Challenging The Gods With RYAN KIRBY From FIT FOR A KING

Interview by Angela CroudaceAs The Juliana Theory prepares to celebrate the anniversary of their seminal album Emotion is Dead with a special Australian tour, frontman Brett Detar shares his thoughts on the album's creation, its unexpected impact, and what fans can expect in the future.Looking back, Brett recalls the humble beginnings of the album, created when he was just 21. “We were five kids from a small town who recorded in a tiny converted garage studio,” he says. “We made the album for very little money, and to think that it has had such an enduring impact—people telling us they named their child after our band or got married to a song off the record—is humbling.” Reflecting on how time has passed, he adds, “It’s wild to think that more time has passed since Emotion is Dead was made than I had lived at that point.”When it comes to the rapid rise to success the band experienced, Brett admits it was a gradual process. “We played local shows for a while, and then suddenly, after our first album Understand This as a Dream, we noticed the crowd size was doubling at venues. It was a shocking but exciting moment, but we were so young, we didn’t quite grasp how special it was,” he recalls.The upcoming tour marks a full circle moment for The Juliana Theory, as they join forces with The Spill Canvas, another beloved band from their era. Brett recounts a unique experience from 2019 when the two bands toured together in an unexpected way. “We did a US tour, but we played as just an acoustic duo. That tour reignited our passion for making music together, and it led to new songs, new recordings, and ultimately, us signing to Equal Vision.”Discussing the creation of Emotion is Dead, Brett explains the shift in the band’s approach after their first record. “We wanted to expand beyond just making a fast, poppy emo record. We wanted to experiment with longer songs, heavier sounds, and even throw in some Pink Floyd-inspired moments.” The album’s title, Emotion is Dead, came about in a joking conversation during the van ride, with Brett and the band brainstorming what would later become an iconic, yet tongue-in-cheek, statement about the genre.Despite the album’s association with the “emo” label, Brett admits the band has never fully embraced the term. “At first, we thought it fit, but then it started feeling limiting. We’ve always tried to push boundaries and not just fit into one box.”Bret neatly wrapped up his feelings, saying; “It feels special to see how much Emotion is Dead still means to people, and it’s even more exciting to bring new music into the mix."Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

5 Huhti 21min

Interview by Kris PetersBands of renown all boast a number of great albums to their name. But within that body of work, there is always that one album. That magnum opus. That genre-defining, gravity-defying masterpiece that sets a standard by which not only their peers, but the band themselves are measured by forever more. For ATREYU, THE CURSE is that album.With their legacy as one of the originators and frontrunners of metalcore, and a reputation as one of its greatest live bands, ATREYU could have easily rested on their laurels with their notoriety assured for life. Instead, they have embraced growth and evolution, seamlessly morphing between styles but always ending up with killer results.July 2025 will see ATREYU return to Australia to celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Curse with a series of never to be repeated shows that will see them play the songs from the album as well as other fan favourites. Joining them will be Texan metalcore titans Memphis May Fire, who will be making their first trip to Australia in over a decade.HEAVY caught up with Atreyu guitarist Dan Jacobs to get a gauge on what to expect."Yeah, it's exciting," he enthused. "We've never been down that way with Memphis before, and they've been friends of ours for a long time. We've done several tours with them before, so it's always fun to tour with them. It made sense. Also, getting to come down and play The Curse in its entirety… It's gonna be a good time."We ask Dan what some of his memories are of making The Curse."Oh, man," he sighed. "I remember when we recorded it - or demoed it I should say - we had the whole album completely written and recorded in the order that you hear it on the album now. We just put the whole thing together and when we turned it in to the producer and asked if it was cool, he said yeah, let's record this. It's actually pretty interesting how much the demos and the recording… it's just all the same thing, as opposed to chopping songs up or moving things around or changing the order. But we demoed it the same way it is on the record, which is kind of fun. We recorded it up in Canada on this island. Half of it was done in the studio in Vancouver in Bryan Adams' studio. It's called The Warehouse. We did basically the pre-pro there and then some drums and when we came back when we were done for a week we did all the mixing. The majority of the two weeks of recording were all on this island where we were basically locked there to an extent. We didn't leave for two weeks. We didn't leave this dudes house. We just stayed at his house and recorded for two weeks. We didn't go to any bars or restaurants or anywhere. We just stayed at this dudes house in the woods in the middle of nowhere. It was kind of making us go crazy a little bit, and I think that all played into the vibe of the album a little bit."In the full interview, Dan talks more about making The Curse and what that album means to Atreyu, whether or not they knew they had struck gold when they wrote and recorded it, what to expect from Atreyu live, new music, the early days of the band and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

