Dead To Rights With DECEMBERS DEADLINE

Interview by Kris PetersGiven the frenetic nature of the modern music industry and the avalanche of new songs and music bombarding consumers from every direction, it is of little surprise that new and emerging bands get drawn into the common misconception that more is better. More music means more opportunities means more new fans. Or so many believe.But - and perhaps because of this - it can often be more beneficial to take a bit more time and actually immerse yourself in your craft, thereby producing quality over quantity.Which is exactly what Australian post-hardcore/shoegaze outfit Regionals have done since bursting out of the gates with two EP's in early succession. Rather than saturate the market with new music, Regionals instead took another four years to produce their debut EP, using that time to fully develop their sound and grow into their music personalities in the process.The result is the album Spoonbender which has been cast out into the world today with a renewed sense of hope and confidence that only time can yield. The band used those four years to experiment and develop their sound, culminating in a body of work that best represents themselves and their world view.Born from darkness, isolation-induced agoraphobia and an unhealthy dose of self-reflection, Spoonbender marks a change of course for the Sydney band, showcasing their sound as more extreme and experimental than previous releases.HEAVY spoke with vocalist/guitarist Brett Islaub earlier this week to pry some more..We discussed the thought process going into a debut album and what sorts of things the band took into account before diving into it. Brett highlighted the sonic diversity of the music, including the shift in musical direction and where it came from. He spoke about the singles released and how they represent the full album, and how varying degrees of experimentalismation contributed to the overall sound.We discussed the album artwork and the meaning behind it, and the decision to take such a long period of time between releases and how that time benefited the process plus more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

22 Elo 202419min

LA-based rock outfit All Good Things have been quiet since the breakthrough success of their 2021 album A Hope In Hell, which featured the global phenomenon For The Glory.After spending years honing their craft musically, the success of that album propelled the band into being an almost household name, setting them up for seemingly limitless possibilities and advancements in their career. But, rather than push themselves into exhaustion, All Good Things took time to pause and reflect once the dust started to settle down. It was a decision that came as a surprise to many, but was also one based on longevity within the band.Over the ensuing couple of years, All Good Things made significant changes in their musical landscape, the most notable of which was going back to being an independent artist. This allowed the band not only greater creative control in the actual content of music they planned as the next chapter in their quest but, more importantly, the ability to write, record and release new material without time restraints or pressures.In June, All Good Things returned with their first new music in over two years with The Venom, which was followed earlier this month by No Regrets. Both singles emphatically declared that All Good Things have lost none of their edge, which can only be a good thing for music in general.HEAVY had the pleasure of catching up with bass player/keyboards/vocalist Liz Hooper and vocalist Dan Murphy to find out more.We discussed new songs The Venom and No Regrets, and the success of their 2021 album A Hope In Hell. The band reflected on their decision to take a break after the album cycle, describing it as a period of less pressure and more relaxed writing. They also discussed their shift to being independent and the focus on creating music that resonates with their core fan base, free from the constraints of record companies and radio. The band emphasized the importance of staying true to their musical direction rather than conforming to industry expectations.Dan and Liz discussed their decision to break away from the traditional album release model and opt for releasing singles at a faster pace. They expressed their excitement about the creative freedom and the ability to connect more organically with their audience. They also discussed their willingness to take risks and explore uncharted territory in their creative evolution for the new album, highlighting their collaborative songwriting process and deliberate effort to infuse the music with fresh energy and unconventional themes plus more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

22 Elo 202422min

Interview by Kris PetersCanberra metal outfit St. Sinner are amongst the emerging breed of acts who are increasingly shunning expectation in favour of growth and expression.With a sound that is constantly morphing into a hybrid of styles and genres, St. Sinner recently showcased their intentions with the EP Identity Crisis, containing eight songs that exemplify the band's refusal to paint within the lines while blurring the conventional perception of reality.It is an EP that signifies musical evolution of the highest degree, setting St. Sinner on a path with destiny that is now firmly in their grasp, with one eye firmly planted in reality, in direct contrast to the wandering eye that refuses to yield.HEAVY caught up with frontman Rory Maclean to dive deeper into Identity Crisis and the immediate future of the band.We discussed Identity Crisis from a sonic viewpoint, with Rory emphasising St. Sinner's vision to create a narrative story with their releases, exploring a diverse musical approach each time. He provided insights into the creation of the opening title track and the evolution of the song Devil Boy and also delved into the inspiration, production, and themes of their songs Headcase, Villain, and Dysphoria.Rory elaborated on his strategy of associating different colours with the singles and chapters within Identity Crisis to enhance memorability for marketing and aesthetic purposes. He emphasized the importance of using them to create a cohesive visual identity and discussed the specific colours associated with each single. The conversation also discussed the inspiration behind the song Lost It and the decision to create an animated lyric video for the music clip, also talking about the guest artists who performed on the EP and what they brought musically.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

