Ahead Of The Chase With JONO HAWKEY And JACK VAN VILET From BLOOM

Interview by Kris PetersIn the little over a decade since Neck Deep formed in the Barlow brothers’ spare room in Wrexham, Wales, a lot has changed. From the scrappy, naively hopeful beginnings that define the starting of so many teenage bands, the pop-punks have gone on to be one of British Rock music’s most successful global exports in recent memory: top 5 records in both the US and UK, global touring, viral hits and over a billion streams just some of the fruits of ten years spent mastering their craft.For the new self-titled record, the band, completed by Ben’s older brother and bassist Seb, guitarists Matt West and Sam Bowden and drummer Matt Powles, took ‘doing their own thing’ – and only their own thing – to the next level. Eschewing a keen list of collaborators and producers eager to work with one of rock’s hottest properties and choosing, instead, to write and record in their own warehouse space, mere miles from where they grew up. Old school, just like it used to be.This April Australian fans get to taste the excitement, when Neck Deep return for The Dumbstruck Dumbf!*k Tour with special guests Albany New York pop punk act State Champs.HEAVY caught up with Neck Deep vocalist Ben Barlow for an entertaining chat ahead of the tour. It's been a couple of years since their last visit, so we start off by asking what has changed with Neck Deep since then."Not much, I don't think," he measured. "But we're very settled into this record, very settled into playing these songs live now. We're approaching the - or I think we're in the 10-year anniversary year of our seminal breakout record, Life's Not Out To Get You. And so, yeah, doing little bits and bobs with that and just planning ahead for the future still, you know, thinking forward even to the next record. Getting the ball moving with that."Then Barlow was struck with a sudden realization he may have forgotten something important."Oh, actually, what's changed?" he asked me in return. "Bloody hell, I got married this year, which is very nice (laughs)!"In the full interview, we discussed Neck Deep's upcoming tour in Australia, set to begin on April 21, while reflecting on their experiences since their last visit. Ben shared insights into the celebration of the 10-year anniversary of their breakout album Life's Not Out To Get You. He highlighted the band's positive dynamics and their excitement for new music, acknowledging the need to promote their self-titled album while also focusing on future projects. The conversation touched on their writing process, with Ben noting that they prefer to create music at home but are open to inspiration while on the road.We also delved into the song Dumbstruck Dumbfuck, which Ben described as a humorous take on modern masculinity and relationships. They emphasized the high-energy yet sentimental nature of Neck Deep's live performances, expressing enthusiasm about touring with State Champs due to their close friendship and compatible musical styles, and more.Full interview www.youtube.com/@HEAVYmagazineBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

29 Mars 17min

Interview by Kris PetersSince releasing their acclaimed debut album Tū (2018), New Zealand metal warriors Alien Weaponry have been lauded for their kinetic presence and sound, as well as their vital blend of culturally profound lyricism in both English and te reo Māori, the indigenous language of New Zealand.Still in their teens when that album took the world by storm and with the sudden burden of expectation thrust upon their shoulders, Alien Weaponry bunkered down, surrounding themselves with family and away from the clutches of industry people potentially looking to exploit both their talent and youth. It proved a masterstroke, with the young band following up with Tangaroa (2021) and earned them the title of 'the future of heavy metal' by Metal Hammer and led to tours around the world with the likes of Guns N' Roses, Gojira, Slayer and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.But, they say, a band's third album is the most defining one of their career and that moment has come with the impending release of Te Rā (March 28).Described as their heaviest, most powerful and mature offering to date, Alien Weaponry feel like they have returned with a point to prove. HEAVY caught up with the newest member of the band, bass player Tūranga Morgan-Edmonds, to find out more."I think we were definitely nervous going into the first single," he began when asked how the band are feeling about the album finally seeing the light of day. "I think the single probably had a lot more nerves surrounding it than the album itself. Because, you know, it's a new stage in the band's evolution and sound. And it's the first time I've been a part of the writing and recording process. And particularly because the first single was a song that I had written myself (laughs).So I was sort of like, Oh, God, what if people don't like it? That's my creative input that people don't like. But then of course the song came out and the response has been awesome. Now as we slowly trickle into the album release tomorrow there's been two more singles come out and people seem to love those as well."Talk turns to the music side of Te Rā and what sound they were trying to achieve."We took a step back," he measured. "Obviously, the first album was such a force onto the scene and left a strong impression on a lot of people when that came out in 2018. And the second album didn't quite land where they had wanted to. And when we went to the third album, we were sort of like, OK, what is it that we want to achieve? Are we trying to create a new sound entirely? Are we trying to create something familiar? And so what we decided on was trying to actually find a balance between the highlights of both albums, even the second one. So the second one, what people liked, of course, was the sort of move towards a more technical approach, so maybe more complication in the riffs and the writing structures. And then also a lot of people quite liked the much more traditional sounding Māori vocals, not just singing in another language, but singing in the style of that language, if that makes sense."In the full interview, Turanga further introduced the band's upcoming third album, Te Ra, highlighting the blend of genres and the incorporation of Te Reo Māori to maintain cultural authenticity. He shared his excitement about collaborating with Randy Blythe from Lamb of God, who contributed vocals to a track after their connection on Instagram, emphasizing the influence of Lamb of God on their music. Tu reflected on the band's growth from newcomers to respected figures in the metal scene, acknowledging the challenges of touring post-pandemic.He expressed optimism for a more extensive touring schedule following the album's release, with management actively working on overseas plans, went back to when he joined Alien Weaponry and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

