From SOUNDGARDEN to Shallow: ZAAC THOMPSON of NONBERK on Nature, Music, and The Band's Evolution

From SOUNDGARDEN to Shallow: ZAAC THOMPSON of NONBERK on Nature, Music, and The Band's Evolution

Interview by Angela Croudace
Brisbane-based alternative rock trio Nonberk have made waves in the local scene since their formation in 2019. Led by frontman Zaac Thompson, the band's sound channels heavy 90s grunge influences like Soundgarden, Silverchair, and Alice In Chains. Their powerful riffs and raw lyrics have earned them a dedicated following, with each release bringing something fresh to the table.
In a candid interview, Zaac shared insights into Nonberk's journey, creative process, and new single, Shallow, which captures their evolving sound. The band's origin story goes back to Zaac's university days, where he met drummer Sam Monk. Their shared love for music soon brought bass player Kevin Boga into the fold, who had been active in Brisbane's alternative rock scene. Despite line-up changes and the challenges posed by the pandemic, Nonberk found their groove during lockdowns, using the time to focus on writing and refining their music.
Regarding the band's name, Zaac admits that coming up with something unique was a challenge. "I wanted something original—something you'd never forget," he says. Nonberk is a made-up word, symbolising the band's unconventional approach to music. For Zaac, it represents a "non stupid person" in a playful, self-deprecating way, reflecting their experimental nature and desire to push musical boundaries.
The band's latest album, Elements, marks a significant shift in their sound. After a line-up change, Zaac swapped from bass to guitar, influencing the new tracks' dynamics. The album's theme draws inspiration from nature, with songs written in various outdoor settings, from beaches to forests. Shallow, the first single from the album, exemplifies this connection to nature. Zaac explains that the song's flowing verses reflect the serenity of the beach, while the deeper lyrical themes explore existential questions about loss and the human experience.
Beyond his work with Nonberk, Zaac's musical influences span across genres. From the hard-hitting riffs of Black Sabbath to the quirky humour of Tenacious D, he draws inspiration from a wide range of artists. "I try to pull influences from all kinds of music," he says, mentioning his appreciation for jazz and classical music alongside rock and metal.
Nonberk's music is marked by its emotional depth and sonic texture, with collaborations like the one with cellist Nicholas Tam on their album adding further richness to their sound.
With an album launch on the horizon and plans for a 5th-anniversary edition of their debut album, Nonberk is poised for an exciting year ahead. Zaac says, "It's all about challenging ourselves and pushing our sound to new places." Keep an eye on them—Nonberk's journey is only just beginning.

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Backstage chats with ALL TIME LOW At GOOD THINGS 2025

Backstage chats with ALL TIME LOW At GOOD THINGS 2025

HEAVY was lucky to again be invited backstage at Good Things 2025 to chat with the bands about their shows and other fun stuff. Today, Angela gets cozy with All Time Low.Big thanks to Destroy All Lines and the team at Dallas Does PR for allowing us to share the day with them. Big thanks also to the team - Kyra, Geoffro and Angela as well as our new video team, Grey & Brook.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

11 Joulu 8min

Backstage Chats With YOURS TRULY At GOOD THINGS 2025

Backstage Chats With YOURS TRULY At GOOD THINGS 2025

HEAVY was lucky to again be invited backstage at Good Things 2025 to chat with the bands about their shows and other fun stuff. Today, Kyra and Angela get up close with Yours Truly. Big thanks to Destroy All Lines and the team at Dallas Does PR for allowing us to share the day with them. Big thanks also to the team - Kyra, Geoffro and Angela as well as our new video team, Grey & Brook.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

11 Joulu 13min

Living In A Perfect World With STEVE TULIPANA From SEASON TO RISK

Living In A Perfect World With STEVE TULIPANA From SEASON TO RISK

In 1994, Season to Risk had been on tour for the past four years, playing as a young opening band on legendary shows with Killdozer, Unsane, Neurosis, Prong and Killing Joke. Their first album had sold well, with songs charting on radio and getting music video airtime on MTV and Canada's Much Music. There was an opportunity to take advantage of the popular wave of alt rock and nu metal dominating the air waves and being signed unexpectedly to major label Columbia Records put them in the position that they had amazing support as artists, but also someone to answer to and the machine must be fed.The band decided instead to work with Martin Bisi (producer of Sonic Youth, Foetus, Swans, Cop Shoot Cop) and use their major label money to deliver a punishing post hardcore masterpiece of crushing noise rock, In A Perfect World. The album has become a cult classic and over the course of the past 30 years, some of the songs off In A Perfect World became mainstays in live shows.And now, Season To Risk have decided the time is right to revisit that timeless album, having In A Perfect World remastered by Duane Trower (Weights & Measures Soundlab), creating a reissue that gains new clarity without losing its raw urgency. Released on Record Store Day in the United States, In A Perfect World has been rejigged to embrace the modern sound, with Season To Risk using the experience to harness their focus and energy into live shows and a new record.Singer Steve Tulipana joined HEAVY to take us behind the scenes. We start by asking if the nerves are any different, releasing the same album three decades later."I mean, it's weird," he smiled, "It's 30 years old, which is kind of a trip obviously for us. To think about how much time has passed… It doesn't feel like 30 years ago by any means, which is over half my life. I'm more nervous because we have some US dates we're going to start. It's a pretty gruelling little run of shows we're doing, and we haven't done that in many, many years. So that's got me nervous, more than the record coming out".Going into In A Perfect World back in 1994, Season To Risk had just finished four years on the road and were understandably more than a little jaded. We ask Steve if this had any effect on the finished product."Yes, I do think we were (jaded)," he nodded. "So a lot of the material from the first record - and it's a cleaner record for sure - we were young, and it was our first material that you take a bunch of years to write. Then you get signed, and then it was delayed forever. We were always trying to challenge ourselves, and we were wanting to be more… it's not like it was incredibly conscious. I mean, we didn't want to sell out, but we were trying to find this heavy thing. We had some road on us, and we had some life experience on us at that point so it was darker and things were a little more fucked up. To be candid, I was a little more fucked up in my head, but that's the experience you go through, right?"In the full interview, Steve focused on the reissue of In A Perfect World, reflecting on the surreal nature of the album's 30-year anniversary. The remastering process was highlighted, with improvements made by guitarist Duane Trower being explained, although digital rights for a remastered version have not been granted by Sony, leaving fans without a digital option for now.The conversation also explored the band's artistic evolution, with Steve discussing their maturation and the incorporation of new elements like synthesizers in their upcoming material. The importance of clarity in lyrics while maintaining a unique sound was emphasized. We spoke about the release of a new album, with the aim for completion by the first quarter of the next year.Steve discussed the natural evolution of Season To Risk and how it has impacted their music and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

