AS THEIR name might suggest Forever the Sickest Kids are no conventional powerpop band. Although guitarist Marc Stuart insists "we do our own art and write all our own songs, we have the final say in everything we do," the band did not start its meteoric rise with such calculated precision.

After forming in 2006 from two separate groups losing their creative steam, For-ever the Sickest Kids can thank their discovery and subsequent popularity to a sloppy mistake. Some five days after officially forming, lead singer Jonathan Cook accidentally placed an ad for a front page song placement. Rather than ru-ing the investment of $350 they didn't have the band went into action writing and recording their first major hit Hey Brittany.

The playfulness and spontaneity of this amazing rise to fame is certainly carried on by the band, in its image and philosophy. Marc makes no hesitation in de-scribing the band's motivation to produce and perform music. "We are doing this because its really fun. We're just here to have fun. We are a happy go lucky band." It only takes one look at the band's photo shoots to see they enjoy poking fun at convention.

Despite this trend Marc is adamant Forever the Sickest Kids aren't planning to supplant popular culture, they are just letting their personalities shine through. The band's Myspace proudly announces "Voted '1 Worst Band Name of 2008' by AP Magazine," but the endless criticism and flaming has no effect on morale. "It's our attitude to announce things like that, it's funny that they make awards for those things."

With its comic exterior one would be forgiven for assuming the band is in the mu-sic industry just for fun. This assumption, however, couldn't be further from the truth. When commenting on the band's endless touring schedule Marc com-ments, "we make the best of it all, the touring, the interviews," he said. "We like to do as many interviews as possible. This is our work and we might as well be working. It is after all when playing live Forever the Sickest Kids feel truly at home. It gives me such a rush to perform. Expect really high energy stuff."

Australian fans will have their first chance to see Forever the Sickest Kids at Soundwave Festival, which will be touring the country in February and March with one of the most carefully constructed line ups in years.

 By Zoltan Blazer