27 Mars 14min

Interview by Kris PetersEnglish rock outfit Slung’s upcoming debut album is a collaborative combustion of its members’ experiences, circumstances and supreme musicianship. Their sonic universe - comprising the power of guitarist Ali Johnson’s incendiary riffs, vocalist Katie Oldham’s enviable dynamic and tonal range, bassist Vlad Matveikov’s undulating, yet grounding bass lines and drummer Ravi Martin’s expert rhythmic punctuation - is a veritable musical supernova.With influences covering most spectrums of the musical world - from Deftones and Baroness to Wednesday and MJ Lenderman to Queens of the Stone Age and even a sprinkling of Chappell Roan and Fleetwood Mac - Slung refuse to pigeon hole their music and as such have created a sound that is fresh, vibrant, and unmistakably their own.With a debut duo of singles at the tail end of 2024, Slung’s sounds piqued interest among discerning ears across the industry and internet. But true to form, the band elected to hit the road in order to gain experience and connect with the people before releasing even one song. It was a brave but ultimately rewarding take on old school ethos that has seen Slung build a sizeable fan base that will only increase after the release of their first album In Ways on May 2.HEAVY spoke with Vlad and Katie to find out more."We're really stoked that these songs we've been cooking up for ages are sneaking out," Vlad enthused. "And it's amazing that people from all over the world are enjoying them. It kind of makes this otherwise horrendously expensive and absolutely ludicrous hobby that is making music - because you can't make a living out of it - a bit more justifiable (laughs)."We ask how they are feeling with the release date getting closer every day."I think it's kind of a mystery what's going to happen in May," Katie answered honestly, "because the way that we've formed this band, or the way this band has become what it is now, it feels so backwards a lot of the time. It feels like we recorded an album before we ever played live once and before or I ever sung these songs in front of a single other person, we recorded them. So when we hear them back now, after having gigged quite a lot the last year, they sound so different to how we're used to playing them.But it's almost like a relic that you discover in the attic, and you're like, 'wow, what's this?' It's like a hidden gem. So there is this sense of nervousness, but mostly just excitement, because as I say, we're just so thrilled to have the chance to make this thing and release it. That alone is good enough for us. But what would be really nice is if there was a bunch of people who received it so warmly. Yeah, so nervous, but really excited."In the full interview, the discussion centred on Slung's debut album In Ways. Vlad and Katie shared insights into their unconventional journey of recording the album before performing live, which has generated intrigue among listeners. Both artists expressed a mix of excitement and nervousness about the album's reception, highlighting the positive global traction their singles have received. They emphasized their gratitude for the opportunity to share their music, despite the challenges faced in the music industry.Katie elaborated on the distinct sounds of their singles, such as Laughter, Collider, and Thinking About It, which showcase different facets of the band's identity. She noted that while some tracks maintain a sonic theme, others, particularly those influenced by country music, may surprise listeners. Vlad described the album as a journey with varied styles, referring to it as "bipolar" in its musical diversity. Both artists expressed confidence in the audience's ability to appreciate the album's cohesion, despite its eclectic influences and serious themes, which range from bullfighting to the sex worker industry.The creative process behind the album was also discussed, with Katie sharing her unique approach of reinterpreting lyrics from other songwriters to craft her narratives. She highlighted the emotional depth of the song Nothing Left, written during a challenging time in her life. Vlad recounted his initial meeting with guitarist Ali in Australia, which laid the foundation for their band and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

