Shifting Transmission With JJ McCANN

Interview by Kris PetersTaylor Roberts started Riding With Killers long before joining Taproot as guitarist, but his newer band - for some reason - seems to get all of the attention.For now.While featuring solely as guitarist with Taproot, Roberts (formerly of Cathercist/Wild Fire) also lends his vocal chops to Riding With Killers (RWK), drenching the rock-infused music with a venomous swagger that oozes charisma.Since the release of their debut EP Get In, RWK have followed a steady trajectory through the ranks of emerging bands in search of that next level of success, and, based on the quality alone of last December's debut album Full Circle, should see that rise propelled much quicker.Also featuring ex-taproot drummer Dave Coughlin, RWK are a rock machine cut from the dirtiest cloth and with enough talent and experience within the ranks to satisfy even the most hardened critic. The fact the band are still releasing singles - the most recent being Hostility - nearly six months after the album came out is a testament to the quality of the material in itself.Roberts joined HEAVY from his holiday accommodation to tell us more."Dude, it's been pretty good," he enthused about the reception afforded Full Circle. "I don't feel like we've truly dug in yet, but with the things that we're doing, we are seeing an incredible response. Hostility is at Rock Radio right now, and I'm not a rich guy, I don't have a record label, I don't have rich parents, I don't have rich friends that just throw money at me, but I essentially threw a pebble at Rock Radio with that song and the response we're seeing is letting us know that we definitely have something real here. Funny enough, another song we had talked about doing as a single, Don't Fade Away - and even the company I am working with, they suggested that song too - we've started to see that song rise recently. We went from 6000 plays to 20000 plays within a matter of a couple of days. People are finally starting to hear the music. I feel like it's starting to get out and make the rounds and I think it's turning people's heads. I feel like we're starting to finally get recognised. It's paving a good path for us to start getting on the road and hitting these places that are showing us some love and really digging the material."In the full interview, Taylor discusses how you measure the success of a release in the modern age of music, the musical content of Full Circle, the diversity of the tracks on it, how Full Circle differs musically to Get In, the early days of the band and where they fit in, the transition from guitarist to guitarist and vocalist, future plans for the band, upcoming shows and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

31 Touko 202420min

Interview by Kris PetersAfter showing their potential over two previous albums Chance Collide and Cold Chamber, Melbourne rock outfit Cicadastone are ready to seal the deal with their third long player Future Echoes, which is out now.Taking the best bits and ideas from those first releases and putting them into the cauldron that is Cicadastone 2024, the band has created an album with a modern fresh edge, developing their own unique sound while staying truly authentic to the genre.Vocalist Mat Robins sat down with HEAVY to tell us more."I'm so relieved," he smiled when asked how it feels to get the new album out. "It's been such a journey. As any band will know, from the process of writing through to pre-production through to recording through to mixing and mastering and releasing it takes a long time. To get to the point where we could finally put it out there and put it to bed so to speak, let it go, it's great. We can move on as a band too."Being their third album, we ask Mat if the process gets easier or harder as you get further into your career."You'd think it would get easier, but I think it's getting harder," he measured. "We all have a lot of ties. We're all busy doing things. I'd love to say we're making a living out of music, but we're not. The band is its own entity which we pour our heart and soul into. That said, we all have lives to live. This record was really hard to lock everyone down and find time where we could. It took a bit longer than it probably should have, but that's just how it went."In the full interview, Mat talks more about Future Echoes, the single Take The Fall which Cicadastone released at the same time and why it was chosen to represent the album on release day, the other singles released and how they tie in with the album, the cover art and what it means, how Future Echoes differs musically to their debut album Chance Collide, their love for grunge music and decision to stick with it despite the changing trends of music, upcoming shows and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

31 Touko 202412min

Interview by Kris PetersQueensland melodic punk upstarts Fake News have successfully managed to bring together the attitude of punk, the essence of rock and the harmonious balance of nature into one uniting sonic force of cohesion that is almost impossible to resist.Since forming in the beautiful surroundings of the Gold Coast in 2017, Fake News have steadfastly refused to adhere to societal rules, instead focusing on producing their own brand of infectious grooves that has struck a chord with every lover of music who has crossed their path.Their 2021 debut album Everyday Warrior was widely regarded as amongst the albums of the year, with its unassuming yet edgy sound appealing to a broader fanbase than any one of their number of genres could hope to reach on their own.They followed that with last year's EP, Take Me Away, which furthered the band’s momentum and this week Fake News delivered the knockout blow with the catchy as fuck six-track EP Time & Place.Nick from Fake News joined HEAVY to discuss the EP and the musical revolution that defines them."It's pretty bloody good," he smiled modestly when asked about Time & Place. "If you haven't listened to it, yet you probably should because you will enjoy it. I promise you."With the EP being released a few days ago on May 29 we ask how it feels to finally have it out there and open for the world to judge."It's great," he sighed. "We've been hanging onto it for too long. It's been sitting there waiting and getting all the pieces in place that you've gotta have when it comes to releasing music. We had a few singles come out in the lead-up to it and that was all good, but it's great to get the EP out there and say this is it. This is what we've been working on. Just to see people's reactions to it, and it's been going pretty well - and that's what we expected. We haven't changed our style much. We've stuck with the tried and true formula that we love, and other people love, so you can't go wrong with that."In the full interview, Nick talks more about the EP musically, runs through each track individually and tells us more about them, releasing EP's as opposed to full albums in the modern age of music, the significance of the title, Time & Place, upcoming shows and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

