Interview with Summerset Avenue

Summerset Avenue have made a name for themselves in the Australian pop punk scene. They had a good 3 years of playing shows all around Australia, travelling to record in Boston (USA) and playing the SXSW Festival  in Austin, Texas. They recently announced they would be be calling it a day after playing 2 final shows in Melbourne. We recently got the chance to talk to their bassist Steve Cannatelli about the band's final release, the future of the group, possible reunions and future projects.


So I'm just listening to your latest and final release 'Count Me In', it seems to sound like trademark Summerset Avenue, which never fails wow me. I was wondering a few things about this song:

What made you guys decide to choose this song for your final release? 

Well we already had it recorded and ready to go for a release early next year but since we have decided to call it a day we thought we may as well release it as our final release, we had worked really hard on this track and we wanted to let our fans hear it

How does it compare to the first songs you wrote as band back in 2010? 

Count Me In, in my opinion is a more mature song and demonstrates that we as a band have found our sound. It's a sound that we had been working towards for quite sometime now, our own brand of Pop/Rock so to speak.

Do you think the guys whoformed Summerset Avenue would be proud of this song and other recent material you have written?

Probably not but we didn't write those songs for them, we wrote them for us and for our fans.

Will this definitely be the final release from Summerset Avenue, or is there any secret recordings or unreleased material?

This is it, there is nothing else. 

After only seeing you guys live for the first time recently at EV's Youth Centre at their Rocktober show, I had a few questions about you guys and your live show.

- Being a relative small stage at EV's there wasn't many people getting into the performance. I was wondering how much crowd participation/response do you normally get at shows? 

It varies to be honest, some shows people are bouncing off the walls, at others they barely move... It's usually the same set played in the same way with the same energy, sometimes people get it and respond, other times they don't.

Best mosh pit/live show you have ever had? Why was it so awesome? 

Koo Wee Rup which is a regional town in Melbourne's South Eastern are always a lot of fun, they really get into it and have a lot of fun with us! The Enigma Bar in Adelaide when we played with D At Sea there was a great show too and also our show with Tonight Alive mid last year, to me they are the stand outs. There have probably been a ton more but right now I can't remember them.

Most embarrassing moment on stage?

Probably when Leeanne told to audience to come sit on her box (laughs). she was actually referring to a box she was sitting on-stage during an acoustic set, but i think most people thought otherwise and found it quite funny. I think she was quite embarrassed (laughs).

I noticed you did a few covers along with your awesome high energy originals. Some covers where very unexpected/left field to cover at a rock show, but they fantastically turned into great rock anthems. 

Who/what made you guys decide to do these types of covers and why do them the way you do?

Well we wanted to keep things Pop and we didn't want to just cover band songs cause how boring is that so we thought why not take cheesy over produced pop songs and make them rock tracks, not only did the crowd enjoy these songs but it was a challenge for us to re-invent them.

Most left field/out there song you guys have ever covered? 

M.I.A Paper Planes.

I heard you guys also went to the USA to record and play a few shows?

We played SXSW Festival in March 2011 which was an amazing experience and also recorded our debut EP there too in July 2010 which was surreal. To be a band for 4 months and then end up recording your first release in another country, that's the stuff you dream about as a kid.

How does the US music scene differ from the Australian scene that we are all born and bred on?

It's a whole other ball game over there, so many bands and so many of a high standard. You really have to work hard for your audience over there.

Biggest difference between your American shows and your Australian shows? Apart from the obvious geographic location?

People knew us here, no one knew us there (laughs).

After a quick visit to your Facebook page, I can see you have over a staggering 6,200 fans, a number which many local bands can only dream of.

- Was there a specific time when your fan base suddenly boomed or has it just been consistently rising from the bands inception in 2010?

Its been a consistent rise since 2010, there were times where we got more attention on us than other times like when Joel Madden retweeted our video of our cover of Good Charlotte's Like It's Her Birthday or when we topped the Triple J Unearthed Charts or when our cover of Kesha's Take It Off went viral on Youtube, but for the most part its been a slow, consistent growth which we were happy with.

Did the trips to the USA have a big effect on your fan base? Did you find that your fans became more global after taking the band overseas?

Not really, I mean we made new fans and friends but to be honest Youtube got us more oversea's fans than visiting the country itself.

Got any advice for local bands who are aspiring to gain that kind of fan base?

Social Media and gig everywhere and anywhere you can, whether its to 1000 people or 10 people, when you're starting out its all relevant.

What's the largest gathering of fans together you guys have seen at once?

That i'm not sure of to be honest but it would be nice if our last show was the biggest gathering of fans ever.

So the announcement of you guys calling it quits came as quite a shock to many of your fans. I myself was surprised as I had only really just got into your music. I know many of your fans are grateful for the amazing music and high energy live show you have given over your 3 years as a band.

What made you guys call it quits? 

We decided to call the quits for many reasons but the one that was most dominant in the decision was that as a whole we weren't having fun anymore, a lot of things felt forced and thats just not what we're about.

What caused you guys to stop enjoying playing in Summerset Avenue? 

There were a lot of reasons and out of respect to the rest of the band I won't get into them but it was a collective of things that had been going on for months, not just one or two things that came about overnight.

