Cog

The full-bore power and energy that bounds from the stage during a COG live performance is distilled and less ferocious but no less visible in drummer and creative driver of the band, Lucius Borich. Borich sees life as a cyclical system so it’s no surprise to learn that the music making process, for him, is about writing, rehearsing, performing and recording. Though he makes no promises on a third album, it would be amazing if the sort of determination and desire to succeed didn’t end up quickly transforming into a recorded masterpiece. The writing and recording process is on the horizon for now though, with their mind-blowing performances still waking up the nation. The Between Oceans tour encompasses the entire Sharing Space track list; an album that garnered rave reviews from the music press and fans universally.

Borich is nothing if not extraordinarily disciplined and dedicated to his craft. Despite the relentless tour schedule, he is adamant that Cog never tires of their own music, nor are they immune to the energy and vitality of their audience. “We like to rehearse,” he admits. “A bloody good song is a good song and you like it. Take Resonate, for example. It still doesn’t sound dull or stagnant to me when we’re performing.”

So what does this ultra-dedicated musician do in his down time? As it turns out, unsurprisingly, Borich spends many hours reading about and researching political and global issues. These topics inevitably feed into the lyrics and philosophy binding the albums together. Borich laments the “cesspool of incessant corruption” that he feels has swallowed world politics and the corporate world. It is his ultimate aim that people take more personal responsibility for their own actions and beliefs. “The amount of power that government has over us is a scary joke,” he says. “All types of freedoms are being stripped away. It’s a cycle of lies, deceit, lies and deceit. Ultimately, I think people want to be freer and feel safer. It comes back to change within the self and everyone is going to have to do a lot of soul searching so that we can take the power back.”

Though the touring schedule is too chaotic to accommodate family, with “a lot of driving and not much sleep,” Borich spends a good three to four months at home, spending his leisure time jamming with his father, a fellow musician, and surfing. “To step off the land and just reconnect with the environment is amazing. Only a surfer knows the feeling.” Borich describes the act as being “spiritually in the moment.” But it is not long before he manages to segue back into his love of music and creating. It seems that for him, and for Cog, spiritual fulfilment comes in the form of musical creation and performance.

You can catch Cog, supported by Oceansize (UK) and Calling All Cars, at the Hellenic Club in Woden on Wednesday May 27. Tickets from the venue or visit www.theatlasagency.com