Perseverance & Resilience With JOHN STEEL From THE ANIMALS

Interview by Kris PetersIn a musical world being increasingly defined by labels and genres it is refreshing to come across a band who seems to neither care, nor notice where they fit into the tightening art that is called music.South African rock outfit Ruff Majik are one of those bands.With a sound that can be defined only so far as having its roots in rock, the musical output and disparity produced by the band is as reckless as it is carefree and natural. Sure, they have the bottom end sludge coupled with distorted riffs and fuzzy guitars, but if you think that makes them easy to define then you are easily fooled.By combining these sounds with a sonic landscape that draws inspiration from B Grade Drive In Movies from the annals of time and a sonic palate that would quench even the hardened thirst, Ruff Majik sprinkle enough of their own DNA throughout their music that it quickly becomes difficult to label.Add in some quirky moments of humour that elevate what could potentially be dark and foreboding lyrics and layer it with an undeniable love for what they do and suddenly you have a form of musical expression that far outstrips the conventional normality that society loves to place on progress.With their latest album Elektrik Ram being unleashed on April 28, vocalist/guitarist Johni Holiday spent some time on the casting couch with HEAVY to convey the simple complexities of the bands music."I'm pretty excited," he smiled when asked how he was feeling about the albums imminent release. "There was a little gap there where I wasn't sure how things were gonna go down, just because it's a different kind of album, but so far we've had some reviews come in and they've all been really, really positive so it's given me some renewed vigour. I'm ready for it now."We ask Holiday to run us through the album from a musical perspective."Musically and lyrically it's a very schizophrenic album," he measured. "It's all over the place, jumping in and out of different genre styles. It's always very rooted in rock and roll - it's got to be - but we've taken it from every possible angle, I guess. But that was kind of the point. It had to be like that for the story to be able to flow and then we had them all collected the biggest mission was to just make them fit. Just to have it go through congruently and I think we managed it."In the full interview, Johni talks more about the theme of the album, it's light hearted ambiance despite the serious subject matter, the opening track Hilbillly Fight Song and how it sets up the rest of the album, the meaning behind the songs She's Still A Goth, Cement Brain and A Song About Drugs With A Clever Title, creating a sonic landscape with your music, future plans and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

27 Apr 202317min

Interview by Kris PetersGold Coast rock outfit The Silencio have long been held in high regard amongst the local music community.Their passion and enthusiasm for their craft is infectious, which, coupled with a highly professional attitude and outlook has seen the band recently anointed as a "local emerging act to watch" by Gold Coast's Blank Magazine.That effort was finally rewarded recently when The Silencio beat off stiff competition to with the Rebel FM Band Battle to open for The Smashing Pumpkins and Jane's Addiction at the final show of The World Is A Vampire Festival this Sunday, April 30, at Broadwater Parklands on the Gold Coast.It is fitting that The Silencio have been awarded the opportunity after being judged by a panel of their peers, with one of the only things ever holding the band back being a lack of opportunity in South East Queensland.To celebrate, The Silencio are also releasing the ninth track from their upcoming sophomore album Foreign Frequencies, a rocking number called Taciturn (Over) Talkative which will make up part of the set list for this Sunday's show.Vocalist/guitarist Jan Nicholas Blom joined HEAVY earlier today to discuss what is a busy period for the band, starting with the new single."It's actually one of the songs I wrote towards the back end of the previous album cycle and nearly made it onto that record," he began, "but I hadn't quite fleshed it out. Originally the key line at the beginning of the main riff was actually played on the guitar and I tried to jazz it up and change it up a bit. The title came from a good friend of mine, Scott Mitchell, one of his close friends passed away due to suicide and Scott wrote an article about that whole circumstance and he used the phrase "to be less taciturn and more talkative" and it stuck with me. It's such a great message to try and pass on, to make sure we don't hold things in and we do talk to each other."In the full interview, Nic talks more about the music side of Taciturn (Over) Talkative, the film clip that has each of the band members Fathers play a role, the upcoming album and why The Silencio chose to release it all as singles, special plans for the finished product, winning the Band Battle to play at The World Is A Vampire, what to expect from their show, the addition of so many Australian bands on an international bill and what it means for Australian music and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