5 Huhti 11min

Interview by Kris PetersSydney punk/rock outfit Crash & The Crapenters have become well known since their 2016 debut for their signature immature but experienced psychedelic rock that touches on themes of mental health, addiction, and burnout, and their latest EP Species Du Faeces is a showcase of their sound.This four-track journey - which is out now - is packed with homages to their musical influences, the first of which is the album name, a reference toSpecies Deceases, the 1985 Midnight Oil EP.HEAVY caught up with singer/songwriter Chris Carpenter to go more in-depth."We honestly feel, at this point in time, creatively it's a turning point for us," Carpenter voiced. "We're already looking forward to what we do next. The working title for our next album which is in pre-production at the moment is Surpass, and we'd like to think that we're going to be able to surpass everything that we've done before with what we do. When you look back at Midnight Oil's career, they pretty much were able to do that and achieve their greatest creativity and their greatest successes after having used Species Deceases as that sort of bridging that gap between Red Sails and Diesel and Dust."In the full interview, Chris provided an overview of his band, Crash & The Crapenters, and their new EP, Species Du Faeces, which features four thematically linked tracks addressing drug abuse and its consequences. The title pays homage to Midnight Oil's Species Deceases, reflecting the band's influences.We explored individual tracks, including All Geared Up, which narrates personal experiences with drugs and party culture, and Depression, (Smells Like Middle-Aged Spirit), which delves into mental health struggles, plans for the rest of 2025 moving forward plus more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

2 Huhti 20min

Interview by Kris PetersIt's been a long six years between drinks for Adelaide chaotic hardcore outfit Life Pilot, with their last new music coming in the form of a stand-alone single back in 2019. After giving fans a taste of their sonic force with a 2013 Compass split record with Statues (WA), their debut EP High Noon in 2014 and second EP Too Hot For Killing in 2017 Life Pilot would release just two more singles in the ensuing eight years but have more than made up for their absence with the recent release of their self-titled debut album.The album speaks on numerous themes; fear, doubt, frustration, self-reflection, compulsions, night terrors, societal expectations and how these all play into personal connections and our interaction with the world around us. It is a deeply personal record for the band members and lyrically it is predominantly introspective with a focus on close relationships. With the benefit of age and maturity, Life Pilot felt now was the right time to open up through their music, resulting in a more dynamic and vulnerable side of their musical psyche to come to the fore.HEAVY caught up with drummer Eli Green to talk more."It's a pretty hectic 12 tracks of chaotic, angular metalcore," he surmised on the album's musical direction, "but it's got some beautiful moments tucked within it. We self-recorded and produced the whole thing, which is pretty cool."We ask what expectations - if any - the band had considering it was their first full-length album."We really weren't sure because we've taken a long time to put this together," Green measured. "This whole thing started before COVID and then obviously that wiped everything out for a while, and we had band members having kids and all sorts of stuff throughout that period. So we weren't in any rush to churn out a record. The time to capitalise and keep momentum had long gone in the pandemic. We then just wanted to make something that we were really proud of. I guess what we expected as far as a response was anything from crickets to what we got, which was in the first couple of days we ended up at the top of the iTunes charts, which was a first for our band. That was really quite amazing. We just thought, wow, after all this time, it seems like there's some people who care about this as much as we do and want to support it."In the full interview, Eli introduced Life Pilot's new album in greater detail, emphasizing its blend of chaotic hardcore and metalcore which reflects the band's personal growth and significant life events. HEAVY inquired about the expectations for the album's release and the selection of singles, to which Green responded that while they did not extensively analyse their past work, they aimed to connect with their earlier style while exploring new musical elements. The emotional depth of the lyrics, especially in the final track, was noted as a significant shift from previous themes.Eli also described the unpredictable nature of Life Pilot's live performances, comparing them to Southern metalcore shows, and expressed enthusiasm for their upcoming interstate tour, highlighting the energy of all-ages shows and the memorable experiences they create and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

