Keeping Your Head Above Water With NTH RD
Interview by Kris PetersThere is no substitute for youthful exuberance and commitment, especially in the music industry.While some people tackle the perils of the music world from a young age with an air of arrogance and indifference at what the future may hold, it is the ones who approach music with an open mind and respectful heart that tend to be in it for the long haul.Take Melbourne metalcore act Nth Rd for example. These guys started out playing music as schoolmates in their garage, belting out Metallica covers to get their musical fix.From there the boys honed their craft and harnessed their skills so that by the time they were ready to unleash their debut EP Panic on the world they had already built a steady fan base and laid a solid platform from which to launch the future.Panic dealt with the different stages of a panic attack, and they continue that theme of self growth and understanding on new single River.River sets off on a journey to uncover where trauma stems from and how it can shape a person, dealing with topics considered taboo or too personal by many. But not so Nth Rd who not only write these songs to help with their own problems, but also commit them to verse in an attempt to guide and help others.Jordan Kellaway (vocals), Lucas Banim (bass) and John Mihaloudakis (drums) sat down with HEAVY recently to talk through the song."It's been really, really good," Kellaway enthused of the early reception afforded River. "think it's the best received song we've ever had in terms of how our audience is engaging with it. People are telling us their own takes on what the meaning of the song is and people really seem to resonate with it. That emotional resonance as a songwriter is something you really strive for so it's really good to see that reception."We ask the boys to dive into the musical nature of River."The interesting thing about the song is we probably started writing it well over a year and a half ago," Banim explained. "So it's gone through a lot of iterations, but I think coming out of the last EP... the first EP we did was Panic and then the single we released at the end of last year, Watch You Fade Away, we kind of just wanted to hone in on what our strengths were and just go 100% with it. So I think with this one we were trying to look at what worked in the past and how we can fine tune that to hone in on the best parts of our sound and push that as much as we could."In the full interview the boys talk more about the meaning behind River, their decision to focus on real human problems and emotions, how writing songs of this nature has helped them deal with adversity, new music and what it will sound like, their early days jamming in the garage, how they are finding the music industry and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
7 Kesä 202320min
Locked & Loaded With RICHIE FAULKNER From ELEGANT WEAPONS
Interview by Kris PetersThere are supergroups in this world, and then there are groups of musicians that have such a good pedigree even the term (which I incidentally hate) Supergroup is not enough.One such band is undoubtedly Elegant Weapons - comprised of guitarist Richie Faulkner (Judas Priest), vocalist Ronnie Romero (Rainbow), drummer Christopher Williams (Accept) and bass player Dave Rimmer (Uriah Heap) - who recently released their debut album Horns For A Halo.The album understandably combines the plethora of experience and influences inherent in all of these musicians, creating a homage to 1970s and 80s metal that can only come from the creative talents of those who lived through the era.When you throw in that Rex Brown (bass, Pantera) and Scott Travis (drums, Judas Priest) played their parts on the recording before giving way to Williams and Rimmer in the live arena, and it becomes clearly evident just how good Elegant Weapon are.Just by assembling a group of talented musicians a band isn't necessarily guaranteed success. It is the smaller things and nuances that bring a band together and create that magic, with Faulkner sitting down with HEAVY to discuss just that and the album in greater detail."It's melodic and heavy but somewhere between heavy metal and hard rock," he explained of the album. The album has enjoyed great early success - both critically and commercially - with Faulkner admitting that even with his sustained personal success in the industry it is always a little daunting putting out new material."You never know," he answered. "All you can do is do your best and give it 1000%, and then you release it onto the world. It's like your kids. You do your best and then let it do its thing. It could be well received, it might not be, but you've just got to put it out there. The best thing really you can ask for is that people listen to it, they give it their opinion - and there's so many things you can listen to these days. I feel honoured really that people give us the time of day. With the internet these days you can give your opinion - good or bad - and I think that's a beautiful thing and I'm honoured to be in that position."In the full interview, Richie talks more about the sound of Horns For A Halo, assembling the right members for the band, why he went with Brown and Travis on the album and Rimmer and Williams live, recreating a sound from the past with a modern flavour, why he chose to cover UFO's track Light's Out on the album, getting chemistry within the band and how long that took, his recent brush with death, future plans and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
