In the Chair is a regular feature on Eventalaide, highlighting artists from across Australia and occasionally overseas. Everyone gets the same questions. It is just meant to be a bit of fun so please treat it as such.
Questions by Geoff Jenke
Forming in early 2021 and figuring out a way to jam and write songs in between rules and restrictions,
The Prize stumbled across a blend of power pop and rock and
roll that’s equal parts brains and bravado. The joyous new five-piece
bring three guitars and five voices that harmonise together to make some of the
best power pop this city has heard in years. With lead vocals primarily shared
between drummer Nadine Muller and guitarist Carey
Paterson, the five-piece is rounded out with Joseph Imfeld on
guitar, Austin
Haire on guitar and Jack Kong on
bass. After the dust settled from the city’s miserable hiatus, The Prize played
their first show to a sold out Croxton Bandroom opening for Civic in
November 2021
Their sound blends the hooks
from The
Nerves, twin rock ’n’ roll leads of Thin Lizzy and
minor progressions of later era Flamin’ Groovieswith the fullness and
power of the
Ramones and the pop punch of the Divinyls.
Obvious influences shine through on their sensational cover of the obscure 1979
power pop classic, “Fighting My Way Back”; originally by
British group, The Incredible Kidda Band.

Name: Nadine Muller
Band: The Prize
In less than 50 words describe your music, your band
and yourself.
The Prize is a 5-piece outfit with a blend of classic
rock’n’roll and Power Pop!
We take influence from bands such as; the Divinyls, The Angels and Thin Lizzy.
We like big riffs and catchy melodies! I play drums and also share lead vocals
in the band.
What was the first record you bought with your own
money and where from?
I think it was actually the Josie and the Pussy Cats soundtrack- on CD,
haha. I would have got it from Sanity in Bendigo (where I grew up). I’d
drum along to those songs in my bedroom when I was first learning to play.
80’s or 90’s Music:
There’s definitely a time and a place for both but I think 80’s, particularly
Australian music, has played the heavier influence in our sound.
What music are currently listening to?
The new RMFC 7”!
The Best live artist/band you’ve seen:
Cheap Trick! We went and saw them together recently when they played
in Australia- it was so good!
You’re “In the mood for love” song:
Cheap Trick, The Flame.
Your favourite Saturday night party record?
KISS Greatest hits
Your favourite Sunday morning chill out record?
The Toms (self-titled) I only got introduced to the Toms a year or
two ago and it really had a big influence on our sound when starting out. It
was recorded in 1979 by Tom Marolda: who played every instrument and
recorded it all himself, in a weekend! Every song on it is a banger!
Which song do you wish you had written?
Ah, so many. The Saints, (Just Like Fire Would) would have to be up there.
Roger Daltry once said “Rock N Roll has no future”. Do
you agree with him?
And Neil Young said “Rock’n’roll will never die” I”m gonna put my
money on Neil.
Vinyl, CD or Streaming?
Vinyl! I really like having music in a physical form. Plus, it’s a great way to
support the artists you love.
If you could record or play live with any artist (dead
or alive), who would it be?
I’d love to write a song with Joey Ramone.
What is the most useless talent you have?
A Pingu impersonation
Your finest recorded moment?
Our recent release! ‘Wrong Side of Town’ EP
Who is your musical hero and what one question would
you ask them?
I’ve actually been lucky enough to meet one of them (Joan Jett) and you know
what I said? “Hello Joan! Nice to meet you” and then I ran away, like an idiot.
Dying, peacefully on your death bed, what song would
you like to hear?
Ramones, Pet Cemetery.
Stuck on a desert island for a year and can only take
three albums. What would they be?
The Toms
The Flamin’ Groovies – Shake some Action
Ramones – Road to Ruin.
Favourite all time movie:
Joe and I both share a deep love for the 90s movie
‘That Thing You Do’.
If you drove an ice cream van, what music would you
play?
The Beach Boys would be a good, summer vibe.
Best show you have ever played in your career:
I actually think the first show we played will hold up as one of my favourites.
It was a sold-out show, opening for CIVIC.
There was a lot of build up to that show because it was towards the end of the
final lockdowns here in Melbourne and it had been postponed a handful of times,
so there was such a great energy in the room when it finally got to happen.
Any backstage incident that makes you laugh?
Nothing particularly outrageous yet but we’re going on tour with the Chats in
two weeks so I’m sure we’ll have a couple of stories after that run of shows!
Neil Young or Paul McCartney?
Sir Paul.
Who is the nicest person in Rock n Roll at the moment?
Our guitarist, Aussie.
What do you hope the next 12 months holds for
you?
No more world crippling viruses…! More recording, gigs, travel and some shows
in RADELAIDE!
New power pop/garage rock/rock’n’roll sensations, The Prize have premiered a video for their new single “Easy Way Out”, taken from the group’s new debut EP Wrong Side Of Town. The Prize will launch the single with shows in Melbourne and Sydney following a national run with The Chats.
The Prize’s singing drummer Nadine Muller says of the new single: “‘Easy Way Out’ was the first song we wrote as a band. After finally hearing it recorded, I think we all found a new appreciation for the song that solidified us. You don’t have to ‘read between the lines’ to figure out what it’s about!”
The Prize are Melbourne’s hottest new addition, a breath of fresh air and a shot in the arm for a city still bouncing back from a bitter start to the decade. Their first single “Wrong Side of Town”, was premiered on Triple J’s ‘Home and Hosed’ and received raves and airplay internationally.
All shows coming up:
SAT SEP 10 – WITH THE CHATS @ ODEON THEATRE, HOBART
THU SEP 15 – WITH THE CHATS @ THE ENMORE THEATRE, SYDNEY
FRI SEP 16 – WITH THE CHATS @ THE FORUM THEATRE, MELBOURNE
SAT SEP 17 – WITH THE CHATS @ FORTITUDE MUSIC HALL, BRISBANE
FRI SEP 23 – WITH THE CHATS @ HINDLY ST MUSIC HALL, ADELAIDE
SAT OCT 1 – EP LAUNCH, JOHN CURTIN HOTEL, MELBOURNE
FRI OCT 28 – EP LAUNCH, BOTANY VIEW HOTEL, SYDNEY
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