Raw, Real & Gritty With LUKE GRUNTS From CLEOPATRICK

Failsafe are proof that age has nothing to do with impact. The Sydney trio are only 18, yet they carry themselves with the confidence, humility and purpose of a band far beyond their years (oh yeah and they have a whopping three releases under their belt already!). Formed while still in school, Failsafe began as three friends jamming in a bedroom in Sydney’s Inner West, chasing connection and catharsis rather than polish or hype.Those humble beginnings quickly spilled into local bowlo shows before snowballing into a relentless run of gigs across the city. In just two short years, Failsafe have become familiar faces in their local music scene, earning a loyal following through sweat-soaked, bleeding-heart rock performances that feel urgent and alive. They’re not just playing punk and rock, they’re actively pulling it back to what it was always meant to be: community, expression and somewhat-controlled chaos.Their fiercely DIY ethos defines everything they do. From generator-powered skate park and park pop ups to all-ages gigs, Failsafe prioritise inclusion, even inviting fans to be part of one their music videos. Musically, Theo Fernandez’s fast-footed pulse drives the momentum, Anna Morrow’s groovy bass anchors it, and Liam Elwing’s screeching guitar and raw vocals cut deep.As Anna explains, “Growing up I felt like I could really understand what other people put out, but not really express myself verbally… being able to do that through music is an entirely different skill… it’s being really vulnerable and also incredibly dangerous and exciting.” It’s that intelligence and drive to take hold of goal after goal that sets Failsafe apart from all the garage bands that never get beyond the garage.They may be young, but these guys are mighty. Check them out on spotify: Failsafe or Youtube: failsafesydneyBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

10 Feb 26min

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to survive 30 years in an Australian band without a punch-up, a lawsuit, or at least a few costume changes, Quan Yeomans of Regurgitator is here to tell you—it’s mostly sweat, setlist amnesia, and just the right amount of “naive courage” to dive headfirst into the circle pit of life.Ali Williams catches up with Quan mid-tour, somewhere between a billion-degree beach day and Quan’s Melbourne “hoodie weather.” Regurgitator’s recent shows clock in at a marathon hour and 55 minutes, a feat even Quan admits is “too much for me.” The band briefly flirted with the idea of an intermission—abandoned after realising it just broke the groove. Audiences now get an uninterrupted slab of Gurge, and honestly, no one’s screaming for an encore after that much garage rock. As Quan puts it: “I played everything!”The current tour isn’t just another lap around the sun—it’s a madcap dive into the Regurgitator singles catalogue, dusting off tracks they haven’t played in years (thank you, Google, for those forgotten lyrics). There are over 50 singles, so no, they’re not playing them all (unless you fancy a three-hour endurance test). But the setlist is a living, breathing thing, evolving with every gig—much like the band themselves. Expect some surprises, and don’t get too comfortable: they change it up to avoid “getting bored” and keep the fans guessing.Forget the urban legend about meeting band members Ben Ely and Quan meeting on a Brisbane bus—turns out Ben first rocked up at Quan’s mum’s place to score weed. “He just happened to walk downstairs where I was tinkering with my 4-track,” says Quan, and the rest is history. Brisbane in those days was a tight little scene: cross a few one-way streets and you’d bump into half your future bandmates (or get hopelessly lost, if you’re Ali).Regurgitator’s music has always balanced piss-taking parody with actual substance—something Quan admits is often missed by casual listeners. “I’m amazed how many people don’t listen to the lyrics,” he laughs, despite the fact he obsesses over every word. These days, their songs show up on random playlists, introducing a whole new generation of fans (many thanks to TikTok and Spotify—“even if Spotify’s evil,” Quan quips). The band’s legacy now stretches from ‘90s moshers to 19-year-olds who think The Angels are edgy vintage.Despite three decades of gigging and a few legendary bust-ups (including one that almost ended in a lawsuit—cheers, Martin), Quan says the band feels more like a family than ever. New members like Sarah have slotted in seamlessly, proving sometimes a bit of stability trumps creative friction. That said, Quan reckons the secret to not going stale is “reinventing yourself—take a page from Bowie.” But these days, the wild competitive spark of youth has mellowed into something more sustainable: “Now it’s way easier to tour. It’s easygoing, it’s lovely.”Swerving into songwriting, journalism, and the perils of letting technology do all the heavy lifting. Quan’s not shy about the state of AI writing: “My god, the writing part is so bad. It’s terrible… it just messes it up every time. It’s such a slop.” For Regurgitator, the real art comes from putting in the work, not “pressing buttons.” So, aspiring artists—take note: it’s called a work of art for a reason.As Quan wraps up, he drops the essential plug: “You can catch us playing at a rural town near you, and probably a big city as well, so please come along. We’d love to see your face. It’ll be a good time.” So, whether you’re an OG Gurge tragic or a TikTok kid who thinks Polyester Girl is a deep cut, Regurgitator’s Jukeboxxin’ tour is your chance to see living legends in the flesh.Check out Regurgitator’s upcoming Jukeboxxin’ dates—from the Top end to Tassie and everywhere in between. Expect singalongs, sweat, and possibly a history lesson in Aussie music, all delivered with Regurgitator’s signature sideways grin. Tickets available now—don’t sleep on it.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

