had several long breaks with members exploring other musical projects and some getting busy with life, kids and day jobs. Mariani says the breaks have helped keep the band energised.

“The Stems gave me the opportunity to pursue music for the rest of my life and I respect that,” he says. 

“When we come back together to play, we have a lot of fun because we’ve done other musical stuff and satisfied creative urges, so we don’t try and reinvent the wheel. 

“It’s compartmentalised in a way – this is what The Stems do and we’re not going to f*ck with it. We don’t try and keep up with musical trends and change for the sake of change.”

Nowadays, the recording process is an interstate affair: Mariani and Shaw live in Perth, where they put down the backbone of the track in a studio, and Matthews and Naylor, who are based in Melbourne, add their parts remotely.

So after 40 years of playing power chords, sharing dressing rooms and drinking whisky, what is the dynamic like when the original members get back together?

“We respect each other and most of the time we’re laughing and having fun,” Mariani says.

“We find ourself in a situation where, after four decades, we are still doing this – it’s unbelievable.

“Within an hour of getting in the rehearsal studio, we’re back to where we want to be – there’s a deep musical bond.”

Free of the pressures of releasing songs and making albums to deadline, the band can do things at their own pace and enjoy the musical side of things.

“I think that’s why we’re still on the road, doing it,” Mariani says.

“It’s exiting and we’re not just going through the motions for the cash. We love the music.”

The Stems are headlining the Garden Party at Port Beach Brewery in North Freo on Saturday March 29.

Also on the bill are Wesley Fuller (VIC), The High Learys, Ashley Naylor Spaceship (VIC), The Stingrays, The Satisfaction, The Jack Carrol Band and DJ Fang.

The festival runs from 3pm-12am. Tix at theriver.oztix.com.au and perthtickets.com.au. 

by STEPHEN POLLOCK