HEAVY Music Interviews

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All the latest music interviews from the team at HEAVY Magazine. HEAVY interviews the worlds leading rock, punk, metal and beyond musicians in the heavy universe of music. We will upload the latest interviews regularly so before to follow our social accounts and our podcast account on www.speaker.com/user/heavy Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

hace 2 días

Still Figuring Out How It Works After 25 Years With CAM BAINES From BODYJAR

Interview by Kris Peters Bodyjar is bringing the machine back in for its 25-year scheduled service this July and August 2026, proving that classic Aussie punk rock never goes out of style. Celebrating a quarter-century of their iconic, gold-selling fourth album How It Works, the Melbourne legends are hitting the highway for the massive How It Still Works national tour. Let’s be honest: when an album like How It Works drops in 2000 and completely reshapes the landscape of Australian punk, you don't just let it gather dust. You polish up the riffs, lube up the kit, and drag it back out to blow the roof off venues across the country. The boys have made it very clear that the odometer might be clocked, but the vehicle is fully serviced and ready to put on some serious mileage. Frontman Cam Baines has reportedly undergone a full grease and oil change, Tommy Read has a fresh set of strings, and the whole unit is primed to deliver that signature, hard-hitting sonic assault we've been craving. The 11-date run kicks off on July 9 at the King Street Bandroom in Newcastle, before tearing through a ruthless schedule of metro and regional venues. Fans can look forward to hearing anthems like Not The Same and Feed It exactly how they were meant to be experienced: loud, fast, and surrounded by a sweaty, fist-pumping mosh pit. HEAVY caught up with Cam Baines to dig deeper. "We've been around for probably 30 years, 29 years or something, and probably even a bit longer if you go back a little bit further," he began. "We had a different name and everything, but we're doing a tour in July for our album, How It Works, and it's the 25-year scheduled service we're calling it. Just getting this album back on the road and playing all the songs we never play live, and trying to play some of the other tracks that people never hear, is exciting. And because it was a pretty successful album for us, we sort of thought, let's just do this, and we're working on a new album at the same time. We've actually got a new song coming out pretty soon with a video and everything!" In the full interview, Cam explained that the shows will focus on How It Works combined with fan favourites, use an Instagram poll to select additional songs, and randomise song order so performances can be swapped on the night to stay fresh. He told us about the special guests, describing the support act as a punk-rock "supergroup" composed of members from $1 Short, Frenzal Rhomb, and Something With Numbers assembled specifically for the run. We talked about the making of How It Works, including the band's decision to join a major label prior to the release and how that impacted the final result. Cam said the band aimed for a big melodic rock sound on How It Works and felt the record achieved that ambition. Cam recalled the success of How It Works, including being showcased on Tony Hawk's video game, future music and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

14 min
hace 3 días

The Art Of Sonic Seduction With CARINA ROUND And MAT MITCHELL From PUSCIFER

Get ready to have your absolute minds melted, Australia. The legendary Maynard James Keenan is pulling a massive double shift this December, bringing his electro-rock side-project Puscifer down under to open for none other than his own alternative rock heavyweights, A Perfect Circle. Talk about an absolute masterclass in sonic insanity! If you’ve been living under a rock, you’d know it’s been more than a decade since A Perfect Circle last graced our shores. But the real kicker here is the inclusion of Puscifer, who are locked and loaded to push the boundaries of reality with their bizarre, post-punk electronics and absurdist storytelling. Adding serious fuel to the fire, the band just dropped their brand-new, ultra-dark studio album Normal Isn't earlier this year. Trust me when I say this record is custom-built to be experienced live, packed with the kind of crushing, experimental tension that gets your blood running. This isn't just a standard rock show; it's a 21st-century freak show where anything goes. Alongside mastermind Mat Mitchell and the mesmerizing vocal powerhouse Carina Round, Maynard treats a Puscifer gig like an immersive, theatrical assault on the senses. Expect alien landscapes, bizarre characters, and a massive wall of sound that seamlessly jumps from fuzzy garage-metal to spaced-out, electronic soundscapes. Mat and Carina sat down with HEAVY to talk more. With the Puscifer live experience relying heavily on production and atmosphere, we ask if the band are in a position to bring their full set-up with them. "It'll be full production," Mat affirmed. "I think that it's as important as hearing the songs is the experience of what we do. So we try to bring everything and give everyone the best possible show we can." "There's not really a stripped-down version," Carina added. "It's all one big vehicle for the story, and if something gets taken away, then it takes away from the story. So it's always going to be the full show." In the full interview, Mat and Carina talk more about the stage production and how important it is to the live show. They tell us why it has been so long since their last visit, and what has changed with the band in that time. We talk about their pairing with A Perfect Circle and why it works, conveying the emotive aspects of their music in a live setting, how they get themselves into character before each show and small rituals they have for doing so. Carina talked us through her on-stage chemistry with Maynard, highlighting their vocal roles when performing together. Puscifer's recent album Normal Isn't was also discussed, with Mat and Carina talking us through the creative process and getting the balance right in the early stages plus more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