31 Touko 202416min

Interview by Kris PetersUS thrash, crossover metal outfit Municipal Waste have been entertaining audiences since the turn of the century, combining everything you love about metal with a flippant and humorous disposition that permeates through their music.Since their 2003 debut album Waste 'Em All first introduced the world to Municipal Waste, the band have released a further six studio albums and four EPs the most recent of which was the awesome Electrified Brain in 2022.Starved of seeing Municipal Waste live since 2013, Australian audiences are preparing for the inevitable onslaught when the band starts their Wasted Australia Tour in Melbourne on July 5, with frontman Tony Foresta joining HEAVY to fill us in on all the glorious details."It's kind of hard sometimes to get tours booked there," he smiled when asked why he has neglected Australian fans for more than ten years. "And apparently y'all are getting a ton of tours now, more than you used to. So maybe people just overlooked us or whatever. But we always want to come back. I mean, I say this in every interview, but Australia is our favourite place to tour. So just ask us to come every year and we will. You've just got to invite us (laughs)."We ask what has changed with Municipal Waste since their last visit."I don't even know if Nick (Poulos, lead guitar) was in the band the last time we toured Australia," he measured. "I don't think so. Man, y'all are in for some shit, dude. We've gotten so much better. I mean, we got an extra guitar player. We sound better. We fucking… we've got our chops up, and we've got a whole lot of new songs that rule to play, too. So it's going to be a lot different than the last time we were there. But hopefully as violent, because that shit was fun."In the full interview, Tony further discussed the upcoming Municipal Waste tour of Australia, sharing details about the tour dates and the band's excitement to return after a long absence. He explained the band's decision to tour without a new album release and expressed their enthusiasm for playing in Australia, highlighting the band's improved sound and new songs. Tony also talked about what fans can expect from a Municipal Waste live show, emphasizing the chaotic and rowdy nature of the experience.Tony finished by providing insights into the formation of Municipal Waste in the early 2000s, driven by a desire to bring thrash metal back into popularity, and discussed the band's commitment to their musical style and their refusal to conform to industry trends for commercial gain.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

30 Touko 202412min

Interview by Kris PetersBrisbane/Meanjin metalcore outfit Wildheart have let their music do the talking from the outset, unafraid to tackle sensitive issues and even less distracted by the myriad of smokescreens that are rapidly punctuating the music scene as a whole.Their debut album Global Crisis – a body of work that drew attention and respect to a number of issues affecting Indigenous Australians – was named Gold Coast Music Awards Release Of The Year, also earning them a number of other awards and accolades.Not content to rest on their laurels, Wildheart followed that up last year with the brilliant single Sacred Ground before launching into 2024 with a new track Death Is All That’s Left.HEAVY sat down recently with Andrew (drums) and Adam (guitar) to talk more about the exciting future for Wildheart. Death Is All That's Left was premiered via HEAVY last month, so we start by asking how the early reception has been."The reception has been awesome," Andrew smiled. "We've gotten a lot of positive reviews and comments and a lot of traction online and sharing across all the platforms. We started up a TikTok and that's been going well, so we're really happy with the response and feedback we've got. I feel like with every release we work on we're stepping it up a notch, and it felt good that it was recognised."We ask the boys to dive deeper into the track musically."We really just wanted to hone in on some more of my metalcore influence," Adam offered. "So channelling a lot of Lost Together, Lost Forever era Architects, older Parkway Drive… there's a bit of Bury Your Dead and stuff like that mixed in there too, but we wanted to write something fast and heavy."In the full interview the boys discuss the lyrical content of Death Is All That's Left and the message they are trying to get across, if they think the message is getting through with music, having a song featured on Friday Night AFL Footy, previous single Sacred Ground, if the two songs are stand-alone singles or part of something bigger, possible future musical directions, upcoming shows and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