11 Joulu 23min

Backstage chats with COBRA STARSHIP At GOOD THINGS 2025

Backstage chats with COBRA STARSHIP At GOOD THINGS 2025

HEAVY was lucky to again be invited backstage at Good Things 2025 to chat with the bands about their shows and other fun stuff. Today, Angela sits down for an awesome one on one with Cobra Starship.Big thanks to Destroy All Lines and the team at Dallas Does PR for allowing us to share the day with them. Big thanks also to the team - Kyra, Geoffro and Angela as well as our new video team, Grey & Brook.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

10 Joulu 8min

Backstage chats with WINDWAKER At GOOD THINGS 2025

Backstage chats with WINDWAKER At GOOD THINGS 2025

HEAVY was lucky to again be invited backstage at Good Things 2025 to chat with the bands about their shows and other fun stuff. Today, Kyra gets to know Aussie metal sensations Windwaker.Big thanks to Destroy All Lines and the team at Dallas Does PR for allowing us to share the day with them.Big thanks also to the team - Kyra, Geoffro and Angela as well as our new video team, Grey & Brook.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

10 Joulu 11min

Bringing The Discovery Down Under With CAMERON LOSCH From BORN OF OSIRIS

Bringing The Discovery Down Under With CAMERON LOSCH From BORN OF OSIRIS

Interview by Angela CroudaceAfter years of anticipation, Born of Osiris are finally set to return to Australia this coming March and for drummer Cameron Losch, the excitement is doubled. While the band last toured the country six years ago, Cameron himself hasn’t performed on Australian soil for roughly a decade due to an injury during their previous run. “I am just so excited. It’s been way too long,” he says, reflecting on how much he loved every visit in the past.Some of his clearest memories include being pranked about “drop bears” moments after landing, and wandering through bushland stunned by wild kangaroos an experience far removed from his Midwest home. This time, he’s hoping for more of those uniquely Australian moments, plus a chance to reconnect with fans face-to-face, something he’s grown to treasure deeply on recent tours.Australia will also be among the first to witness a major milestone: the 15-year anniversary celebration of The Discovery. The band is performing eight tracks from the beloved album, reworked with fresh flair. Cameron promises surprises, intensity, and some of the most challenging drumming of his career.Sharing the bill with the crushing Signs of the Swarm, Born of Osiris’ March run is shaping up to be an unmissable blend of nostalgia, evolution, and explosive energy. Australia, get ready, they’re coming back stronger than ever.BORN OF OSIRIS and SIGNS OF THE SWARM 2026 Australian Tour DatesWednesday 18th March ADELAIDE, Lion Arts FactoryThursday 19th March MELBOURNE, Max WattsFriday 20th March BRISBANE, Brightside OutdoorsSaturday 21st March SYDNEY, Manning BarTickets From: https://thephoenix.au/born-of-osiris-2026/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

10 Joulu 26min

Backstage chats with LORNA SHORE At GOOD THINGS 2025

Backstage chats with LORNA SHORE At GOOD THINGS 2025

HEAVY was lucky to again be invited backstage at Good Things 2025 to chat with the bands about their shows and other fun stuff. Today, Kyra and Angela chat with the most brutal band on the bill, Lorna Shore. Big thanks to Destroy All Lines and the team at Dallas Does PR for allowing us to share the day with them.Big thanks also to the team - Kyra, Geoffro and Angela as well as our new video team, Grey & Brook.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

10 Joulu 15min

Backstage chats with NEW FOUND GLORY At GOOD THINGS 2025

Backstage chats with NEW FOUND GLORY At GOOD THINGS 2025

HEAVY was lucky to again be invited backstage at Good Things 2025 to chat with the bands about their shows and other fun stuff. Today, Angela and Kris speak with New Found Glory, who were the perfect band to start the day.Big thanks to Destroy All Lines and the team at Dallas Does PR for allowing us to share the day with them.Big thanks also to the team - Kyra, Geoffro and Angela as well as our new video team, Grey & Brook.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

10 Joulu 12min

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