14 min
hace 4 días

Embracing The Anger With GRACE PASTURINI From VINDICTA

Interview by Ali Williams VINDICTA are heading Down Under this month and are starting a new era by becoming louder, angrier and significantly harder to ignore. Freshly formed by vocalist Grace Pasturini, formally of Dutch band Dogma, Pasturini and other former members are diving headfirst into ensuring VINDICTA hits in all the right spots, following the chaotic demise of their previous band. Chatting with HEAVY’s Ali Williams, Grace assures that the band’s next chapter is not a polite little adjustment or a cautious shuffle into slightly different shoes. It is a full creative shift, backed by new music, a concept album in progress, a fresh music video, a run of singles and, most importantly for Australian fans, the band’s first ever trip to this side of the world. Grace made it clear that VINDICTA are moving into a sharper, more aggressive space. Their previous sound carried more melody and power metal brightness, but the new material has a nastier pulse to it. Not in a forced “look how dangerous we are” way either. More in the sense that this time they aren't going to be singing pretty ot dressing the truth up to look cute. “We’re pulling a little bit away from our older sound,” she explains. “It’s a bit more aggressive; it’s more honest.” That honesty seems to suit her voice as much as the band’s direction. While plenty of vocalists treat aggression like something they have to wrestle into place, Pasturini says this heavier delivery actually comes more naturally. The rawer edge is not just better for the songs; it is gentler on her voice. Some singers are out here fighting for their lives, trying to sound melodic, and Grace is finding relief in going harder. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

12 min
19 jun

Absence Makes The Riffs Grow Stronger With JENNI And MARTY POWELL From RIFF RAIDERS

Melbourne outfit Riff Raiders are a powerhouse hard rock outfit known for their explosive live energy, massive hooks, and crunching guitar riffs. Formed in 2017, the band features core members Jenni Powell on soaring lead vocals and Marty Powell on lead guitar. The band initially built a loyal following across the Australian live rock circuit with their debut album Live Like You Mean It and their critically acclaimed 2020 follow-up Rock and Roll Daydream, with their signature sound blending classic Aussie rock traditions with a sharp, modern alternative edge. On 7 June 2026, the band ended a six-year album hiatus by releasing their highly anticipated third studio record, Welcome to Mars. Released worldwide across streaming platforms like Spotify and YouTube Music, the tightly constructed 11-track project serves as a grand "rock ’n’ roll re-entry". Welcome to Mars is a genre-blurring collection that explores diverse musical flavours while staying rooted in hard rock. The album's roll-out was driven by three standout singles that showcase the band's creative evolution: Nothing to Lose, Broken Halo and Welcome To Mars. To support the release, Riff Raiders are breaking their long absence from the live stage. They will celebrate their official live comeback on August 28 in Melbourne as part of the Rock Is Not Dead festival, bringing their new space-age stadium anthems directly to the fans. HEAVY caught up with Jenni and Marty to chat more, asking them to describe Welcome To Mars from a musical point of view. "On the last album, Rock and Roll Daydream, we did a lot more overdubbing and went for a bigger production sort of sound," Marty measured. "So this time we stripped it right back and brought the bass and drums right up into the picture and kept the guitars pretty dry and simple and really showcased the vocals. The idea of the band with Riff Raiders is we do a few different styles of hard rock, which hopefully tie together under the theme of Welcome to Mars this time." In the full interview, Jenni and Marty dive deeper into Welcome To Mars, including the three singles released and how they reflect the album overall. We spoke about the different layers of rock throughout the album and finding the balance and cohesiveness to keep the flow going. We talked about Riff Raiders' prolonged absence from the stage and the reasons behind it, the upcoming Rock Is Not Dead show, future gigs and more. Welcome To Mars is out now: https://tinyurl.com/WelcomeToMars Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