29 Touko 202416min

Interview by Rashid AlkamraihkiMelbourne based music machine Banks Arcade are in the prime of their musical career.Having recently completed the Death 2 A Muse Tour, Banks Arcade now set their sights on the release of new album A Muse, which will be unleashed on June 28.Formed over a shared love of music with a razor-sharp avant-garde aesthetic, Banks Arcade have always teetered on modernity; a fact displayed firmly on their 2018 debut EP Endnote, its 2020 follow-up Fever Dreams, and the group's head-turning singles Roses and Drown, both of which have gone on to amass well over 2 million individual streams.Releasing their full-length Future Lovers in 2022, Banks Arcade cemented their future-facing trademark style while also turning heads courtesy of their emphatic soundscapes, searing metal and hip-hop additions.Evolving from the darker sides explored on their recent DEATH 2 EP, released in February, A Muse finds the New Zealand-hailing, Melbourne-based quartet shedding the expected and instead flourishing between moments of searing rock, towering hooks, dance beats and fresh explorations into heavy surrounds.HEAVY interrogator Rashid caught up with the band the afternoon of their final Brisbane show to talk more about the album, the tour, the different stylistic choices between both EPs (Death 2 and A Muse) and releasing them as two separate works rather than an album, hotel stabbings and the price of cheese in New Zealand plus more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

28 Touko 202419min

Interview by Kris Peters*interview contains some language that may be offensive to some readers/listeners*Since bursting onto the scene in 2015, Melbourne noise machine Dregg have been a musical force unto themselves, throwing an eclectic mix of genres against the wall and making cherry pie with the resulting residue.Their music has always been ferocious, confronting, and, most importantly, different, with a fearless blend of elements of metal, hardcore, rap, and electronic music, crafting a sound that embodies their bold, no-rules attitude.But just when you thought it was safe to go back into the moshpit, Dregg return with a new lineup, increased energy and more metal in the form of new single Dog Cunts. It is a vicious, snarling slab of music that hints at the slightly newer direction Dregg will be taking with more upcoming music.New guitarist Zak Thom sat down with HEAVY to talk more, starting with the early response to the track that came out on May 17."(It's been) Great, actually," he enthused. "I honestly had no idea how it was going to go, because it's my first time being in a band that's had this much reach. So I'm fully just gauging off everything Chris (Mackertich, vocalist) says (laughs)."We ask if he attributes much of that positive response to the use of the suddenly popular C word in the title."Yeah, definitely," he laughed. "If you look at the comments that have been popping up, people are saying 'Dog Cunts, are these guys Aussie?' I feel like it's such a draw. Even when we sent it to our managers over in America, they loved it immediately. Just the fact it says Dog Cunts which is such an Aussie term."In the full interview, Zak talked more about the release of their new single Dog Cunts and the positive response it has received. He also talked about their upcoming album, which will feature heavier and more experimental elements, and their intention to explore diverse musical genres. He discussed the visual concept and storyline of the music video for Dog Cunts and the potential release date and the working title of the next album.Additionally, Zak introduced himself as one of the new band members and discussed Dregg's unique mix of music genres and their process of pushing boundaries in their music. He also talked about the band's upcoming show and how the addition of new members and a slightly more aggressive sound will alter the live performances.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

28 Touko 202416min

Interview by Kris PetersSwedish progressive power metal outfit Evergrey have had a long and distinguished career, chalking up 13 albums in their three-decade existence, in the process redefining the acceptable parameters for Swedish metal.Led since 1993 by guitarist/vocalist Tom S Englund, Evergrey have maintained their dark approach to a generally bright form of metal, spreading their musical wings further with each new release.Evergrey will release their 14th studio album Theories Of Emptiness on June 7, with keyboard player Rikard Zander spending time with HEAVY to discuss the new material. We start by asking if, after 13 previous album releases, the impending release of another is still a nerve-wracking process."Yeah, I've been there, done that," he shrugged, "but we still put so much effort into every album we do. We always try to do our best, and we always try to top the previous albums. So, of course, we are very anxious to see how it's going to be received. We're always a little bit nervous of course, because we've been in the process for such a long time so we really don't know… we don't have an objective side of it yet, so it feels good when you start to get some good reviews and hear people liking it (laughs).""We always try to find new angles for every release. I mean, we're not going to change completely. We still have a way, and we're going to put out great music, but we try to find a new way of writing, maybe just to try to keep it fresh. And I think the new angle on this album is mostly that Johan, our bass player, has written a lot of music, and he hasn't done that before."In the full interview, Rikard discussed Evergrey's new album Theories of Emptiness, highlighting the band's approach to creating fresh music and the influence of different band members on the album's sound. He also expressed surprise at early reviews calling it their best album ever, emphasizing the band's ongoing efforts to deliver high-quality music despite releasing numerous albums. He engaged in a detailed discussion about the album, covering various aspects such as the song titles, guest vocals, and the introduction of new elements, particularly the contribution of bass player Johan in songwriting. Rikard also provided insights into the band's upcoming world tour plans, including gigs in South America, European festivals, a Scandinavian tour, and a European tour in the fall.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

28 Touko 202418min