26 Mars 26min

Interview by Kris PetersThe last 12 months has seen punk rock outfit the Wolsten Butchers share the stage with some iconic punk rock acts like The Decline, and international punk stalwarts Guttermouth and Belvedere, but none of those experiences could have prepared them for the unexpected and massive success of the single Live Dead Die Fast which catapulted the name Wolsten Butchers into corners of the music world never before imagined.But now the fun really starts.Global success brings with it increased expectation and heightened scrutiny, so often the next track released can either make or break a band long term. So what do the Wolsten Butchers do?Release another absolute banger with Play These Games, further exploring the hard rock element of the band's musical psyche and keeping their foot flat to the floor in all relevant departments.HEAVY caught up with singer/guitarist Carl Jackson to find out about the new track and how the boys handled their sudden rise to prominence."It's the first thing I think I've done in my life that potentially I could say is highly anticipated," Jackson laughed about the impending release of the new single. "It's a blessing and a curse when you have a song that does really well, you have to… well I suppose you don't have to follow that up, but you want to. You want the same response as the last one, potentially even more. So I'm excited. I love the song. I love the clip. I'm really excited about what it is, but also just really nervous about what people are going to think."In the full interview, the discussion focused on the Wolston Butchers' upcoming single release, Play These Games, with Carl expressing both excitement and anxiety about following up their previous hit, Live Dead Die Fast. He described the new track as heavier, complemented by a bright music video concept that contrasts its intensity. He also reflected on the band's evolving sound and their openness to creating radio-friendly pop-punk music.The conversation also highlighted the band's energetic live performances, upcoming shows including a gig with Bodyjar, and participation in the We Belong Festival with Frenzal Rhomb.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

25 Mars 16min

Interview by Kris PetersBusting out of the musical walls of Brisbane in late 2022, five childhood friends united to create an infectious cocktail of catchy, heavy riffs, hard-hitting lyrics and purposeful melodies. Familiar, yet unique, the HISS sound is as diverse as the appearance and influences of the individual band members themselves. Their frenetic hook-laden energy - think Alice In Chains meets Helmet with a dash of Sex Pistols and Slayer combined - will guarantee crossover appeal throughout the rock and metal community.The grungy garage-metal punks recently dropped the first track, Trace, from their upcoming debut album Enoz Latem and are preparing to launch it this Saturday, March 29 at Greaser Bar in Brisbane alongside Tawny Hawk and Dedway.Trace also features on a 7” vinyl release in hot pink (limited to 150 copies) that the band has pressed via their own imprint LFT Records to coincide with the album launch and other promotional activities.HEAVY caught up with Blinx Bonaccorso (vocals) and Shinbone Starr (guitar) to find out more."It's been great so far," Starr enthused when asked about the early reception for Trace. "That one goes over well live, and it seems to be a good crossover track. It's got a great, heavy groove underpinning it and also some good melodies in there. Playing that one live is normally where we see a lot of people come from the outside of the room, gravitating, like 'what's going on here'."In the full interview, the discussion focused on the technical setup and promotional plans for Hiss's debut album, Enoz Latem and their first single, Trace. The band expressed excitement about their music's crossover appeal and their collaborative creative process, emphasizing their blend of grunge and punk influences.We also discussed plans for the album launch at Greaser Bar this Saturday (March 29), including exclusive merchandise, free entry, and a themed cocktail plus more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

25 Mars 11min

Interview by Angela CroudaceIn a recent interview, Chas Levi, the drummer of Justice For The Damned, shared his excitement about returning to the stage after a challenging period, as well as the band's highly anticipated new music and upcoming Australian tour. The band's journey has been anything but easy, but with their latest single, The Current, they have come out stronger and more determined than ever.Chas spoke candidly about the surreal feeling of being back with the band after battling through personal struggles. "It's just a total blur," he admits. "It's happened so fast, and I can barely believe it, but I'm stoked." The band's resilience is evident, and with new music released and tours lined up, Chas and his bandmates are more energized than ever. He also mentioned that getting back into the groove of performing has been an incredibly rewarding experience. "The shows so far have been insane," he says. "They feel so much better now, maybe it's just because I'm back, but it’s like nothing else."Looking ahead, Justice For The Damned is gearing up for their headline Australian tour this March, covering major cities as well as more regional areas. "It’s going to be wild, especially the regional tour," Chas reveals. "Some of these places are so off the map for us, but we want to bring the energy to every corner of Australia." For Chas, this tour is especially significant because it marks his return to the stage in his home country after a long absence.As for the music, the band's upcoming album promises to be an exciting blend of new sounds, with Chas describing the new material as more groovy and spacious compared to previous releases. The latest single, The Current, has already been well received by fans, and the band is eager to perform it live. Chas says the track has resonated with him on a personal level, reflecting both his struggles and triumphs. "It’s about endurance and resilience, things we’ve all gone through, especially in the last few years."Looking back at the band's journey, Chas is grateful for the opportunity to connect with fans across the world. He’s especially excited about the upcoming regional shows, which he sees as a way of returning to the roots of their fan base. "We’re just excited to be bringing our music to places we’ve never been before," he says. "It’s the most fun you can have, playing to passionate people who might not always get the big shows coming through."Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