Was it a sudden decision or did you guys know for a while that you would be calling it quits soon?

I think in the back of our minds we all had known for quite sometime that it was just a matter of time before it came to an end.

Would you guys ever consider or be open to any kind of reunion in the future? Even for one off shows?

That I couldn't say for sure, maybe, maybe not, would depend on a lot of different factors, too hard to say right now.

At your final shows on the 21st and 29th of December, what will be the bands feelings? Will you guys be sad? Relieved? Can expect any tears from anyone in the group? 

I have no idea, we'll have to see when we walk off stage. I think most of us are sad that it had to end, I know I am and I will miss it a lot.

So finally, I know many of your 6,000 plus fans would love to know, what's next for all of the members of Summerset Avenue? Even if your not playing as a group anymore what are the plans for you four talented individuals future? Will any of you guys be starting a new band or pursuing a solo career at all? 

That I actually can't tell you as I have not spoken to any of the members in regards to their future musical plans but i'm sure most of us will continue with music, what style or in what way I don't know.

Also I would like to give you a chance to say anything to your fans? Any message to send out to them before your final shows?

Thank you all so much, it's because of you that we were able to take this band as far as we did and we really can't thank you all enough for that, you made our dreams come true.

Interview with Selby MC

A few months ago I spoke to a kid from my High School, his name is Robbie McKenzie and performs under the stage name Selby MC. Since conducting this interview he's gone on to win rap battles, Battle of the Bands in Diamond Creek much more.

Ready to go now?
Yeah mate.

Tell me a bit about yourself
Not much to know really.
I'm just an underground hip hop artist from Warrandyte doing what I love.

What is your main inspiration?
Sorry I didn't understand that, ohhh (laughs) I got you.
I obviously look up to the greatest emcees out of Australia eg. Hilltop, Bliss N Eso, Drapht ect.
but lately I've been discovering more local artists such as Dylan Joel and Eloji who I look up to.

What made you actually get up and start rapping in the first place?
The amount of times I've had this question.
I used to always sing along with songs and get all the lyrics out that I've memorized  Some mates told me i should start my own thing and rap my own lyrics, i agreed and wrote a song, it took me 1 night to write and about 6 months till i uploaded itbeing self concious

Well you must have shed all the self consciousness, I heard you won 3rd place at your school talent show.
Yeah it looks like that doesn't it, and yes I did place third and am quietly proud of myself (laughs)

What did the judges have to say about your performance?
Something about good stage presence, and stuff

You originally went under the name Biro MC, why the change?
(laughs again) I really just didn't like it to be honest
copped a fair bit of stick for it as-well.

Yeah, I think some people may have been surprised by the fact that you rapped
It was a silly name yes

How did you come up with the name Selby?

Don't know, it just came to me. Turns out to be a place in England.

What are your plans for the future?
Done my Mixtape now and won a few battles already think its about time i stayed quiet for a bit
But live shows if i can get some definitely.

I asked another rapper by the name of DeeYeM this question. Would you ever consider performing with a live band? As in guitar, bass, drums
Well, I've had ideas for all that stuff and i enjoyed collaborating with the boys over at Danitchy; who are and acoustic band and yeah it sounds like a good idea.

Have you ever been inspired by rap rock bands like Rage Against the Machine or the Red Hot Chili Peppers?
Yes definitely.

Rage Against the Machine have a political take on their lyrics, what has inspired you in writing your songs? Anything similar to bands like that?
Well the foo fighters have always insired me, seeing there songs and the way they go about things
love the sound of all there songs.

Rhe way they sort of have a humor to the way they go about their music, and in their music videos?
Yeah thats it, the way there so good but they treat it like its still there first year just having a laugh.

Yeah, I know what you mean.
But, as far as inspiration for the actual lyrics goes, who are your main influences?
That would have to be Bliss N Eso. just needing to hear the next bar they sing , the way they have so much wordplay and everything makes sense, its great.

What sort of topics do you like to rap about?
Well one of my favorite lines by Horrorshow "I used to write sad cause its easy,
then I like happy cause it free'd me"
and thats true writing happy shit is difficult but the best in my opinion and also like writing alot of punchlines and wordplay, I dunno that's just me.

Positive or self affirming stuff about knowing who you are?
Yeah

Anything to ad, might wrap it up
Not really mate, like I said theres not much about me.

Review: Daywalker by The Lost League

Daywalker is the debut release by Melbourne hardcore outfit The Lost League. The band features Ray Comley on lead vox, Jimmy Clarke on rhythmic guitar, Benn Xeno on leading/clean vox, Alec Smith on the 4 string and Ben McConnel hitting those drums. Yeah, you're already interested to hear it, aren't you? Keep reading to get a taste of what it could be like.

With I Thought Hurricane Season Was Over, the EP/demo opens like the calm before a storm. Soft synth echoes in the background,you're given a false sense of security, before a wall djent smacks you right in the face. Thundering bass, grinding guitars,and small vocal sample lead into the 2nd track.

With the opening of Facing Facts gang vocal screams the song title right at your face. The riff in to the song seems fairly straight forward at first, but then speeds up halfway for a faster paced jam. It has a bit of a Parkway Drive sound to it which a lot of fans of metalcore/hardcore will find satisfying .