7 Kesä 202312min
Musical Mayhem With KEI From VIOLENT MAGIC ORCHESTRA
Interview by Kris PetersJapanese metal outfit Violent Magic Orchestra (VMO) are certainly a unique experience. Harmoniously integrating the genre of black metal music with techno, industrial, and noise in the form of an art-project, VMO can be best summed up as sounding like Black metal meets Kraftwerk.Violent Magic Orchestra combine numerous genres and sub-genres of music united together in a form of live-performances with the contribution from Kezzardrix - a maestro of live-visuals with strobe lights and smoke machines accompanying band’s performance. They are a stunning visual band and a captivating live band and will make their way to Tasmania later this month to play at Dark Mofo.HEAVY caught up with one of the members Kei to find out more."Our music is very dark and a little bit happy," he explained. "VMO has many strange members, like Master Of Strange Dance. We have a lot of noise people who make noise and more beat and experimental space. We have a lot of hidden members. I think we are a strange collective who work a lot of other things. After releasing Death Rave I want to show who joined VMO." VMO will be releasing their new album Death Rave later this year, and we ask Kei if it will be what fans expect."We hope Death Rave... In our opinion Death Rave is huger music. Our concept is 2099, the end of the world. Now we live in 2023 and our music is a little bit experimental, but in 2099 our music is like pop music," he offered. "We connect future pop music and nowadays experimental music. We want to make the road to the future now using dance and mosh pit sounds."In the full interview Kei talks about playing at Dark Mofo, what to expect from a VMO show, their recent single Venom, new single Supergaze, a brief history of the band, the blending of sounds and where it comes from, more on Death Rave and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
1 Kesä 20239min
Musical Creation With BLACKIE From HARD-ONS
Interview by Kris PetersThe Hard-Ons are the ultimate Aussie punk rock larrikins and purveyors of great music.Over thirteen previous albums the quality of the Hard-Ons music has only been superseded by their attitude and humour inherent both in their songs, their general demeanor, and their now legendary live performances.At the turn of this decade the band welcomed in new singer Tim Rogers (You Am I), with the future uncertain in the fact that Rogers - while a great vocalist and frontman in his own right - was not the first choice for some of the band's long term fans.But, as is usual with the hard-Ons, they cared little for public sentiment and opinion and pressed forward into the unknown, confident that this would provide a new, successful chapter in the bands illustrious career.The ensuing album I'm Sorry Sir, That Riffs Been Taken was a breath of fresh air on the music scene, combining the punk ethos of the Hard-Ons with Rogers own unique characteristics to become one of the smash records of 2021.The tour that followed only solidified the strength of the Hard-Ons, with Rogers quickly dispelling any doubts over his ability to take the band forward.With the Hard-Ons to release the follow up album, Ripper '23, today, June 2 - the first album started and completed together by the new line-up - HEAVY caught up with guitarist Peter 'Blackie' Black to find out more."Every record is a step up (from the last one)," he explained. "If your records aren't a step up from your last one then you should give up. Wherever we are or whatever we do, whatever we do next is gonna be better than the one before. I feel really strongly about this one. It's a huge step up from the last one."HEAVY reviewed the album recently and described it as a catchy release with a bit of something there for everyone, a point Blackie agrees with."I think that also shows our age, because albums really excite us," he measured. "Just those old albums in our collection, and for us an album is a journey from beginning to end. So that's what we try to do as well. It's not a conscious effort of putting in a little bit of everything, but just having this smooth, flowing pieces of work."In the full interview, Blackie talks more about the album musically, if the Hard-Ons have their own sound by now, how Tim has settled into the band on his second album, if the process was different this time around, their upcoming Ripper '23 tour and what to expect, touring Europe for the 20th time and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
1 Kesä 202315min
Bringing A Tidal Wave Of Energy With STEVEN & VERONICA From AVALANCHE