5 Feb 26min

Italian metal icons Lacuna Coil are set to return to Australia for their first full headline tour in nearly a decade, and according to bassist Andrea Ferro, the timing couldn’t feel more right.Following a standout appearance at Good Things Festival 2022, the band are eager to reconnect with their dedicated Australian fanbase while showcasing material from their latest record .While Andrea only learned through our interview that their Good Things set was hailed as one of the festival’s best, he says the decision to return was driven by a mix of unfinished business and excitement around new music. “We don’t come there so often because of distance and cost,” he explains, “but we know we have a very solid fan base, so we couldn’t wait to be back” .The tour also marks a rare opportunity for the band to fully immerse themselves in Australia again, something Andrea describes as uniquely special compared to touring Europe or the US.“When we’re there, I really feel I’m somewhere else,” he says, noting the landscapes, cities, and wildlife that make each visit memorable .With new songs primed for the live stage and long-awaited headline shows ahead, Lacuna Coil’s Australian return promises to be a powerful start to the year.Tickets:  https://www.destroyalllines.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

5 Feb 16min

For Thrice drummer Riley Breckenridge, returning to Australia is never just another tour stop, it’s a highlight etched deep into the band’s history. From their earliest visits alongside Hot Water Music and Alkaline Trio to their most recent run in 2023, Australian audiences have consistently left a lasting impression. “The crowd response blew our minds,” Breckenridge recalls, noting that no matter the venue size, the enthusiasm has never faded.This upcoming tour sees Thrice bringing Horizons West to Australian stages for the first time, a record shaped by reconnection both musically and physically. Unlike Horizons East that was written remotely, West was crafted together in the same room, allowing the band to focus on how songs would translate live. The result, Breckenridge says, is some of their strongest live material in years.That sense of evolution also extends to Thrice’s legacy. Revisiting The Artist in the Ambulance has given the songs new life, refined by decades of growth while retaining their emotional urgency. “A lot of it has aged like a fine wine,” he reflects.With a setlist spanning over two decades, Breckenridge promises a cohesive, dynamic journey that honours the past while celebrating where Thrice are now. As always, Australia remains central to that story. Riley even shared that he'd move here if he could and if he does you can thank me for encouraging him to do so, so that his family can witness kookaburra's first hand.Tickets: https://sbmpresents.com/tour/thrice-2026Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