Jamiah opens with a clean intro which heads straight into a fast punky sort of jam, it's clear the band are avid fans of hardcore heavyweights Amity Affliction. This one is sure get a few circle pits going. A solo with a few technical runs will leave guitar players satisfied as the song abruptly pulls to a stop.

The final title track opens with a breakdown, hit the pedal to metal and kicking into full gear. Ray and Jordan Smith of Nosferatu's Rest trade lines before the track leads into a groovy half time section. The song jumps into another breakdown, before yes, throw yet another breakdown right in your face. The mosh pit would be going off by now, that's one way to describe it.

A notable exclusion was the band's first ever track: Relentless. We caught up with Alec Smith to talk about it:
"Yeah sure, we left Relentless off the EP because that was the first song we ever recorded and felt we had progressed too much to put it with the new songs."

There you have it, check out their EP/Demo to decide what you think for yourself.

A solid effort for this group who is just starting out and making a name for themselves.

Rating: 7.5/10

Interview with The Lost League

It's 11pm and I'm talking to Benn Xeno (guitar, vocals) and Jimmy Clarke (guitar) from up and coming Melbourne metalcore group The Lost League. Later in the conversation we were also joined Ben McConnell (drums/percussion) and Alec Smith (bass). At the time of this interview they had not released their debut EP/demo yet, it has now been finished being record and is titled "Daywalker" you can check it out on their Facebook page.

Are you guys ready?

Xeno: We're all sweet.

What the heck, let's do it.
I'll start with the usual question to an unsigned band. How did it all start?

Jimmy: Ray and I kinda had a band going on with some friends, but after a few practises we realised we weren't doing anything. So, seeing as we were most committed we thought we would try and start something new (laughs). My girlfriend goes to Ben (McConnel)'s school, so she told me about him and how he was a crazy drummer, and Ray knew Alec through friends. We ended up just creating a group inbox with those to guys and this other dude, Alec and Ben were keen on the idea. So that was that, then Ray met Benn Xeno at Warrandyte river, when he overheard Ray talking about starting a band and needing a second guitarist (laughs).

Anyone else have anything to add?

Xeno: Nah, Jimmy pretty much covered that (laughs)

What was it like leading up to your first show, what were the initial practices like, did you have any material recorded beforehand?

Xeno: It wasn't really one of those fairy tail stories, it all kinda just fell together.

Jimmy: We were recording relentless the weekend after our first gig.

Xeno: We recorded a starting demo just to get our songs worked out and established. Leading up to our first gig I am happy with how we conducted ourselves! I pride myself on being prepared before anything we do, so we all made sure we had everything worked out. Yeah, the songs have changed since our first gig, but at the time we were all comfortable with what we had and where we were with being tight and together.
Our practices were always conducted well, we got in and did what we had to do. Because we live so far away from each other we don't get much time together, so we make sure practices were never wasted.

Seeing as Warrandyte Battle of the Bands was your first show, was there any pressure on the band, seeing as you guys are bit younger than some of the other bands that played.

Xeno: We had a lot of support from our mates, that being that Warrandyte is basically our hometown and a lot of our mates were there. Jimmy will add something here too !

Jimmy: Yep, Wazza D was our first show. I remember being at Ben's house a few hours before, just getting in a few hours of practice. During one of the songs he forgot one of the drum parts, made me fair nervous (laughs). After that it was followed by me forgetting one of my parts on the same song at the actual show (laughs). Most of the bands at the show were around the same ages as us, a couple older, so there was no real pressure about that. I was more nervous about being one of the only heavy bands at the show. But 50% of the people there were our closest mates, and I honestly think our first show couldn't have gone any better!

What was the journey like between playing your very first show and then opening up for House VS Hurricane?

Xeno: We had a lot of practice, we made sure we practiced every weekend for a good 4-5 months
As I said previously we like to be prepared, so once we found out we scored the House show, we did everything we could to further refine our set. We knew the expectations that had to be filled, and at the end of the day that's all it comes down to putting the hard hours in. House is still to date my favourite show, we made sure that we were prepared. I know we need to put so many more hours in to achieve where we want to be, but what we have achieved so far is all based on how much practice we have put in


So your motto is that hard work can get you anywhere if you put your mind to it?

Jimmy: I think bands don't do it enough these days, making a Facebook page with cool logos doesn't mean you're a band, you need to give it everything you have. We've worked so hard to be where we are now, and its only the beginning,

Hard work is a key point some musicians miss out on. That's the problem with TV talent shows like the X Factor and Australian Idol. 

Jimmy: That is truth right there, I think a lot of people really wouldn't understand behind the scenes in being a band

People think they can get on the show and if they win they will have success, without learning how to reach that point by working their way up.

Jimmy: Yeah, I mean for local bands like us to maintain our gear, playing gigs, touring and recording, its a hell of a lot. You need to be dedicated or there's no point in doing what your doing.

 I mean AC/DC even said it 40 odd years ago, it's a long way to the top if you wanna rock n'roll.

Jimmy: Yeah.

How has recording your EP/demo gone. When are you looking to release it. Is there any shows planned to promote it?