21 Elo 202436min

Interview by Kris PetersQueensland hard hitters Goatzilla have managed to strike that elusive chord that blends thrash metal and punk together in an almost cohesive summoning of the forces of music that is almost irresistible when done right.It is hard to believe the band are approaching their ten-year anniversary of life on this planet, with their infectious and witty brand of music infecting the masses ever since the surprise success of the single Drop Bear back in 2019.That song and the album it came from, Muthafukarsaurus, cemented Goatzilla as one of the bands to watch from the emerging pile of contenders, and the ensuing groundswell it created gave the band renewed focus and vision.So much so that it has been 5 long years since that album came out with Goatzilla opting not to rush things in the hope of quick success, instead deciding to take their time honing a sonic body of work that would linger long in the memories of those who bared their ears to it.The result is Alien Nation, which will be unleashed on August 16.Already, Goatzilla have proved the wait will be worth it on the back of lead singles Secret Agent Man and Alien Nation, but they provide only a glimpse into the musical psyche of Goatzilla 2024.Bass player Ben Zilla joined HEAVY to tell us more."The sound is always evolving and growing," he replied when asked if Alien Nation captures the complete Goatzilla sound. "This one is different from Muthafukarsaurus. It's still certainly heavy. It's got that heavy background; it's still got the punk roots - very much so. We're still very much a punk rock band, but bringing in more elements of metal as we're evolving. This is all stuff that's been written through COVID with the two Pete's coming in and throwing their stuff in, as well as Mick, our drummer, who brought the real… he's a good 15 years younger than us, and he brought some more modern metal vibes and sensibilities to it. We're really excited. It took a lot longer than we initially thought because of COVID and everything that went along with it. All the guitars, all the drums, and all the bass we recorded in home studios and Pete Jansen mixed and mastered everything himself. It was a big learning curve, but the results speak for themselves. We're really excited with what we've put together, especially having it on vinyl too."In the full interview, Ben discusses the musical direction of Alien Nation, the singles released and how they represent the album as a whole, how Alien Nation differs to Muthafukarsaurus, the themes explored, finding the balance between genres and how they know if they have gone too far, their current tour and remaining dates, what to expect from Goatzilla live and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

15 Elo 202422min

Interview by Sam Spade from The Midnight DevilsUS rockers Buckcherry return to Australia this September for a run of shows hot on the heels of their massively successful new album Vol. 10 which came out earlier this year.Almost a quarter of a century after their debut self-titled album, Buckcherry are still the benchmark for good time party rock, with an always energetic live performance to compliment their catchy as fuck impressive catalogue that, of course, includes Crazy Bitch, Lit Up and Sorry.Taking a fresh approach to cornering frontman Josh Todd ahead of the band's trip Down Under, HEAVY asked The Midnight Devils frontman Sam Spade to take the reins in what proved a master-stroke in terms of coaxing the best out of Todd.Spade and Todd connected instantly over rock and roll, discussing Buckcherry's upcoming Australian tour with Rose Tattoo and their new record, Vol. 10. They also talked about the band's history, their dedication to touring and live performances, and the challenges of being on the road. The conversation highlighted the band's resilience and commitment to their music, as well as the unique lifestyle of touring musicians.Josh and Sam also discussed the profound impact of sobriety on their creative processes and overall productivity. They emphasized the fallacy of associating substance use with creativity and expressed their commitment to maintaining sobriety despite the temptations they encounter in their industry. Additionally, they talked about the challenges and opportunities presented by the modern music industry, emphasizing the importance of embracing change and leveraging digital platforms to reach and engage with audiences.Check out the full interview to find out more.Buckcherry kick off the tour in Perth on September 24, with Aussie legends Rose Tattoo opening all shows.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

