Author: Troy Culpan

JD Cronise of The Sword

JD Cronise of The Sword

“…I think these days I think I’ve observed a lot more just because time has passed and I’ve had time to do so and I’ve just taken in and studied a lot more music and just the craft of song writing.” From Release: Even at this point in their career, there can often be difficulty when it comes to describing […]

Read more ›
Jahred Gomes of (hed) p.e.

Jahred Gomes of (hed) p.e.

“I can’t just say whatever pops into my head these days because I have a ten year old son and it really does affect me. When there probably was a time I would write or sing anything just to shock people now I would not take that path artistically.” From Release: Fusing rock, punk, rasta, gansta rap and soul into […]

Read more ›
Ben Johnston of Biffy Clyro

Ben Johnston of Biffy Clyro

“I think as you watch us there are some bands you can tell they’re putting it on, but we very much mean it and we demand a lot of ourselves and I think people see that and then put that kind of pressure on themselves and boost themselves to get into it and keep us going…” From Release: Biffy Clyro […]

Read more ›
Andrew Strong

Andrew Strong

“…it’s a great thing and it’s not that often that you can be a part of something where you can talk about, actually it’s been more than twenty five years, it’s been twenty seven years since the movie so yeah it’s great, great that it stood the test of time.” From Release: In 1991, Strong was introduced to the world […]

Read more ›
Fall Out Boy – Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney – March 2, 2018

Fall Out Boy – Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney – March 2, 2018

They’re back! It’s been a few years since we’ve seen Fall Out Boy in Australia and I’ll tell you what hasn’t gone by the wayside, their fan base! This place is pretty damn full besides a couple of curtains upstairs and it looks great in here. I’ve perched myself at the back of the venue near what looks like a […]

Read more ›
Andrew W.K.

Andrew W.K.

“I feel very much like I did back in 1998 / 1999 I’m still climbing the same mountain, maybe I have some new tools I certainly think that through practise and continued effort you develop additional skills and refine your approach to get into that peak but I still haven’t gotten to that climax and in way I’m thankful because […]

Read more ›
Michael Schenker

Michael Schenker

”… I haven’t been listening to music since I was seventeen and haven’t copied anyone since I was seventeen, I became a trend maker rather than a trend follower and so I just always make sure because my focus is the lead guitar, the art of lead guitar is pure self-expression that’s what I do.” From Release: Michael Schenker is […]

Read more ›
Zakk Wylde of Black Label Society

Zakk Wylde of Black Label Society

“I mean everyone asks, “Zakk, is this a greatest hits record?” and I say no in order for it to be a greatest hits record you need that one vital, important ingredient and that would be hit songs, we don’t have any hit songs. So that’s the reason it’s ‘Grimmest Hits’.” From Release: One part invading horde and all parts […]

Read more ›
Joe Principe of Rise Against (Video Interview)

Joe Principe of Rise Against (Video Interview)

“I always say our shows are kind of an interactive experience, we feed off the crowd and the crowd feeds off of us and we’re all kind of in it together, there’s no like up on a pedestal like this rock star band. We want to get down in the trenches with our fans and I love that.” From Release: […]

Read more ›
Evanescence – Sydney Opera House – February 14, 2018 

Evanescence – Sydney Opera House – February 14, 2018 

Evanescence are back in Australia and tonight they’re here to do something pretty special. Not only have they reworked their songs for their newest album ‘Synthesis’ but they’re here to play it in full tonight with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in probably the most iconic venue you can get, the Sydney Opera House. The orchestra warms up for us and we’re […]

Read more ›
Rise Against – The Hordern Pavilion, Sydney – February 13, 2018

Rise Against – The Hordern Pavilion, Sydney – February 13, 2018

Rise Against are making a habit out of coming to Australia and there’s no problem with that at all. They’re back in Sydney tonight at this top of their ‘Wolves’ tour and the Hordern is ready for a dose of punk rock and roll! Pagan and Bare Bones opened the night and both came out firing and delivered a tight, […]

Read more ›
Claim The Throne

Claim The Throne

“I think this album is the most stylistically diverse of our albums, but somehow manages to still sound like Claim The Throne. Each song was like a little project by one person that was jammed out and built upon by the other members.” From Bio: Ripping apart folk metal with a merciless assault, finally a band is delivering an extreme […]

Read more ›
Will Hunt of Evanescence

Will Hunt of Evanescence

“So we’ve gotten this to a point where we’re really happy with it, it’s a very different experience, I’ve had a lot of people describe it as somewhat cinematic, really emotional, it’s a different thing it’s still Evanescence through and through but it’s a different experience for sure…” From Release: Two-time GRAMMY award-winners Evanescence are heading to Australia for Synthesis […]

Read more ›
Jerry Horton & Tony Palermo of Papa Roach (Video Interview)

Jerry Horton & Tony Palermo of Papa Roach (Video Interview)

“We just like those moments of having everybody involved, so we sort of tailor our set around that type of dynamic.  We have a song for people to jump to, we have a song for people to sing along to, there’s just a few different things we like to have the crowd do and we’ll find a song that’s best […]

Read more ›
Foo Fighters – ANZ Stadium, Sydney – January 27, 2018

Foo Fighters – ANZ Stadium, Sydney – January 27, 2018

Tonight is destined to be a kick ass night of live music! The Foo’s are back in Australia and ready to rock ANZ stadium. The weather is perfect and there are a heap of people in here early to make sure they catch the supports, or maybe just to get a good spot down the front for their favourite band. […]