Jimmy: We went back to Parallel to record the demo, its always so much fun working with Stevie and Aaron, there amazing at what they do. If everything goes to plan, it will be out next week! No confirmed date. And no shows as of the moment.

when playing the show House, While She Sleeps, Heights and Breaking Tradition, did you get to know any of the other band members. What was the experience like?

Jimmy: We've been buds with Breaking Tradition for awhile now, there sick dudes. But as far as the touring bands, I was in a way let down, I guess some of the guys who I personally looked up to weren't what I thought they were like. That was just my opinion of it anyway

Xeno: We respect that bands like Northlane and While She Sleeps acknowledged us and gave us a shout out on stage. They were all lovely guys, they were also pretty tired and worn out so we respect that also (laughs) Touring non-stop would take it out of you !

I guess it would be hard for bigger bands to get to know the supporting band. 

Jimmy: Adrian is a real sweetie (no homo)

Who do you credit as far as influences and inspiration for your music go?

Jimmy: I guess we get influence of the other local bands around us, and just seeing them play this crazy kind of music and loving it.

So mainly local acts then? Any influence from the bigger acts like Parkway Drive etc?

Xeno: I'm self taught on guitar, and the only reason i know how to play guitar is because I made my fingers bleed every night trying to learn parkway drive songs haha, so parkway is my main influence !

Jimmy: Yeah pretty much, there cool dudes. I think every Australian band would have some sort of influence from Parkway! But Xeno is a huge Parkway fan, there has been song ideas from him that are nameless and we just refer to them as "The Parkway Song" because the riffs he writes are so alike (laughs)

Any bands outside the hardcore/metalcore scene that people wouldn't expect to have an influence on you?

Xeno: Me personally, I am influenced by bands like Bloc Party and Circa Survive and the way I write some of my melodies and harmonies are certainly influenced by those bands (laughs)

I'd like to welcome Alec (bass) to the conversation. Hey, could you tell us a bit about the plans for the band in the future, your involvement and the songwriting process? 


Alec: Well, the plans for the future for me is just to keep expanding my skills and playing shows. In regards to the band i just want to keep working and playing shows to watch it grow.
The band itself is unique in a way because we all have our different personalities and music preferences, we all love hardcore but we all have different favourite bands and certain aspects that we love about the music.
I got involved through Facebook actually, the vocalist was asking who played bass and I decided to join!
The song writing process is fairly straightforward, one of our guitarists will produce a sweet riff or song and then the rest of the band places their input until it eventually becomes a song !

I heard you guys got through to the next round at the Espy Battle of the Bands, what was that experience like?

Xeno: Getting through to the next round of the Espy has probably been one of our greatest achievements, solely because of how prestigious the Espy is. We played along side amazing bands and we made some good friends.
We were all so excited to play the gig! It means the world to us that the espy are keen to have us back for the semi final!

That's awesome guys.
Ben, let's talk more about your experience as the drummer in this band.

Ben: This band has been an amazing experience for me, not just music wise. I've met some of the best people ever and I have learnt so much. I have improved a lot with my drumming, far exceeding the expectations I had with these guys. At first I received a Facebook message from some of the band saying they wanted to start something and i was interested, it was really random at the time but i had been in many bands before this that didn't do anything and weren't committed. So it started from there and just progressed heaps, I was really excited and still am for what's to come in the future!

Any funny stories from practice or gigs?

Xeno: uhhm. The time we were playing at a mates party and a florescent light fell on my head! (laughs).
When Alec was walking around the sunburn showing, with his singlet on backwards and he didn't even realise (laughs)! When I played the last breakdown in a pit and I accidentally whacked someone in the head with the head of my guitar.

The last one there made my night, thanks guys.

Xeno: Was epic (laughs)

Ben: When Alec brought a bloody George Foreman to the studio and made a grilled cheese, and we all went to KFC (laughs all round)

Very nice, (laughs)
Do you guys ever do anything else like band movie nights to catch up when not practicing?

Xeno: It's hard for us all to get together, because I live so far away from most of the band, but we arent really band mates, we are all really good friends who play in a band together, so we always hang out and chill

This is good stuff guys. Anything more to add before I go?

Xeno: Yeah I'm happy with what we have.

We'll try to catch up with your singer Ray in the future, until then have a good one. Best of luck in the future.

Xeno: Thanks.

Download The Lost League's debut EP/demo at http://fb.com/thelostleague

Interview with DeeYeM

• 
  
  So far in the few interviews we have done we've managed to cover the heavier to the more melodic rock side of things. For our next interview we've taken a full turn and had the chance to catch up with a young up and coming rapper by the name of Damian, known by his stage name Deeyem.
  
  Okay, should we start now?
  

  
  

  DeeYeM: Yeah man, go for it.

  
  

  Why music, did you choose it, did it choose you?

  
  

  DeeYeM: I'm not sure really, around 2008 I really started getting into music in general. Not sure how it happened, but I just happened to have some Eminem on my iPod so that's pretty much where I started getting into rap music.

  
  

  What was the first song you started singing along and to, and thought to yourself: I can do this, or was it more of a gradual progression?

  
  

  DeeYeM: It was mainly the songs from Eminem's album "The Eminem Show" where i really wanted to start getting into it. I tried to start writing in year 8 but wasn't keen or thought I wasn't really good enough to try recording.

