Ready To Rock Australia With JESS MARGERA From CKY

CKY are the flag bearers for big, raw, authentic, earth-shaking rock liberated from useless pretence. They burned it all down, with a raucous, anarchic rock sound soaked in the skate-punk culture that birthed them; and a hard-partying lifestyle onstage and off that left decimated relationships and reputations in its wake.
Boasting a collection of killer rock anthems like 99 Quite Bitter Beings, Flesh Into Gear, Escape From Hellview and Familiar Realm, CKY's music is a huge part of the infamous Jackass TV series as well as just about every skate and surf compilation of the era and covered by the likes of modern superstars Polyphia, leaving a highly influential imprint on the current punk/alternate scene.
Following the infamous incident that forced the cancellation of their participation in the co-headline tour with Alien Ant Farm, CKY are finally making their way to Australia in January for three very special shows. HEAVY sat down with drummer Jess Margera to find out what to expect.
We can't help but point out it has been well over a decade since CKY were last out here. "I can't believe it's been 14 years, that's crazy." Jess laughed. We follow by asking what has changed with the band since the last tour.
"We have a new bass player, Mike Leon," he replied, "and man, he's a shredder. He worked with the Cavalera's, and he did some stuff with that new band IIgor. It's really cool. He makes my job easy (laughs)."
Talk turns to the early days of CKY and where they fit into the music scene.
"Same as now, we don't really fit in anywhere," Jess laughed, "which is a blessing and a curse. We've been doing this a long time, and a lot of bands can't really say that. So, it's funny when we play the festivals, because they don't know where to put us. We've played the metal stage, the punk stage, the rock stage… It's funny in that respect, but I think having our own sound has definitely afforded us to have a career. I don't take that for granted at all."
In the full interview, Jess talks more about touring, emphasizing the challenges of maintaining their high-energy live performances as the band ages, particularly in hot weather, while also addressing the complexities of curating a set list that appeals to a diverse fan base by analyzing streaming data.
Jess shared insights into CKY's unconventional rise to fame, highlighting the influence of skate culture and media appearances, including stunts for Jackass that sometimes led to injuries and tour cancellations. The conversation also touched on the band's eclectic musical style, their instinctual creative process, and the decision to release new music as singles in response to evolving listener habits, alongside reflections on memorable touring experiences, particularly in Japan.
TOUR DATES
Friday, Jan 23: Max Watts, Melbourne
Saturday, Jan 24: Crowbar, Sydney
Sunday, Jan 25: Crowbar, Brisbane


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