1 Huhti 20min

Interview by Angela CroudaceCollin Walsh from Grayscale sat down to chat about the band’s long-awaited Australian debut, musical evolution, and behind-the-scenes moments that have shaped their career. With their first-ever tour Down Under just around the corner, Grayscale is eager to experience the country’s culture and share their music with fans who’ve been waiting for years.Collin revealed, “We’ve never been to Australia before. It’s a first for us. I’ve done long flights to places like Indonesia and South Africa, but travelling as a band is a whole different beast. We have 20 pieces of equipment, eight people, and always a few hiccups at the counter. It’s slow and tricky, but we’re thrilled for the opportunity.”The band’s anticipation is also fuelled by their fans in Australia, who have been loyal and patient. “We’ve been trying to come for years, but the pandemic messed up our plans. Finally, we’re here and can’t wait to give our Aussie fans everything they’ve been waiting for,” said Collin.The band's latest album, The Heart, released earlier this year, marks a refined version of their sound. “It feels like a culmination of everything we’ve done before, but it's more cohesive. It’s us finding our sound,” Collin shared. The album blends rock, punk, and alt influences, but Collin hints at future possibilities for Grayscale’s sound, saying, “I can see us leaning into more straight-up rock in the future. We don’t plan things ahead of time, but we let the music naturally evolve.”In terms of success, the band is more focused on the live experience than any individual track. Their hit Forever Yours, which recently surpassed 20 million streams, is a fan favourite, but Collin remains humble. “I don’t think of success that way. I love playing the music live, interacting with fans—that’s what it’s all about.”When asked about their influences, Collin points to a mix of '90s alt rock and classic rock. “Third Eye Blind, Eve 6, Fuel, and Wallflowers were huge for me growing up. And of course, Zeppelin and AC/DC.”As for future collaborations, Collin’s dream partner would be Led Zeppelin, his all-time favourite band. “I just want to pick their brains. They’re the best rock band ever, in my opinion.”The band’s longevity is also built on their strong friendship. Having known each other since their teenage years, they’re still as close as ever. “We’ve been through a lot together, and we’ve stayed best friends since we were kids,”.Looking ahead, Collin is excited to keep creating and evolving. “We just want to keep making music that resonates, connecting with our fans through honest and emotional lyrics. And Australia, we’re coming for you!”Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

1 Huhti 23min

Interview by Angela CroudaceBuster Bloodvessel, the iconic frontman of the legendary ska band Bad Manners, is about to bring the party to Australia with the band's greatest hits. As they prepare to perform for eager fans down under, Buster reflects on the band's incredible journey through the music scene and the ever-changing world of touring. From the early days of Bad Manners to their upcoming shows in Australia, Buster's enthusiasm for keeping the energy high on stage has never wavered.The band is known for its high-octane performances, and their Aussie tour will be no different. When asked what fans can expect from the show, Buster says it’s going to be “the best of Bad Manners,” packed with all the classics. “We’re not going to run away from any songs. We’re playing the hits that everyone loves,” he shares. The European crowds have already been loving it, and Buster’s looking forward to the fun-loving Aussies who, as he notes, have a similar energy to European audiences.Bad Manners has been part of the ska scene for decades, a genre that has seen many changes along the way. So, what’s the biggest difference Buster has seen? “The internet,” he says. “It’s changed a lot about the music business. People can find music so much easier now, and it’s been great to see our audience grow, especially younger fans.” Despite the many changes, Buster remains proud to be at the forefront of the ska movement. “I didn’t think we’d last this long,” he laughs, “but here we are, still doing it.”While Buster acknowledges that getting older has made the rigours of touring a little more challenging, he still finds the energy he needs. “Once you’re on stage, and you feel that crowd, the adrenaline kicks in,” he says. "You forget about how tired you are."Looking back at the early days, Buster recounts how Bad Manners formed with a simple idea in mind: “We all went to school together, and I thought, why not form a band instead of just going to reunions? It’s been 50 years, and I’m honored we’re still doing this.” It’s clear that his passion for music—and for performing—is as strong as ever.One of Buster’s most memorable moments on stage came when the band played a massive festival to 110,000 people. “The crowd was going crazy, and the earth was actually moving,” he remembers. “You could see the trees swaying to the beat. It was absolutely mind-blowing.”But it's not all about the music for Buster. When he’s not on tour, he enjoys unwinding with some DIY projects and relaxing on his houseboat. He also has properties in Bulgaria, which he works on when he's not touring. “I haven’t had a proper holiday in years, but I feel lucky,” Buster says with a laugh. “Being in a band that travels so much, I get to experience so many places, so it’s like a holiday in itself.”With an impressive catalogue of hits, it’s no surprise that Sally Brown is one of Buster’s favourite songs to perform. "It’s a classic,” he says. "Every time we play it, the crowd just goes wild.” And while the band has faced its fair share of controversy, like getting banned from Top of the Pops for Buster's infamous red-painted head, he takes it all in stride. “I didn’t realise that the red paint messed with the cameras. They told me it made it look like I didn’t have a head, but hey, it’s all part of the fun!”Buster’s connection with his fans has been strong since the very beginning, especially when he shares stories of his past interactions. My dad was lucky enough to meet the band back in the day and was spot on about Buster being an all-round down to earth, friendly chap with a wicked sense of humour. “It’s always great to hear that people remember us fondly, not just for the music, but for who we are as people.”With the band still rocking after all these years, it’s evident that Bad Manners isn’t slowing down anytime soon. As Buster prepares to bring the fun to Australia, fans can expect nothing less than an unforgettable show filled with energy, nostalgia, and of course, all the best Bad Manners hits.Get ready, Australia—Bad Manners is bringing the party, and Buster Bloodvessel’s still got it!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