27 Apr 202316min

Interview by Kris PetersMore often than not when a group of musicians get together to form a new band - often termed Supergroup (which still makes me cringe), those musos have either played together before or mixed in the same circles and come across each other in a musical capacity.Not so the three well known musicians that make up death/thrash outfit Dieth.Coming together out of musical connection rather than friendship, David Ellefson (bass, Megadeth), Guilherme Miranda (guitarist/vocalist, ex Entombed A.D.) and drummer Michał Łysejko (ex-Decapitated) recently announced their debut full length album To Hell And Back, which will be out on June 2.Heavier than anything Ellefson has ever done in the past, Dieth also provides a creative outlet for three musicians who have each been major contributors over the past few decades to start fresh with only the sweet smell of creativity in the air.Dieth have already given fans a taste of what to expect with the singles In The Hall Of Hanging Serpents, To Hell And Back and Don't Get Mad...Get Even, each song further exploring the extremities with which Dieth plan to take their music.Ellefson sat down with HEAVY to talk more about the upcoming album."Great!" he exclaimed when asked how he is feeling about the release. "Especially talking to people like yourself and getting some feedback from people around the world. Obviously we had a great journey making the album over the last year. It's nice to know the record company is excited, it's nice to know the fans are excited. It's a process. The album coming out, it's a great anticipation and I'm glad we're doing it."We press him on what to expect musically from To Hell And Back."I think the title says alot, right" he laughed. "It talks about a journey, ironically a journey the three of us were separately on individually. I just find it funny how the three of us were brought together to unify our journey - strength in numbers. It's more fun as a musician to be in a band playing with your friends and I think in this case it's more fun for three strangers to become friends and become brothers to tell a unified story together. I think lyrically that's that part of it. Musically, a theme I keep hearing is that people are excited to hear me do something so heavy, so brutal. It's a step or two beyond probably what I've done in my past, so that's cool. And I like that, because ... I did The Lucid, which was a bit within range but maybe skewed a little more over here, and then I've got Dieth which is way over here. I've got Kings Of Thrash, Ellefson solo and I've got other records that I've done in between. I'm a versatile guy (laughs). I like to play a lot of different music, so to me Dieth represents a really cool cornerstone of a new sound for me."In the full interview, David talks more about what to expect from the album, the singles released and how they represent the rest of the music, the acoustic passage that opens the album and why it is there, the track Walk With Me Forever which is Ellefson's first ever vocal performance, how him singing came about, how Dieth represents a new beginning for all involved, what elements of each former bands the three brought to Dieth, the upcoming Australian Kings Of Thrash Tour with Jeff Young and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