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  Besides Eminem, who were your main influences early on, and how has that changed over time?

  
  

  DeeYeM: Okay well it all started with him, I then started getting into rappers like Yelawolf and Jay-Z. A rapper from Canada named D-Pryde was probably one of my biggest influences to start rapping, being someone who didn't "look the part" I thought I could relate! Right now my biggest influences would still be D-pryde, Macklemore, Yelawolf, J.Cole, and of course Eminem who is still a huge influence to me!

  
  

  Do you draw any inspiration from the more mainstream artists such as 50 Cent, Lil Wayne, Tupac etc..

  
  

  DeeYeM: Well the thing with me is I like to think I'm a realistic person, so i usually find it really hard to listen to anything that is 'gangster rap' because as they might be real to those people. I really can't relate growing up in the melbourne suburbs.. I really do love a lot of 'lil Wayne's music in how creative he can get with the way he manipulates words and the use of his metaphors. Overall I do listen to quite a bit of 50 cent and a little bit of Tupac, I just wouldn't say that they influence me in how i rap personally.

  
  

  You talked about growing up in the suburbs, has the place you grew up been a big influence on the way your music has been shaped?

  
  

  DeeYeM: I'd say so yeah, I've grown up with a family who have had pretty good morals and values, this is a big reason why I really try to have a positive attitude in my music and maybe don't swear as much as I could in my songs (laughs). And also with me being a realistic person, I wouldn't talk about things that haven't happened or anything superficial really, unless joking of course! I just think if everyone talks about their own individual story you get a really unique feel to their songs!

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  When you recorded your first song, what was it like and how did the experience influence you?

  
  

  DeeYeM: Well my first recording.. If i remember correctly.. I was using some sort of cheap ($10) Sony mic, using a program called Magix, which i was using the 60 day trial for. Looking back it's actually crazy to think how much It's all changed that I'm using the equipment I'm using now. After I recorded my first song called "Pure" (with an american accent, yes you just read correctly..), that's when I really got a feel of being judged, the few good comments I got were hugely outweighed by the bad. Through all the bad comments it only made me search deeper and try that little bit harder to get where i am now. I have still got a very long way to go!

  
  

  How far do you think you've gone from since your first song, what can you say about that?

  
  

  DeeYeM: Well skills-wise I think I've completely changed my style and flow, over time i've really tried to work on both things and I think i've really been excelling lately! I think the reason I excelled would most likely be a lot of the harsh but honest comments I got in the beginning.

  
  

  The song Make It Rain got a mixed reception, can you tell me more about that?

  
  

  DeeYeM: yeah Make It Rain was one of the songs that got a lot of attention compared to the others. It was a song i did with Bonkers (another rapper who I no longer work/rap with), we made that song after gaining a bit of confidence through a lot of good comments and that, at the time I thought it was the best shit I've ever made but looking back now it just comes across as a really corny song about nothing really! I think the comments from the song really changed how I rap today

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  So do you have any other collaborations, or is there anyone else you would want to work with?

  
  

  DeeYeM: Yeah well I've actually done a few collabs. I did some work with two Melbourne rappers by the names of Doozie and Akaati, which can still be found up on youtube! Right now i'm doing heaps of solo work, so I'm not really planning to collab, but I might have the odd few here and there. I'm starting to meet heaps of new interesting people that are helping me out so you never know!

  
  Have you gotten to the point where you're confident enough to start doing your own stuff live?

  
  

  DeeYeM: Nah, not really as much as I love watching the battles I've never really thought about getting into freestyling, not really my thing! ...Even though everyone seems to be doing it! 

  No I havent really got to do any live shows yet, I've never really had a strong set of songs I've wanted to perform live recently. Now that I've finally finished my EP "The DeeYeM E.P", i'm real happy with all the music that has come out of it!

  
  

  

  
  

  
  You should just ask your friends if they would be interested in having someone perform at their party, and go from there.

  
  

  DeeYeM: Yeah well actually come to think of it a year back from now we performed at a couple parties and got great response from it, just yet to perform solo.

  
  You should try it, you know DZ Deathrays started out at house parties, and then opened up for Foo Fighters, so you could go anywhere.

  
  DeeYeM: I should give it a go!

  
  

  What's next?

  
  

  DeeYeM: Well now that the EP is done I'm sort of finding what im doing next, I'm working with some new people and hopefully evolving that into some projects, which I'll hopefully be working on!

  
  Would you ever consider playing with a live band, or would a DJ be more the way you would want to go?

  
  

  DeeYeM: Yeah, I really don't mind at all, right now I'd love to rap along with either! I guess I wouldn't know entirely until I've tried both.

  
  

  Before you go, is there anything else you would like to say?

  
  

  DeeYeM: Just working with heaps of new people I've been meeting lately and slowly deciding what the next project is! I'm thinking about slowly putting together a new mixtape/album but I think the main goal will now be to try get some live gigs soon!

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  
  

Interview with Inside Reality

Inside Reailty, they've been going at it strong and have almost got to the point where they are making an impact on the local scene. They consider themselves a hard rock/alternative rock with a large melting pot of influences. You have Sam on lead vocals and guitar, Corey on guitar and backing vocals, Damiean (aka Dutchy) on bass and Zac on drums. When I sat down to have a chat to these guys they wanted to keep it casual, first name basis.