25 Mars 29min

Interview by Kris PetersPhil Cambpell was, and always will be, primarily known for being one-third of the legendary metal outfit Motorhead. For more than 30 years Campbell stood side by side on the biggest stages in the world alongside his brother Lemmy, recording 16 albums and having a major role in Motorhead classics like Orgasmatron, Killed by Death, Going to Brazil, Eat the Rich, Stone Deaf in the USA, Rock 'n' Roll and more.While the music world at large mourned Lemmy's passing, those closest to him were left with a gaping chasm in their lives; a musical and personal void which would be impossible to replace. But Campbell was lucky in the respect he had his family to fall back on and not just emotionally.Within one year of Lemmy's passing, Campbell's three boys - Todd, Tyla and Dane - had rallied around their father, uniting to form their own band aptly named Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons.Whether the band was started to fill the void or as a form of comfort or for any other reason in the Metal Gods playbook, they are still going strong almost ten years later and are about to make their maiden voyage as a band to Australia in September for a run of shows that promises to be one of the must-see live shows of 2025.Not only will The Bastard Sons be playing material from their three albums, but Campbell has also promised an equal portion of Motorhead tunes not seen or heard in this country since before 2015. But to make sure that wasn't just a vicious rumour, HEAVY tracked Phil down to make sure things were on track.Amongst the general chit-chat we asked Phil if he is comfortable playing Motorhead songs without Lemmy there with him, in particularly how it felt the first few times he performed after Lemmy left us."It's never going to be Motorhead, obviously, without Lem," he sighed, "but we give it a good shot. It'll be the only chance for especially younger Australians to have heard some of the Motorhead stuff with a band member playing them. We get a lot of youngsters come to our shows anyway if we're playing Motörhead stuff or our own stuff. We get older Motörhead fans bringing their young children to the shows. Basically they're just turning them on to good live music because there's so much crap about these days with autotuned voices and all that. We're the real deal, which is the way it should be."We nod in agreement before asking if having his boys by his side made things easier."I spent a lot of the boy's formative years away from them when I was so busy with Motörhead," he replied. "So it's great to be able to give something back, you know, and spend time with them and still go around the world in another kick-ass rock and roll band. You know, they deserve it. They're great players. The band is as tight as hell that we have now. So they deserve it. They deserve to tread the boards. It's a lot of fun, yeah. I enjoy it."In the full interview, Phil spoke more about what we can expect from the show and coming up with a list of Motorhead songs to appease the masses. He highlighted the difficulties in choosing songs from the vast Motörhead repertoire and expressed excitement about performing with his sons. He also underscored the significance of creativity in the songwriting for Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons, encouraging experimentation without rigid constraints.Phil spoke about his love of rock n roll and how forming The Bastards came at the perfect time for him, introduced us to the new (ish) singer Joel Peters and explained how he fits in with plans moving forward, hinted at new music and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

24 Mars 11min

Interview by Kris PetersAfter earning themselves an ARIA nomination with 2022's album Heroine, Melbourne metal titans Thornhill have pulled out all stops to ensure its successor further explores the sonic parameters in which their music falls.Bodies finds Thornhill elevating to spectacular new heights, offering an unbridled explosion of raw vulnerability fused with some of the band's heaviest moments to date. While Heroine revelled in lush textures and bold, curated aesthetics, Bodies finds Thornhill opening the floodgates to spontaneity. Balancing intensity with boundless creative freedom and ingenuity, album number three for Thornhill is not only a definitive snapshot of a band in full flight just shy of a decade into their staggering career; it's also a celebration of authenticity and gripping dynamism from one of Australia's most engaging heavy acts.HEAVY caught up with vocalist Jacob Charlton and guitarist Ethan McCann to talk more."I think the first thing that we wanted to sit down to after Heroine was we wanted a lot more energy and a lot more pace in the music," Ethan explained. "We found that when we took Heroine to our live show it felt like it was dragging at times. Because we started playing heavy music when we were teenagers we kind of missed that energy, and seing that reaction in real time."We ask how they actually achieved that, to which Ethan replied, "I think just a lot more focus on rhythm, and drumbeat. Jacob was listening to a lot more pop and R&B music around this time, so I think there was a lot more pace with his vocal patterns, as opposed to long, stretched out chords and crooning vocals from the last album."In the full interview we speak to Jacob and Ethan more about the musicality on Bodies, the pressures of following an ARIA nominated album, how it contains the heaviest moments in Thornhill's musical history, the singles released and how they represent the album as a whole, how Bodies represents Thornhill in 2025, this weekends Album Listening shows and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

24 Mars 16min