26 Apr 202326min

Interview by Kris PetersTim 'Ripper' Owens name and voice is legendary in the metal scene.Not only has he sung for Judas Priest and KK's Priest among others, but he has also forged a successful solo career and travelled around the world performing songs from bands that have played a large part in his career as a musician.One of those was Metal Gods, a band that paid tribute to Judas Priest, Black Sabbath and Dio in which Owens performed with ex AC/DC and Dio drummer Simon Wright. Metal Gods toured Australia for the first time late last year to rave reviews, leaving everyone who went to one of the shows in awe at the abundance of talent Owens possesses.Now, just six months later, Owens returns Down Under for two shows only - at the Crowbar in Sydney on May 11 and at The Bendigo Hotel in Melbourne on May 12.This time he will team up with members from Frankie's World Famous House Band, Harlott and Bad Moon Born to perform an even greater variety of songs from bands that have shaped metal music in general.He is treating these two shows as a tester of sorts towards booking a national tour next year, with the onus on Sydney and Melbourne proving there is a demand for more of his solo and own material.Owens joined HEAVY this morning from Brazil to tell us more. We start by asking if he has even unpacked after his last visit here not so long ago."I've unpacked and packed and unpacked and packed," he laughed. "It's just been non-stop. I'm doing this now from South America in Brazil. I was in England working on the new videos for KK's Priest, I flew home from England after doing a week there and was home one day then I flew here and then I'm going home for one day and flying there. This was last minute I decided to come there to Australia and we're gonna test the waters and do a couple of shows - it's like a test shows - and see if we can book a full tour in the future."Last time he was out here Owens was touring with Simon Wright, but this time around he is coming out by himself."It's just me playing my songs," he affirmed. "I called Joel to see if he could get some guys together and he was all for it. He got his brother and some friends. It's gonna be a blast. The setlist is great, we're doing some songs I haven't done in a while like Diamonds And Rust and we're doing something from my new solo EP, so it's a nice set list."In the full interview Ripper talks more about what songs to expect, the response to his latest album, finding the time to write new material, how these two shows will be different from what Australian audiences saw last time, assembling a band to play the songs and learning them in a short space of time, how he approaches singing songs from iconic bands, future touring plans and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

26 Apr 202312min

Interview by Erin EddyWhen you talk about someone being a virtuoso on an instrument the word guitar often springs directly to mind. But, of course, there are plenty more instruments one can be prolific to the point of being a virtuoso, but one which wouldn't immediately spring to mind would be the bass guitar.And not for any reason other than you would have to be pretty damn good to make the bass sing and take on a life of its own.Which is exactly what Melbourne-based producer and bass virtuoso Toby Peterson-Stewart has made a reality.Firstly as part of acclaimed Australian act The Omnific, and now as a solo artist with his latest single 'D.H.D".Peterson-Stewarts musical tale is one of triumph and talent, with Erin Eddy sitting down with him for a one on one to talk about his new material.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

26 Apr 202329min

Interview by Kris PetersWhile most of us take music on face value and, although maybe appreciating the lyrical content and life experiences that are invested in the lyrics, the vast majority of people do not - or cannot - fathom the entire depth, meaning and personal anguish behind them.For over three decades Dez Fafara has been writing songs and pouring his heart and soul into each sentence, and even word.It is a labour of love that has seen his band Devildriver embrace a loyal and growing legion of fans and one which has seen them traverse the world playing everything from festivals to their own headlining shows.In and around the time of COVID Fafara was forced to take a more in depth look into his inner self for a multitude of reasons, the main of which being the fact he almost lost his life to the virus.It was a sombre period for Fafara and his family, and one which forced him to take stock of his past, present and future and make the decision to purge his demons the only way he knew how.Through music.The result was Dealing With Demons Vol 1 which was released in 2020 it was an honest, introspective and confronting look at some of the things that Fafara has lived with and faced thoughout his entire career, tackled in a way only someone who had stared down his own demise could approach it.That album was universally hailed as a masterpiece and left the music world eagerly anticipating the second instalment which will be released on May 12 via Napalm Records.A heavier slab of metal than its predecessor, Dealing With Demons Vol II is another scathing indictment on the mechanism that Fafara has fought to subdue and control throughout his career, and as such is a deeply personal and cathartic album to himself.The great man sat down with HEAVY to talk about the concluding chapter of his self help manifesto."Feeling good, man," he smiled when asked how he was feeling about the release. "It's been sitting in the can for a while. We recorded both of these at the same time, they were meant to come out back to back in 2020 and 2021, but of course things got in the way. That being said it's incredible to be releasing this thing. You can probably attest to the fact with me, and probably agree with me that when a band tackles a double record, usually the second record is B sides and leftovers. I mean, usually - and I could name several that you would probably agree with me - we didn't want that to happen so we overwrote for this thing. Not only that but we kept them short - 36 and 38 minutes respectively - they're meant to be listened back to back, an hour and ten or so in full and it's great to get this piece of art out and actually having people hear it. This is the first time we've had feedback outside of the band. We stayed very secretive about this record. And even internally didn't pass it around to our agents and things like this. We didn't want it to get out."In the full interview, Dez talks more about the new album and what to expect, how it is heavier to Vol 1, the singles released and how they represent the album, what specific demons he dealt with over the two albums, what he learnt about himself and his music in doing so, how purging those demons will impact his future writing, what's next for Devildriver, touring plans and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