Interview by Kris PetersMoondoll 2023 hits the Mansfield Tavern in Brisbane this Saturday, and, as usual, has a bumper line-up including PistonFist, Avalanche, Bluntfield, The Silencio, Jollee, Chavez Cartel, East Coast Alien, Mecha Mecha, Dirty Liars, Viper Syndicate, Clam Sandwhich, Engraved and more.To be held over two stages with lots of entertainment variety to keep you interested throughout, Moondoll is fast growing to becoming one of South East Queenslands premiere annual events.HEAVY caught up with Avalanche during the week to find out what joy they will be bringing to Moondoll."We're really keen to be playing Moondoll on June 3rd," vocalist Steven Campbell enthused. "We're keen to get back into Queensland. We haven't been there since late last year so we are super keen to get back and give the fans what they want."This isn't Avalanche's first time playing Moondoll either, with the band having fond memories of previous visits."We've been lucky enough to play a few times up in Brisbane," Steven smiled. "Last year was the biggest for us coming up to Queensland, I think we did two or three different shows. They have always been the wildest shows. Everybody there is just crazy.""We've met some of our best, dedicated fans up there in Queensland," added lead guitarist Veronica Campbell. It's the first show we have ever played where people were lining up outside the door waiting for us.""We even had a couple of fans who travelled 3 or 4 hours to come and see us," Steven finished.In the full interview, Steven and Veronica talk about the importance of all Australian shows like Moondoll that focus on the emerging bands more so than the already established, what we can expect from Avalanche, supporting The Poor, their most recent track Sweet Baby Brown Eyes and how it was received, the possibility of doing more songs from that album which Steven's Father played on, new music, when it will be out and what it will sound like, future touring plans and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
1 Kesä 202310min
Festivals & Shenanigans With LINDSAY MCDOUGALL From FRENZAL RHOMB
Interview by Erin EddyThere aren’t too many bands that are as Australian as Frenzal Rhomb. The tongue-in-cheek humour, the larrikin antics, the accented vocals, and the disorderly, rowdy energy are all traits synonymous with the punk rockers, who have been spreading their infectious high jinks and raucous music for 31 years now.Here at HEAVY, we took advantage of a moment with guitarist Lindsay McDougall while he was on the job at ABC Radio, Illawarra.“I’m speaking to you on the ABC’s dime; That’s right, this is taxpayer funded right now!” Lindsay cheekily told us.The purpose of our chat was to speak about the upcoming Spring Loaded Festival, which Frenzal Rhomb is featured on, as well as Lindsay himself being the MC for the event. But it’s hard to speak with someone like Lindsay, from a band with as much history as Frenzal, and not slide a little off track and reflect on days past, especially if you’re a long-time fan.In the following interview you’ll hear discussion on the 2001 Big Day Out, stealing Killing Heidi’s vodka, their VHS The Travelling Flea Circus and anecdotes about past experiences touring overseas.When we did speak of Spring Loaded, Lindsay expressed that the familiarity of sharing the line up with old friends is a definite joy.“It’s nice playing with a bunch of old pricks that have the same level of cynicism as us,” he jokes, “I do wonder where the high jinks on this tour will come from and from which bands will the nonsense originate from.”“I’m excited to see who in the Shihad camp gets unnecessarily drunk by the end of it!”Given that this festival is stacked with a line up to make any 90’s kid froth, we asked Lindsay whether Frenzal Rhomb’s set was likely to be more geared toward a nostalgic vibe.“Nah, fuck that!” He laughs, “We do a lot of new stuff. We love not relying on nostalgia. We use nostalgia, we’ll pull it out, but we’ve just put a new album out and we’ve loved playing songs from the new album at the last couple of shows that we’ve done. So if you’ve come to see us play just songs from Not So Tough Now, bad luck!”The new album Lindsay speaks of is titled The Cup Of Pestilence. It was released only last month, and Lindsay says the songs are more involved and complex than ever.“We wrote really hard songs to play and to sing. They seem to be only getting more difficult, too. Because we’ve all been playing instruments for long enough, Jason knows he can get away with writing these really hard songs for us to play.”If you’re in the area, make sure you head to Sandstone Point for the Spring Loaded Festival atSandstone Point Hotel this Saturday June 3. Tickets are still on sale and can be purchased via Ticketmaster or Oztix.And if you can’t make it to Spring Loaded, Frenzal Rhomb will be on the road across the country as they continue to tour their latest record The Cup Of Pestilence, so keep an eye out for dates near you.Have a listen to our full interview with Lindsay to get the complete scoop on all of this and more!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
30 Touko 202330min
Better Late Than Never With ANDREAS BENGTSSON From DEVILLE