Read more ›
Papa Roach – The Metro Theatre, Sydney – January 24, 2018

Papa Roach – The Metro Theatre, Sydney – January 24, 2018

It’s so crazy to think that twenty five years into Papa Roach’s career that this is their first headline tour to Australia, and here we are on the second night of their Sydney run and ready to witness the mayhem and long overdue tour. Opening the night are The Pits. Well that was entertaining as all get up. Panic! at […]

Read more ›
Alanis Morissette – ICC, Sydney – January 24, 2018

Alanis Morissette – ICC, Sydney – January 24, 2018

Well it’s been far too long since Alanis Morissette has been to Australia and here we are tonight for what is going to be pretty special as we get a stripped down night of her classic songs, songs that have shaped music and stuck with those here for now over twenty years. As Alanis and her two guitarists take their […]

Read more ›
Dweezil Zappa

Dweezil Zappa

“…we’ve definitely put material together that shows off a lot more in depth elements of my Dad’s composing style and I think if anyone has not heard the music they’ll get a very broad selection which I think has always been my goal is to show as much of the depth and variety and composition style, and so that’s kind […]

Read more ›
Tonight Alive – Underworld

Tonight Alive – Underworld

I’ve been excited for this album for a while now, as watching the process of this band grow and evolve over the years through countless live shows that never disappoint, and music that delivers a message and a feeling is a treat. This album is in a way a new beginning for Tonight Alive as they move to a new […]

Read more ›
Fuel – The Manning Bar, Sydney – December 8, 2017

Fuel – The Manning Bar, Sydney – December 8, 2017

Reviewing one of your favourite bands is tough, even more so when you have their logo tattooed on your wrist but tonight I have accepted the mission to review the return of Fuel to Sydney after a very, very long time away while they’re here to celebrate 20 years since ‘Sunburn’. Hurst open up the show with a good selection […]

Read more ›
Simon Delaney of Don Broco

Simon Delaney of Don Broco

“…when we see some other bands we kind of take for granted that we all grew up together and we were kids just playing our songs and that’s kind of still what we are, we’re the same dudes we’re just lucky to be able to do it on a bigger scale now, and I think that’s the best thing for […]

Read more ›
Ugly Kid Joe – The Manning Bar, Sydney – December 3, 2017

Ugly Kid Joe – The Manning Bar, Sydney – December 3, 2017

I dig these album anniversary tours, especially when it’s an album I grew up with and this one was a part of that and twenty five years on we’re all here to celebrate ‘America’s Least Wanted’ hitting a quarter of a century, and this show even more special as it’s the first of this run. So how it’ll play out, […]

Read more ›
Neil Hilborn

Neil Hilborn

“…in my health I deal with it so much and what I’m dealing with on a day to day basis is my personal mental health so I think for me I think it’s always been so important to be as genuine and as honest as I possibly can about my mental health and hope that it inspires people to be […]

Read more ›
Gilby Clarke

Gilby Clarke

“I try to be honest with my music it’s the only way I know how to do it, I’ve never as they say chased the tail I don’t go ‘I do it for my fans’ I do it for me, I think it’s important as an artist to be true to yourself, write the music that turns you on.” From […]

Read more ›
Photo: Robert Smith

Mike Portnoy of Sons of Apollo (Video Interview)

“I’ve kind of strayed away from the progressive metal genre for the last seven years since I left Dream Theater. So I guess for me this line up is a chance to dip my toes back into that world.” From Release: The new supergroup featuring members of Dream Theater, Mr. Big, Guns ‘N Roses, and Journey. For the past few […]

Read more ›
The Temper Trap – The Metro Theatre, Sydney – November 22, 2017

The Temper Trap – The Metro Theatre, Sydney – November 22, 2017

It’s been a while since The Temper Trap have graced home shores and tonight on the opening night of their tour the sold out Metro tells me we’re in for a good night. “It’s good to be back home, thanks for coming out, guys” is the greeting that leads into ‘Fader’ and as the crowd joins in for the chorus […]

Read more ›
Whitfield Crane of Ugly Kid Joe

Whitfield Crane of Ugly Kid Joe

“Imagine if you dreamed you want to be in a band but you’re not quite sure what it would be, it was that times a thousand because it was on fire, like the way it took us and took us around the world but we didn’t know that, we didn’t know what it was, we didn’t how to react and […]

Read more ›
Alex Band of The Calling

Alex Band of The Calling

“…so for me I’m still here and I’m still writing and creating the music that everybody fell in love with from the beginning. It might sound more up to date, it might sound different a little bit but for the most part they’re big songs you would hear in stadiums, they’re anthemic, lots of big songs and just a lot […]

Read more ›
Derek Sherinian of Sons of Apollo

Derek Sherinian of Sons of Apollo

“We knew once the record came out that people would really hear that we’re a rock band, that this record is primarily based in hard rock and classic rock but we have these progressive rock moments and you can hear the virtuosity throughout…” From Release: The new supergroup featuring members of Dream Theater, Mr. Big, Guns ‘N Roses, and Journey. […]

Read more ›
Bryce Soderberg of Lifehouse

Bryce Soderberg of Lifehouse

“…we don’t try and recreate the first record over and over again, we try and grow but we definitely feel fortunate that if you hear a Lifehouse song you’ll know that it’s Lifehouse, and that’s a good thing for us.” From release: Los Angeles-based Lifehouse broke through in a big way when “Hanging by a Moment,” from their debut album […]

Read more ›