26 Apr 202323min

Interview by Kris PetersGold Coast rock outfit Rollerball are about as old school as you could still get in the Australian music scene.Despite forming in 1998 the band has only released four full length albums - the last of which was Submarine in 2009 - yet still have a fanatically loyal fanbase that have been screaming for the band to play more shows.Throughout their tenure, Rollerball have steadfastly stuck to their own beliefs and expectations, never bowing down to the music industry and their whims, preferring instead to be in control of their own musical destiny and the wonderful places that could take them.Although never officially breaking up, Rollerball have undergone lengthy periods of inactivity, the most recent being since their reunion tour in 2019 that proved they could still rock out with the best of them.Now, to celebrate 25 years as a band, Rollerball will take to the road for four more shows, starting at Mo's Desert Clubhouse on April 28 before hitting Sydney the following day, Melbourne on May 6 and Brisbane on May 13.Guitarist Dave Talon joined HEAVY to tell us more."We've been around for years, but we're not as active as we used to be," he began. "We still get out on special occasions and rock and we're finally doing a 25 anniversary little run of shows - there's only four shows, we're keeping it simple - and we just want to get with the fans again and spend a bit of time with them and celebrate rock and roll. We would have liked to have done more shows but we just had a window to work with, and I guess we're a little out of touch. Years ago you could book gigs in Australia six weeks beforehand but it looks like you've gone the European direction now - I don't know if that's after the COVID break, or it was like that before - but things are booked miles ahead so we're happy to have what we have."In the full interview Dave talks about what to expect from the shows, surviving as a band on your own terms, the changing face of music and where Rollerball fit in, the early days of the band and where they fit in, playing stoner rock before it was popular, where their sound originated from, writing new material as opposed to enjoying your existing catalogue, the final physical copies of their albums and how to get your hands on them and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

26 Apr 202318min

Interview by Kris PetersWhat can we say about Sydney music legends RedHook that we haven't already said over the last couple of weeks?The quintet are this weekend finishing up their run of shows with The Smashing Puumpkins and Jane's Addiction as part of The World Is A Vampire Festival before turning around and heading straight back out on the road for an extensive tour to promote their sensational new album Postcard From A Living Hell, which came out only last week.One of the main things HEAVY loves about RedHook is their down to Earth nature and love of a good time, so when we were offered the chance to speak with the whole band fresh off the stage at the first show of the Vampire Tour at Eaton's Hill in Brisbane we threw the script book out the window, safe in the knowledge a backstage interview with Emmy Mack (vocals), Craig Wilkinson (lead guitar, programming), Alex Powys (drums) and Ned Jankovic (bass).Were we right?You be the judge...We start by pointing out the band seem to be the current darlings of the Australian festival circuit, having appeared on pretty much everything going in the last 12 months."We're all over it like a rash at the moment," Emmy laughed, "everyone's sick of us.""The only way to get rid of us is with a wooden stake through the heart," added ?From there the band all chime in with different quips about garlic and vampire hunting and... you get the drift.What follows is a highly entertaining and humorous chat about their role at The World Is A Vampire Festival, their upcoming headlining tour of Australia, their overseas jaunt, comparing Australian festivals to ones overseas and what we can do to improve over here, public hygiene, the new album, the band's wrestling name, signature move and finishing move using their song titles only and much more.Listen on if you dare.The World Is A Vampire has three shows left, April 27 in Melbourne, April 29 in Newcastle and April 30 on the Gold Coast. Tickets still available from www.oneworldentertainment.com.auBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

26 Apr 202317min