Interview by Kris PetersAfter being one of the many bands to have their plans thwarted by COVID, Swedish lords of riff Deville finally make their Australian debut when their tour kicks off in Adelaide on June 15.Blending a sublime mixture of rock, stoner and metal influences, Deville have managed to fabricate their own sound in a genre that is often tied down in its own self importance.They head to this side of the world celebrating their 20th anniversary as well as the recent release of their latest album Heavy Lies The Crown.Lead singer Andreas Bengtsson joined HEAVY earlier this week to share his excitement."It's starting to realise it now because it's going to be a lot of traveling," he replied when asked how the band is feeling as the tour draws nearer. "It's special to tour over there in Australia. There's going to be a lot of logistics but hopefully it will be fun. We're gonna catch up with some bands that we were supposed to go with last time - like Astrodeath - and we're going to meet some guys in Melbourne that were supposed to play with us last tour. It's going to be great. It's a new territory for us, so we're excited to do this finally."We ask Andreas if it is daunting at all, traveling to the other side of the world to play in a country you have never been to before."It's a very special feeling," he smiled, "because we've done Europe so many times and we know how it is in the US, but I think it will be... I have friends in bands that have been to Australia before and said it's quite fantastic. We're only doing the big cities so from what I can see in pictures and stuff (laughs), it's a mix of Europe and US cultures but it's also in another climate. It's gonna be real nice."In the full interview, Andreas tells us what to expect from their shows, what they are expecting from Australian crowds, what special anniversary surprises they have in store, some of the band's highlights from the last 20 years, how Deville has changed musically over their career and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
29 Touko 202312min
Living The Easy Life With PAT DAVERN From GRINSPOON
Interview by Kris PetersWhen Grinspoon burst onto the Australian music scene with the sensational debut album Guide To Better Living in the late 1990s the whole rock/punk landscape in this country changed forever.Here was a brash, outspoken, talented as fuck group of individuals who showed no respect for the conventional laws of music and were more than happy to break the rules whenever it suited them - which was often.That album was followed by Easy in 1999 and then New Detention in 2002, both of which were more accessible than the band's debut offering, but still with enough angst and attitude to captivate a youthful generation.Last year saw the 20th anniversary of New Detention so Grinspoon have decided to revisit both of those albums by releasing them for the first time on vinyl on September 8. It is testament to the enduring quality and legacy of both of those albums and what would a release be without a tour to promote it?Never ones to shy away from time on the road, Grinspoon have announced their Easy Detention National Tour which kicks off at the Miami Marketta on October 29.Joining them for the tour will be Private Function and Cupid & The Stupids, both young bands who obviously remind Grinspoon of themselves back when they first started.Guitarist Pat Davern sat down with HEAVY to chat about the tour and the vinyl releases, starting with just how much the band are looking forward to celebrating on the road."Yeah definitely," he smiled. "We did the Spring Loaded tour last year, which was a three year tour - it was 12 dates in between COVID and everything else that happened. As far as club shows go or our own dates it's been a long time. I think the Chemical Heart Tour - which was the end of 2021 I think - so, yeah, it has been quite a long time. Once again we're kind of doing a retrospective of Easy, which was our second album, much loved by fans but not so much by critics, and then New Detention which was obviously our biggest selling record and our crossover into more commercial radio after coming from the Triple J scene of the 90s."The tour is also celebrating the release of both albums on vinyl, which Davern admits was not as simple as you might think."It's amazing that it takes 20 years to get a record out on vinyl," he laughed. "Who would have thought? It's funny. Easy was recorded a bit of an old fashion way with two inch tape, straight from the desk and it actually transpired onto vinyl very well - like it was made for it. We really set that album up to have an A side and a B side and on vinyl sounds amazing. With New Detention, which was the first ever record that we recorded with pro tools, took a bit of work getting there but it's sounding great. Me and Phil had a bit of a listening session in a hotel in Sydney a couple of weeks ago and had a real deep dive into the sound and we're really happy. All the secret tracks turned up - not in the same places as they were. On Easy the secret track was six minutes and sixty seconds after the last track - geniuses we were back then (laughs) - but it comes straight in now. So, yeah, you get a bit of extra stuff on the vinyl as well and obviously the gatefolds are really great. The artwork is the original artwork from New Detention and the Easy one's great. I think there's a giant used ashtray as the centrefold, just to get everyone into that 90s feel (laughs)."In the full interview Pat reveals what the setlist could look like, goes through both albums in more detail, picks his favourite, extra pressure after the success of Guide To Better Living, how tempting it was to rehash that album for the follow up, why Grinspoon didn't go as hard on those two albums as the first, the band's enduring popularity, possible new music and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
28 Touko 202315min