So this must be exciting for you, recently getting announced as opening the main stage at Rocktober, how did this band start?

Dutchy (Damiean): Well, the band, for me, started by an invite from the drummer. When they were looking for a bassist I put my hand up. Since then I've been having a lot of fun. We've all put our bit in for travel, looking for gigs and opportunities and other stuff.

Corey: Well I always wanted to be in a band for ages but could never find other players, I knew Sam and so we decided to start something and see how it went. Soon after deciding to be in a band we met Zac, then it just progressed from there.

Dutchy: We all got along well and have fun, that's where we are now.

Sam: Well me and Corey thought we had too much expensive gear sitting in our rooms and was doing nothing with them. So we decided to do something and set out to find a drummer. By luck we met some weird dude with crazy hair called Zac, then we went about writing some pretty cool, and very loud music. Before getting a big gig at Spenser's Live a few months ago in desperate measures we found Dutchy as a bass player. The first guy didn't even turn up to practice, twice, without even telling us. So now we are having the time of our lives writing some awesome music together.

Zac: Well I had been in and out of bands for about three years, playing with people whom never showed and were completely uninterested. They didn't have the same mentality as me, so when one day I was randomly asked out of class to go do some questions which were asked by my future band mates Corey and Sam.  Soon we began to chat about music and how we wanted to be in a band, complained about past incompetency of old band mates.Finally one of us proposed a jam instantly we knew exactly what wanted from the sound which didn't take long to get sounding good. The last dilemma hadn't been met just yet we still needed a bloody bassist (who knew it could be so hard?). After months of advertising it finally reached Dutchy who we were so thankful for when he came to the band, instantly we felt a lot more confident and we knew that this was gonna last. Months down the track things are great and I couldn't ask for better band mates!

I know the feeling, having guys that don't turn up to practice isn't a good feeling.

Sam: Yeah we thought we'd never find a bass player, untill we found Dutchy and we instantly knew he was the one.

Dutchy: Booyah!

What was your first gig like?

Sam: For me it went terrible, I stuffed up too much and felt like shit afterwards. I felt depressed all day and never wanted to play again, until some little kids came up to me in their high pitched voices and said 'You where totally awesome" then I felt great about it.

Corey: Yeah it was horrible, I used the crappy school amp and it didn't sound too flash (laughs) and the teachers kept cracking it at us cos it was "too loud".



Dutchy: Well, as you know, i came in later, so my first gig was at Spensers, and the nerves killed, seeing it was 100+ crowd and id never played in front of anyone,and i only just remembered all the chords. after al, the nerves killed, but it was an excellent performance, even though the "professional" sound man was a paraplegic who lost his wife the week before. the sound of my bass was very little, even though i had the biggest amp. a little frustrating if you ask me

It's the back bone of the band, its gotta have presence.

Sam: Spenser's was a 300 person gig by the way!

Oh, watch out, we got a badass over here (laughs)

Sam: Who's the badass we are all whimps (laughs).

Dutchy: I'm the badass. I wear the sunnies on stage as a trademark or my dominance.

So as far influences go, what was your main inspiration or drive to start playing?

Dutchy: My main inspirations for music are Nirvana, Rise Against, The Offspring, A Day to Remember, Green Day, Linkin Park, Kaiser Chiefs and many more. For bass inspiration my mains are Rise Against, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Nirvana.

Bit of slappin' the bass?

Dutchy: For sure. (laughs)

Sam: Well, I think we all have different tastes in music which influence what we bring to the band. I'd say my main influences are Green Day, Blink 182, All Time Low, Linkin Park, You Me At Six and Paramore. In my performance I try to model my vocal parts to a punky style in the likes of Green Day and Blink. My guitar style is a mixture of punk, alternative and hard rock stuff, like Guns N' Roses and AC/DC style, but maybe not as good (laughs).

Zac: My drumming influences are Ben Harclerode of Whitechapel, James Cassells of Asking Alexandria and Matt Greiner of August Burns Red.

I hear a bit of M. Shadows, do you take any influence from bands like Avenged Sevenfold?

Corey: (laughs) Don't even know them, I kind of have a more old 80's style rock influence, such as bon jovi, warrant, and also Guns N' Roses. That sort of stuff, kinda an oldy then (laughs)
and yeah Dutchy's the master at slappin' shit (laughs)

Sam: M. Shadows is an awesome singer, I'd say I was influenced more by his melodic lines than his screaming though.


Avenged Sevenfold are sort of a modern day's equvalent bands like Guns N Roses, it's subjective though.

Sam: I like them, but I wouldn't say they are my biggest influence.

Are you guys working towards releasing any material?

Corey: Yeah, we always are. We started with just going ahead and writing our own stuff, stuff covers! (laughs) .Nah, but yeah were always eager to see what other people think of our own stuff and therefore play them at any oppurtunity we can get. We're wanting to get into the studio ASAP so we can release an EP, just gotta find the time at the moment, especially with exams right now, but yeah soon hopefully!

Sam: We will release some music soon no doubt about it, just hope its sooner rather than later (laughs)

Sooooo, Rocktober!

