Celebrating 25 Years With DAVE TALON From ROLLERBALL
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
Fun & Banter Backstage At THE WORLD IS A VAMPIRE FESTIVAL With REDHOOK
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
Throwing Your Weight Around Backstage At THE WORLD IS A VAMPIRE FESTIVAL With BATTLESNAKE
Interview by Shannon-Lee Sloane and Kris PetersOne of the best things about music festivals is the opportunity to experience bands for the first time, who, for different reasons, you might otherwise not heard of.Ever.And One World Entertainment and the crew behind The World Is A Vampire Festival have done just that by bringing Sydney rock outfit Battlesnake out of the shadows and in front of a whole new audience.Where these guys have been hiding and where they come from is anybody's guess going by the visual aspect to their performance, but according to their press release in the last 12 months they have gone from playing dingy dive bars to sharing the stage with The Smashing Pumpkins and Jane's Addiction.Plus wedged in there was an invitation to open for a little known band that goes by the name of KISS...Due to the above factors Battlesnake are the "hype" band of TWIAV tour and after seeing them play at the opening show at Eaton's Hill Hotel I have to say the hype is justified.And then some.If you have heard these guys before you already know, but if, like HEAVY you are only fresh on the wagon take a listen to the entertaining chat Kris Peters and Shannon-Lee Sloane had with the guys to find out everything you need to know - and some things you likely don't want to.Battlesnake drop their self titled album on May 12. Pre orders are available now distrokid.com/hyperfollow/battlesnake/battlesnakeBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
22 Apr 202319min
Postcards And Holidays With EMMY MACK From REDHOOK
Interview by Kris PetersSydney masters of musical mayhem RedHook are finally bearing the fruits of their five year extended cycle with the release today of their debut album Postcard From A Living Hell.Since forming in 2017 RedHook have very much been a band who have shunned convention and expectation, refusing to look for short cuts on the long road to musical recognition.Instead they have focussed their time and efforts into the one thing they have control over - the music - along the way earning the ears and respect of a diverse range of supporters who have each felt like a part of the musical journey RedHook has steadfastly chosen.With a relentless touring schedule and led by the enigmatic and precocious talent that is Emmy Mack, RedHook are a band who connects with their growing fan base on more than a plutonic level.Through a succession of well received singles and a refreshingly honest yet still respectful approach to their craft RedHook have found themselves playing with and alongside some of the biggest bands in history at Download in England and Rock AM Ring as well as Good Things and now The World Is A Vampire Festival on home soil.Throughout it all the quartet have remained grounded and approachable, and as Emmy says during our recent chat, this album is as much about the people in RedHook's corner as it is about the musicians who created it."Honestly, it's hard to put into words," she measured when asked how she is feeling now the album is finally out for public consumption."I'm so overwhelmed. This past 24 hours alone has just been insane. Getting so much love and so much positivity... I'm feeling very grateful."After taking their time in putting together a body of work to truly represent the band and their music, we ask Emmy why now is the right time to unleash hell."We're late bloomers," she laughed. "I think it was just time. We put out the debut EP during COVID, so I dunno... For me, this is more for the fans. A lot of people have been wanting us to do this. I kind of don't like... it hurts me to put out an album, only because I feel sad for all the songs that we don't get to release as singles that don't get that little time in the sun. This is for our fans and for people who have been listening to us and supporting us for the past couple of years that we've been a band and I just hope that it lives up to their expectations."In the full interview, Emmy talks about the importance of building an audience rather than rushing music out for the sake of releasing something, her main focus musically going into the album, the mixture of styles and genres and how that reflects RedHook as a band, which of the musical styles she prefers to perform live, the album title and how it came into being, why RedHook have Stand Atlantic to thank for that, their current run of shows as part of The World Is A Vampire tour, hanging out with Billy Corgan, their upcoming headlining national album tour, packing up and shipping off to the UK straight after and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
21 Apr 202321min
Rocking THE PADDO With NOZ From INFECTIOUS ROGUES
Interview by Kris PetersBrisbane rock is alive and well and in good hands if the quality of bands assembling for Infectious Rogues EP launch at The Paddo in Brisbane is anything to go by.Normally the home of The Comedy Club and many refreshing pre and post State Of Origin beers, The Paddo opens its doors this Sunday, April 23 to a stack of local hard rock and metal outfits who have gleefully claimed the downstairs party dungeon as property of metal - for this Sunday at least.Hard rock outfit Infectious Rogues dropped their EP The Alpha Display last week, and this weekend celebrate its arrival with a special launch party which will also play host to legendary Brisbane metal outfit Dreamkillers, rapidly rising rock machine PistonFist and local party outfit Palladone, with Roach Toasters fresh on the chopping block and primed for action!HEAVY caught up with Infectious Rogues lead guitarist Noz on the eve of the launch to find out what to expect and share the joy at having live music back at The Paddo."It's awesome," he nodded. "It's been a long time since they had anything there but everyone remembers the good times so hopefully the good vibes will return. It's perfect for what we're doing."With The Alpha Display being released last week we ask Noz how the early reception has been."Pretty positive so far," he smiled. "Obviously, it's early days yet but it's been well received. We consider ourselves a hard rock vibe but we do dig into the realm of traditional metal. Heavy metal is such a broad category, isn't it? I'd just like to get it back to being one label but we play to what our influences are and what we feel. We just wanted to make something that had a rocking feel to it."In the full interview, Noz talks us through the EP more, gives us two songs as an introduction to Infectious Rogues, gives a bit of history on the band, discusses the other bands on the line-up and why they are there, what to expect from their show, new music and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