5 Feb 19min

Set to bring their monstrous headline show to Australian shores next month, Michigan metalcore titans We Came As Romans return to Australia in support of their new album All is Beautiful.. Because We're Doomed, joined by very special guests Caskets (UK) and Headwreck. They will also be performing at Life’s A Beach, the first-ever curated summer event by Polaris will take place at the Riviera Beach Club in St Kilda, joined by a stacked array of talent.Stepping into view in 2009 via their debut album To Plant a Seed, We Came As Romans have remained a powerful force of sharp melodies, thick guitars, grooves and unwavering positivity in the face of an uncertain world. Between countless sold out shows, over 250 million streams, seven studio albums and ongoing critical acclaim, We Came As Romans relentlessly forge ahead with a sonic blend that spans metalcore, post-harcore, electronic hues at times and an urgency that captivates in any and every live setting.Traversing tragedy and tenacity along the way, the band returned with gusto in 2025 with the recent release of their seventh studio album All Is Beautiful…Because We're Doomed; the band's second studio album since the tragic passing of their brother Kyle Pavone, and a collection of tracks that wrestles with the highs and lows of humanity.In a live setting, We Came As Romans have spent their storied career touring with some of the giants of the scene, spanning Bring Me The Horizon, I Prevail, The Used, Sleeping With Sirens, Parkway Drive and countless others, with WCAR performing down under most recently in 2023 which marked their first Aussie performances since 2015.HEAVY sat down to chat with frontman Andrew Glass ahead of this months tour to find out more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

1 Feb 20min

Melbourne’s high energy rockers, XCalibre release their brand new album, X, today! Born from grit, fire, and raw emotion, XCalibre are a powerhouse rock trio from Melbourne, Australia, blending hard-hitting riffs with cinematic energy and heartfelt storytelling.XCalibre channel life’s chaos, resilience, and redemption into every note, crafting songs that hit as hard emotionally as they do sonically. Their music fuses modern hard rock intensity with classic influences, creating a sound that’s both anthemic and deeply personal.To celebrate the release of X, the band have released their most touching yet enormous song to date. Lights and Sound. With a feeling evoking the epic melodies of Lanterns by Birds of Tokyo, Lights and Sound is, as frontman Dan Marazita explains, "inspired by a big chapter from earlier in life and the need for closure. The song explores what it feels like to stand at the edge of change. Looking back on a meaningful connection, recognising that people grow in different directions and stepping forward without bitterness.It’s reflective, emotional and grounded in respect. Sonically, it strips back the big riffs but holds onto Xcalibre’s emotional core and melody. Even without the heaviness, it still feels massive.”HEAVY's Angela Croudace spoke with Marazita to find out more.X also features the unstoppable House Of Pain and Gravity (Through It All), which features DJ Lethal (Limp Bizkit) and Marcos Curiel (P.O.D.), and was recorded at Matt Sorum’s studio in Los Angeles. X is out now via XMusic: https://lnk.to/HHI9cxBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

30 Jan 17min

COPPERHEAD are a three-piece heavy rock/metal band from North-West Tasmania, delivering a powerful no-nonsense sound that punches well beyond their years.Fronted by Charlie Wicks (15) on guitar and vocals, alongside Nate Starkey (16) on bass and Charlie Williams (19) on drums, Copperhead already show the chemistry and focus of a band built for bigger stages. Despite their young age, their sound is confident, aggressive, and unapologetically heavy and wearing their influences like a badge of honour, unashamedly drawing from the power and grit of bands such as Metallica, Nirvana, Alice in Chains, and even flashes of early Silverchair.After travelling to Melbourne to record with producer Tyson Fish (Mammal, Vance Joy), the band went on to dominate at the Rock Challenge in Tasmania, the state’s elite school band competition, taking out both their heat and the state finals in the high school division.Their debut single Mortal Souls delivered hard-hitting riffs and relentless energy and quickly racking up thousands of streams across Spotify, establishing Copperhead as one of Tasmania’s most exciting emerging heavy acts.Now gearing up for the release of their new single Public Indecency, Copperhead continue to push an old-school rock/metal sound with a modern edge. Early listeners have already described the track as something that “could fit perfectly on Metallica’s Black Album.”Both songs have been co-written with Australian punk band Captives and Public Indecency is shaping up to be a defining moment, not just for the band, but for the next generation of Tasmanian heavy music.HEAVY caught up for a chat with all three band members ahead of Friday's release and start by ask how they are feeling just a couple of days out."We're extremely excited," drummer Charlie Williams exclaimed. "We've had this song in the files for months now and we've just been so eager to it out to the world. And now it's finally happening and it's going to be out next week."Public Indecency follows Copperhead's debut single Mortal Souls, and we ask the boys what their thought process was when deciding which song to lead with."We released Mortal Souls first because we thought it was just a good way to really show people who we are," Williams replied. "But Public Indecency is our favorite out of the two songs. We kind of wanted to hold off on releasing the better song because people are going to be surprised on how different it is musically. Mortal Souls is just a thrash it out, fucking just go hard all the time, and Public Indecency is also that in a way, but it's a lot more like… I don't even know how to describe it (laughs)."In the full interview, Copperhead spoke more about Public Indecency and how it represents them as a band. They talked about the title and subject matter, emphasing the need to have fun with your music whenever possible.The band spoke about their youth and love for old school rock and metal, recording in Melbourne, co-writing both songs with Captives, album and tour plans and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