Sam: Are you pumped! Because we are, main stage baby!

Tell me more about it, and the other band's you'll be playing with.

Sam: Well there is Closure in Moscow who are huge on the melbourne scene and make us look like tiny ants and Summerset Avenue who I have become a huge fan of after hearing we were playing with them, I think they have such a unique sound, which is awesome.

Tell me more.

Sam: They are like an Aussie Paramore, they sound great. I can't wait to share the stage with them.

Oh... is the singer... um... attractive?
Joking once again, wont put that part in.

Corey: Ok, don't put it in... But yeah she's a fricken fantastic singer, like such a unique voice, works well with the Australian accent. Yeah shes not bad.. lol jokes f***ing hot as! (laughs)

Have you had the chance to share the stage with any other local bands you have something to say about?

Sam: Yeah, we have played 2 gigs with a pretty cool punk pop band from around the same parts as us. They are called Eight Days of Autumn, they are pretty awesome and they write some sick stuff and I hope we get to share the stage again with them soon.

Do you know some of the guys from Acrasia, I saw you had liked their page?
I saw those guys in Warrandyte at Epic Youth Fest, which was organised by Lachlan Mac.

Sam: Yeah, our drummer Zac is mates with a now former member I believe, who I also believe we will be recording with soon.

Does he work at a studio?

Sam: I believe he owns his own, Zac is probably the best to ask about that

Wow, that's quite impressive

Have you considered approaching someone about possibly playing as a opening act at Doncaster Epic Youth this year?

Sam: Haven't even heard about it but sounds like fun, we will have to look into that.

So I was talking to someone and they said it's hard to interview a band such as yours, because they have so much to say, yet its hard to come up with the questions. So I might go back to the music?
What was the thing that inspired you to start playing your instrument?

Sam: Sweet child o mine, that song changed my life, made me wanna play rock guitar.

Dutchy: Well, I had a lot of spare time as a young'n, so my entire holidays I spent working and bought myself a bass, cause i always loved the feeling and I'm really relaxed and chilled. After a year of playing it went into the cupboard for two years. When I stopped playing video games and got bored dad reminded me to play it or sell it, so I started playing it again and that was 8-9 months before I joined the band.

Corey: My dad, he was just like, he used to play it and I picked it up and tried what he played. From there I looked at other guitarists, like Slash. I even have an insane looking rabbit hair high hat, exactly like Slash.

Any funny stories from practice or gigs?

Dutchy: Well, we always get pizza during late/long practices, and we found out Sam is the slowest eater ever! We usually make up hilarious things to say on stage, and we just laughed our asses off everytime, so it'll be a hit. There have been many stuff ups and hilarious things happening, but probably the funniest thing that stuffs us up is the faces Corey and Sam pull while they play (chuckles) and Zac just plays with his head down, insane he is.

Is he one of those "drummers", the crazy ones?

Sam: Yeah, crazy (winks)

You know, drummers, they're all secretly insane.

Dutchy: We are all crazy (winks), Sam is crazy in general, Corey's fingers are insane! Zac just likes to hit everything that moves!, and everything that doesn't move too.

Has he ever used any of you as a drum before?

Sam: Yeah,  all of us.

So you must have a pretty cool rehearsal space if you can practice late.

Sam: He' got a bungalow separated from the house, its pretty secluded to, no volume limit.

Awesome.

Dutchy: Otherwise we've got my joint, in the shed.

It's hard to find time to practice when you have neighbours..

Sam: (laughs) I bet, thank god we live such a long way out from neighbours.

Pick a song that isn't very well known, slightly older or a classic from a long time ago to do in your own style?

Zac: I would like to interpret would be Edison's Medicine by Tesla

Sam: Well, since the other guys have gone I'll answer this. I think I'd love to do our version of Sweet Child O Mine, we tried on the spot it at soundcheck 2 gigs ago and I think Corey loved it playing it as a band. I thought it was good fun so I'd love to do that more often if we could make it our own, and not just trying to be a carbon Guns N Roses copy.

A punk cover, or something more your own style?

Sam: Maybe more of an alternative rock cover

Well cool thanks for the talk, we'll wrap up the interview.

Interview with Beyond Resentful

I am sitting here with Gage Newman (lead vocals), Shant Shakian (lead guitar), Robbie McKenzie (bass) and Shamus Gheraghty (drums) from the band Beyond Resentful. The young band is based out of Warrandyte, Melbourne, Australia. They have influences such as Whitechapel, Carnifex, Amon Amarth, Salt the Wound, Suicide Silence, Job for a Cowboy, Eat a Helicopter, and Parkway Drive. They've got a lot to say, and since they're between the ages of 14 & 16, certainly a lot to prove.

Ok we’re just about ready.
So how did this band start? What was your motivation?

Gage Newman: Well Shant and I have always had a passion for metal music, we always used to jam Slayer songs at lunch at our school, that was when I used to drum. We slowly started listening to heavier music including more death metal and deathcore. I decided to learn vocals, at first I didn’t tell anyone about it. Jake Johnson (our previous drummer), Shant and I were thinking of throwing together a little side project, it was more melodic in the style of Amon Armath and then it slowly just built into where we are today.