20 Apr 202313min
Upping The Ante With NORMAL BEHAVIOUR
Interview by Kris PetersNormal Behaviour have defied convention from the outset, forming as a band while all members were enrolled at film school. Using that love of film and cinema the band quickly branched into songwriting, blending the rebellious spirit of rock, the dark allure of goth and the raw energy of grunge and funk into a sonic landscape that is as unique as it is captivating.Hot on the heels of their new single She Likes The 1975, Normal Behaviour have been hand selected to open next Wednesday's Adelaide leg of The World Is A Vampire Festival, featuring The Smashing Pumpkins, Jane's Addiction, RedHook, Amyl & The Sniffers and Battlesnake.Not bad for a band still in their formative years.HEAVY caught up with the band earlier this week to find out how they are going to handle the occasion."We're pretty pumped," Nic enthused. "it's a crazy show to be part of.""And an enormous lineup of excellent bands," Lachy added, "and all of them legendary as well." We ask what something like this means to Normal Behaviour as a band."It's the opportunity of a lifetime," Cameron replied.In the full interview we ask the boys how they approach a show like this, why they think they deserve to be opening the festival, who they are most looking forward to sharing the stage with, the large number of Australian bands on the lineup and how good that is for Australian music, which one would volunteer to jump in the ring, the names of their wrestler, signature move and knockout move using their own song titles, new song She Likes The 1975, future music and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
20 Apr 20239min
Smashing It Up On The Big Stage With XCALIBRE
Interview by Kris PetersNot many bands get to celebrate the release of their EP by sharing the stage with two of the biggest bands in the world, but that's exactly what awaits Melbourne metal outfit XCalibre this weekend when they open The World Is A Vampire Festival in front of their home crowd and headlined by The Smashing Pumpkins and Jane's Addiction.With EP1 seeing the light of day just last week, XCalibre are already riding the crest of a musical wave and were more than happy to sit down with HEAVY to discuss this Saturday's performance."We're pretty stoked to be on the bill with these dudes," Dan smiled. "We've grown up with them and had their posters on our wall so we're stoked to be a part of it.""They're iconic bands," added Vinnie. "I know we're just opening up, but shit, it's not being on that bill (laughs)."In the full interview the boys explain what something like this means to them as a band, which of the two headliners they are bigger fans of, the Australian bands on the bill and getting to play with them, having so many local bands on an international festival, use their song titles to create a wrestler and his moves, the response to EP1, what it contains musically, what fans can expect from their set this weekend and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
20 Apr 20237min
Sonic Destruction With ALEX HILL From MELANCOLIA
Interview by Kris PetersSeldom does a band come along and deliver a debut album as good as Melancolia have done with HissThroughRottenTeeth.It is an album that captures elements of a plethora of metal genres, with the label winning out being blackened deathcore.But this is so much more.Equal parts sonic density coupled with an overwhelming blanket of heaviness, Melancolia have crafted something that elevates their music beyond the sonic realm and into one which conveys mood, passion and horror.The general sense of foreboding that enshrouds you after listening to HissThroughRottenTeeth is either a masterstroke on the part of the band or the work of something altogether more sinister, but whatever the source the outcome is still the same.Complete musical annihilation.Traversing the different stages of a deity's miserable existence, HissThroughRottenTeeth paints an aural landscape throughout, setting a mood and unnerving calm that almost dares you to turn away.Vocalist and songwriter Alex Hill sat down with HEAVY to unravel the darkness."Essentially I guess you would call it some kind of mutation of the deathcore genre," Hill explained of Melancolia's sound. "Musically it's fairly influenced by early Whitechapel, particularly the A New Era Of Corruption era - that's gotta be a top 10 album for me. We were going for that melodic... I don't wanna say blackened - there's definitely some influence of that in there - but it's definitely more like if melodic death metal was deathcore instead. Think more Black Dahlia Murder with breakdowns and some spooky synth sections."When it comes to HissThroughRottenTeeth Hill is much more definitive."I always write in concepts," he offered. "I never write random songs and the idea for me is to always write a story start to finish. And then it basically incorporates those thoughts and feelings and events that have happened in my life within that. Essentially what we've got is the story of a deity that's sort of been cast from the heavenly realm or whatever the afterlife is - or another universe - and he has been cast as punishment into the human realm and has been birthed as a human while still retaining all of its information and knowledge of being a God. Basically, it's forced to live as this all powerful being with no use of its power, stuck in this mortal vessel and has to go through life as a human while knowing all this stuff and being stripped of its power."In the full interview, Alex goes deeper into the storyline behind the album, the musical side of things, what message can be taken out of the narrative, the cover image and what it signifies, daring to experiment on their debut album, how much thought and planning went into each stage of the album process, using visuals to enhance their music, a typical Melancolia live show and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
19 Apr 202318min