28 Jan 14min

Words and Interview by Kyra JadeThis is NOT a drill. Karnivool has gifted us a new album - In Verses - after a cool 13 years carefully curating each song. Spoiler alert, it’s every bit as magical as you are imaging!  Just like Karnivool I’m from Perth myself and have always carried this sense of pride and connection to the band through their music. Sometimes it feels like you are isolated away from the rest of the world in W.A so to see a band from there successfully take on the rest of Australia and then the world is nothing short of amazing.  Now, nothing really gets me more excited than a message from my boss Kris at HEAVY MAG that says ‘You’re a big Karnivool fan, right?’. Whatever it is, yes count me in. Before I knew it, I was locked in for an interview on my lunch break from my work ute the following Monday. The makings of a true interviewer I've since been told… thus starting the first of my His-Vis interview series.Monday rolls around and it's time to dig in and see what’s been going on in the Karnivool camp! What was the moment they decided it was ‘time’ to put it all together and release the music that’s been burning a hole in their pocket for so long? I'll take the chance to fire away all the questions that have been burning a hole in my pockets for years too! Lucky for me the man with all the answers, frontman Ian Kenny, just entered my Zoom and I couldn't be more excited to hear what he has to say.We took a walk down memory lane and reflected on releasing their 2001 debut EP Persona. Mostly I was curious to know if they would, or have, played it live cover-to-cover and Ian's reaction was pretty much 'Shut it down' 😂 - deeming it an 'interesting conversation' at most'. Does this mean Persona has become the ugly step kid put in the corner? Fade off the EP was my gateway drug to Karnivool and as far as debuts go, they smashed onto the scene with songs that were humbly created in their parent's back shed without the young lads realising that they have just started to build the foundations on which they stand on today.Karnivool's lyrics are deep and I wanted to take the opportunity to peak into the creative process and what it looks like building a song. Has the formula changed from their last album? Ian's answer was a great insight into harnessing his creativity to navigate his wonderful & intellectually complex mind. He confessed 'I find writing challenging because the music is so obscure I get lost and have to pull myself out again‘. I couldn’t help but think to myself, ‘Well, that’s fitting, because when I listen to Karnivool I find myself in an almost trans like state - lost in the music too.'Although sometimes the lyrics that came through didn't exactly make sense to Ian at the time, as the years went by he began to resonate and connect with their intended meanings. Music is such a powerful tool and for musicians, it's pretty much being their diary. It's a beautiful journey of discovery that I can only imagine would feel like a gift from the 'past you' patiently waiting to reveal it's true meaning when the time is right.‘Trying to find pure flow state where you would unearth things from your subconscious and some of that shits important because you don’t know what it means most the time and then after the fact it really comes to how you are living or what are you doing, and you think... how does that line up now?’ This interview was so much fun. I can’t thank Ian Kenny enough for having a good laugh with me and being open to sharing his personal experiences and stories from over the years. You always hope that your hero's are everything you want them to be in 'real life' and I feel so lucky on this occasion to be greeted by a friendly face that seamlessly gave way to a conversation I wish could have gone for hours. Hope you enjoy the full interview. Until next time, legends!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

28 Jan 16min