1 Huhti 12min

Interview by Kris PetersMelbourne rock outfit Shotgun Mistress have been riding the wave of their most recent album, Kings Of The Revolution ever since it was released last June.It was a strong, powerful and infectious collection of hard rock tunes that came as close as you could probably get to the exhilarating live experience of catching Shotgun Mistress on stage, opening the door for shows with Dirty Honey, Slaughter, The Poor, Mammal and The Midnight Devils as well as taking the band to Japan.After such an exhausting 8 month period you could forgive Shotgun Mistress for putting their feet up for a spell, but that's not the case. Instead, they are hitting the road again through April in support of legendary US rockers Winger - touring Australia for the first and last time with the full original line up.HEAVY tracked down enigmatic frontman Glenn Patrick to find out more."It is going to be absolutely amazing," he enthused. "We're absolutely honoured to be a part of it. We've taken a bit of hiatus for a couple of months since our album launch back end of last year and building up to this tour."We point out that supporting Winger is a pretty fair reason for breaking the hiatus."It was quite short-lived," Patrick laughed. "We had another tour that we were going to be doing with Mike Tramp in January which fell through, but instead of that, we got Winger, so we're super happy, because Winger, I think, is more where we sit musically as well."In the full interview, we discuss Shotgun Mistress' tour with Winger, focusing on the excitement of the original line up's return. They expressed gratitude for local support and discussed the dual responsibilities of a support act, including warming up the crowd and ensuring a smooth performance. Glenn emphasized the importance of showmanship and audience engagement, while also reflecting on the challenges of performing for new audiences.We shared insights into their music, with Glenn noting key tracks like Shot Down and Mary Jane for fans to listen to ahead of the tour. He also mentioned the positive reception of their second album, Kings of the Revolution, and the band's intention to explore new musical directions while maintaining their unique sound and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

31 Maalis 17min

Interview by Kris PetersSydney metal outfit Inertia announced themselves on the scene last year with the release of their debut album, Second Shadow.Blending the boundaries of the genre by bringing elements of dark pop and soul to the surface of a melting pot that traverses the darkest reaches of hard rock and metal, Second Shadow opened Inertia up to a generation of music lovers yearning for acceptance through music.It helped secure the quintet a host of shows, touring the nation extensively supporting Polaris, Dayseeker (US), Bury Tomorrow (US), Northlane, Holding Absence, Caskets (UK), Thy Art Is Murder, Thornhill and more. They played Good Things Festival Sydney last December, and recently travelled their way across regional Australia with In Hearts Wake.It has been true reward for effort, culminating in their own headline Australia tour, starting April 19 in Sydney and hitting Brisbane and Adelaide before finishing in Melbourne on April 27.HEAVY caught up with guitarist Mark, bass player Oliver and vocalist Julian to find out the details. We mention the compact nature of the tour, focusing on the capital cities."We just wanted to hit the capital cities, and hopefully we can get to some of the regional spots later on in the year," Mark explained. "But yeah, just for our first headliner tour for the album, we'll keep it short and sweet."Which leads to HEAVY asking how Inertia thinks the public reacted to Second Shadow."The reception's been really good," Oliver smiled. "It has exceeded expectations for us. Streams are going really well and live, people seem to receive the songs really well as well. So, yeah, it's blown expectations out of the water."In the modern age of music where streaming is king and figures are readily available, we ask how deeply a band looks into the rabbit hole and how they measure expectations when it comes to a debut album."I think it's just do better," Julian measured. "Each record needs to be bigger and better. I don't think we go into an album thinking we're going to get a specific result. We just write the best music that we can at that given time and push ourselves to be better. The result in terms of how fans latch onto the record and the streamings… everything's secondary to making good music."In the full interview, discussion centred on Inertia's upcoming headline tour. The band shared their excitement about promoting their debut album, Second Shadow, emphasizing their dedication to quality music and the evolution of their sound, which blends various influences and defies strict genre classification.The band reflected on their recent tour experiences with In Heart's Wake, Reliqa, and Ocean Sleeper, highlighting both the challenges and memorable moments, such as a humorous birthday celebration. Looking ahead, they plan to focus on writing new music and organizing future tours, encouraging fans to follow their social media for ticket updates.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

30 Maalis 10min