You've gone through a few line-up changes along the way?

Shant Shakian: I’m gonna give Gage this question.

GN: Well it’s taken a while to figure out who’s passionate and committed to getting shit done. We’ve always tried to get people who were mates with us and listen to metal aswell, we’ve gone through 3 drummers and a bassist and a backup vocalist to find what we have now, which I am pretty confident with a few tweaks will be the sound and line-up we have been looking for.

SS: Yes we are just trying and trying to find the sound we want.

Have you started playing any shows yet or are you still rehearsing in the garage?

SS: Well in the school room E something all the yr 7’s, 8’s and 9's came and started a mosh around and listened to us outside and inside of the classroom.
Well also we were going to do the talent quest, we have entered into that.

GN: We’ve played a few small in school ones just to promote us but nothing big

SS: Not very sure about the talent quest at the moment because we haven't got any time to meet up in the holidays.

GN: Yeah it’s been really difficult,
but we will try our absolute hardest.

That one in the classroom sounds cool.
Yeah, it's always difficult to find the time to practice.

GN: Yeah, definitely.

Have you had a chance to record any of your material?

Shamus Geraghty: We had booked a studio previously this week, but
due to troubles at school we never got around to it.

SS: Well we have got our Intro and the song Lies, but not recorded cause we need to tweak/fix them up.
We are bringing back some old songs and having a look at them and fixing them up to to our liking cause we didn’t think we did a good job on them, for you guys to enjoy.

GN: I’m currently writing a new song that will be on our 4 song EP including an intro piece, we will try and get some studio time in soon or if not we will just do it at school.

Tell us more about your EP/demo.

GN: Well our new EP that we will be working on very soon will be 4 tracks including an intro. We will be putting on a re-done version of "Lies" and couple of new tracks that we are yet to start working on so if we do get it finished it will be released around Christmas time or afterwards.

Shamus, tell us more about your experience in the band?

SG: I joined in replacement of the old drummer who wasn’t wanting to do it anymore, or just had less commitment? I think that’s what happened, anyway now I’m just enjoying it putting ideas i have into it. I have rehersal spaces at my house for when school doesn’t provide enough time

Shant, what has your experience been in the band, what has your role as the guitarist been like, seeing as you are the only guitarist in the band. Have you ever considered working with a 2nd guitar player?

SS: Well my role in the band is finding riffs on the spot  and just enjoying what I do while playing. It makes me happy working with people that like the music I play and write, and it gives me more confidence in my playing. Working with another guitarist would be great for harmonizing parts of the songs and a it would have a more full sound, well that’s my opinion of having 2 guitarists in the band.

So it would be something you would consider in the future, but not something you need right now for the band.

SS: I reckon we do need it right now a second guitarist that enjoys deathcore music
Maybe we would consider finding someone else after we record our EP.

Robbie, what has your role been like in this band?

Robbie McKenzie: I play bass and despite everyone thinking i don’t, I actually do enjoy it a lot.
Shant, Gage and Shamus are my best mates so I couldn’t ask for anything more.

Everyone just assumes you can’t have fun playing bass.

Anyone have anything else to add?

SS: We aren’t going to video or do anything at the moment, we are mainly focusing on working hard on the songs.

SG: Yeah we might have a break from the people and just stay quiet for a little while. We will be working very hard in the mean time, so don’t worry.

GN: Yeah exactly.

SS: Got any weird questions? (laughs)

What's the weirdest thing that has happened at band practice?
Any stories from your experience?

SS: Seeing Jake’s fat, wearing my leather jacket.

GN: We occasionally play classic 80’s rock music like Jesse’s Girl and shit when we are bored.

SS: Yeah punk riffs 80's beats and a ho down singing

Bit of sweet home alabama?

GN: Yeah. (laughs)
I tripped over a chair while playing back to the morgue live.

SS: Yes, the embarrassing moment when Gage tripped over that chair.

Was that one of the first songs you wrote?

SS: Yes it was. The first one,

Could we hear a death metal version of Sweet Chil O Mine any time soon?

SS: Never heard of that song. (laughs)

Never heard of that song..? There's the door. Haven't you seen the movie Step Brothers?

SS: Nope

We might have hit a brick-wall here. At least one of you knows Sweet Child O Mine by Guns N' Roses right? It’s a classic, ask your parents.

GN: Maybe (laughs).
We’ve done a Smoke on the Water Graveyard classics cover
sounded pretty savage.

SS: Yeah

How have you approached the drumming in this band Shamus?

SG: Well basically it has given me a lot more time to focus on the metal style of drumming, and I have something to work on now.

Are you contributing any backing vocals, seeing as you are singing lead for your other project Forsaken Are We?

GN: I would be happy to do any backups on either recording or even live, but it’s up to Gage and I respect every decision he makes.

Were you previously more into other styles of playing?

SG: I learnt drums playing rock, but as soon as I got some double kick pedals I drove off from there and got really into it.

The real question is, can you pull off drumming and singing at the same time.

SG: I’ve tried it’s not that easy, but with practice its possible.
As I said before though it would have to be up to Gage

GN: I don’t mind, his vocal style matches ours well. We just need to figure it out.

Thanks for the chat guys, I’m sure we’ll hear a lot more from you soon.