14 Elo 202429min

Melbourne grindcore/death metal outfit Remains are making their way to Queensland in the near future, nailing down one of thirty spots at the inaugural Necrosonic Festival to be held at Brisbane's Mansfield Tavern on August 31.Despite forming only five years ago, Remains have quickly built a formidable reputation on the live circuit, with the vast experience of members - who have previously been in highly reputed bands such as Blood Duster, Captain Cleanoff, The Kill, Fuck I’m Dead, King and The Day Everything Became Nothing - helping Remains gain an early solid fan base until the sheer brutality of their music forced others to follow suit.HEAVY recently caught up with Tonebone to find out what Brisbane can expect.In the full interview, Tonebone talks about the atmosphere backstage at larger local festivals, who he is most looking forward to seeing, the re-emergence of the Australian metal festivals, what to expect from a Remains live performance, three songs to listen to in order to get to know the band, their style of music and how best to describe it, establishing their own identity with a collection of members from other well-known bands, new music, future plans and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

13 Elo 20249min

Todd Hansen is one of those rare breed of musicians that is just plain nice.Almost too nice.Known, loved and respected for bashing the skins with bands like Headkase, The Berzerker, F.U.C and King Parrot, it is his contributions to things outside of and closely related to music that makes him not only a great skinsman but also a champion bloke.In his spare time Todd also teaches drums, lends his chops as a session drummer, travels the world doing what he loves, produces an entertaining podcast called Drumwell and generally spreads and shares his passion with all those who come within earshot of him. No ego. No judgement. No stress.But it is his work with charity organisations that is perhaps closest to his heart. Most recently Todd ran the gruelling Bridge To Brisbane race to raise money and awareness, but now is he about to lay himself bare - literally - like never before as he prepares to go under the blade to raise money for Support Act in a selfless show of faith that possibly rivals even that of the great Samson.Yep, on Saturday, August 17, Todd Hansen is saying goodbye to his safety blanket of the past 24 years as he gets his infamous dreadlocks removed from his body in an act of defiance that shall forever be referred to as Toddy's Dreadlock Chop. But don't take it from us, let Todd tell you in his own words."After 24 years, it’s time to lighten my head and chop off the dreads," he said. "And what better reason to raise some funds for the great work Support Act do for the people working within the Australian music industry? I’ll be losing the locks at 2.00pm AEST on Saturday 17th August, live-streaming at www.facebook.com/toddhansenofficial.I would like to raise $2424, to represent 24 years of my dreadlocks being cut off in 2024. All donations are greatly appreciated, and will help Support Act continue to provide their services to music industry workers in crisis."Check out the full interview for all of the gruesome details.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

11 Elo 202418min

Interview by Kris PetersMortality changed the landscape of Australian heavy metal when they burst onto the local scene back in 1992.Powered by an aggressive blending of thrash, death and groove metal, the band quickly established themselves as not just a musical force, but also a devastating and brutal live act that bludgeoned every aural sense possible. The world was theirs for the taking, with their 1997 album Structure gaining universal acclaim and paving the way for international dominance.But, unfortunately, just six months later Mortality went on hiatus, unsure if or when they would return to the fold.After a one-off sold-out show at the Empire Hotel, the band returned to the darkness once more, leaving a multitude of fans and lovers of metal in general demanding - but not necessarily receiving - more.While COVID ravaged the planet, it also provided the catalyst for a rebirth of Mortality and, as whispers slowly gave way to thunder, it became evident that the Metal Gods had intervened and renewed the spark in the Sydney metal outfit.2024 is the official return of Mortality, with the band set to play a leading role in Necrosonic Festival at Brisbane's Mansfield Tavern on August 31 alongside Psycroptic, Crypt, Lo!, Misery, Bulletbelt and more.HEAVY caught up with bass player Luke Ford to find out more. We start by asking if the nerves have kicked in for Necrosonic yet."We're ready," he shot back. "We've been rehearsing for close to a year, so it's good to get out of our room (laughs) and actually see people respond to what it is that we're doing. You never really know. We thought it was good. We thought we were doing well. But until you get in front of a crowd, and you've got all the usual elements that can impact it, you don't really know. Everyone's been doing music a long time and played in various bands over the years, so it was good when we did play last week to get the reaction that we were hoping for. Not really apprehensive, more just ready to destroy, to be honest."In the full interview, Luke talks more about Necrosonic Festival and the importance such gigs have on the Australian music scene, what bands he is looking forward to catching up with, the early days of Mortality, where their sound came from, their attitude towards self-promotion and getting their name out there, the changing landscape of music that saw them shift tides leading into the 1997 album Structure, their disbandment 6 months after that album and what led to the decision, the decision to reform Mortality and how it came about, writing new music, their first live show back last weekend, future plans and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

10 Elo 202417min