12 min
19 jun

From Calm Comes Chaos With JAYTANIC RITUAL From THE NEPTUNE POWER FEDERATION

Interview by Kris Peters Dead of Winter Festival is officially back, resurrecting its glorious, dark alternative underworld at Brisbane’s iconic Mansfield Tavern on Saturday, 27 June 2026. After six long years in the shadows, this absolute staple of the heavy music calendar is rising like a Phoenix. Organisers have curated a massive line-up of 31 bands, performance art, and horror cosplay. Yet, out of all the distortion and chaos set to take over the multiple stages, one band is uniquely poised to completely steal the show: The Neptune Power Federation. Fresh off massive European touring, the Sydney-based rock outfit is making their highly anticipated return to Australian soil. If you have ever witnessed them live, you already know it is an over-the-top, mind-bending experience. If you haven't, prepare your soul. Fronted by the utterly hypnotic and fiercely commanding Imperial Priestess, Screaming Loz Sfire, the band seamlessly blends 1970s heavy psych, punk-driven aggression, and pure, unadulterated stadium rock theatrics. They do not just play a set; they bring a full cosmic ritual that forces your feet to tap and your neck to snap. What makes their inclusion at Dead of Winter so perfect is how seamlessly their occult energy meshes with the festival's community atmosphere. Backed by a razor-sharp rhythm section and an onslaught of massive, screeching guitar riffs, they are an absolute powerhouse of rock 'n' roll. Dead of Winter has always built its legacy on being a super fun, super safe space for sub-genres to collide. The Neptune Power Federation delivers exactly that brand of welcoming, theatrical madness. HEAVY sat down with bass player Jaytanic Ritual (a.k.a Jason Whalley from Frenzal Rhomb) to better prepare ourselves for the show and asked about the genesis of the band. "We were formed on a distant planet," he began. "We were summoned by Her Majesty the Imperial Priestess to basically support her in all her endeavours. Those endeavors being traveling through time to destroy the patriarchy. So we've basically been doing her bidding now for about 10 years in our time, but it spans the millennia in other people's time. We also have all these rules. So, none of the men in the band are allowed to speak. She's deemed that it's okay for me to talk today, so I can talk candidly, but for the most part, we're there just to do her bidding. And apparently, her bidding is to play 1970s psychedelic rock." We mention that it must be an exercise in futility expecting Jaytanic Ritual to say nothing from the stage, to which his tone became more sombre. "The consequences of speaking are so dire that it's better off just doing what she wants," he replied, fear in his eyes. "The other thing we're not allowed to do is smile, because what we're doing is very serious. Plus, we're not allowed to wear band shirts because we're the only band from our planet, so there are a lot of rules, but I do like the boundaries." In the full interview, we explore the world of The Neptune Power Federation in greater detail, finding out what makes them tick and the driving force behind their music. Jaytanic Ritual runs us through their live performance and what to expect, offering three songs concert goers can listen to in order to get to know the band better if they are only new to the party. We talk about the new album Mondo Tomorrow and its musical psyche, including the move away from recounting the adventures of the High Priestess in favour of technology. Jaytanic Ritual explains how the album sees The Neptune Power Federation return more to their punk roots, the surprise album that was recorded at the same time and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

15 min
18 jun

Finding Salvation in Loss With ALPHA From GAEREA

Interview by Kris Peters Portuguese masked metal maestros Gaerea will embark on their highly anticipated debut tour of Australia next month. Presented by Soundworks Direct, the five-date national run is officially titled the Loss Australian Tour. This run marks the very first time the cathartic extreme metal band will bring their intense live performance down under. Known for their signature black hoods and a sound that blends crushing breakdowns with soaring, emotional melodies, Gaerea has built a formidable reputation in the global heavy music scene. The upcoming shows promise to deliver immense emotional impact and raw live energy. Vocalist Alpha shared that the tour is a massive milestone for the group. While Australian promoters have shown eager interest since Gaerea's early days, the high financial barrier of international travel delayed the trip until the band reached a stable position. Now celebrating a ten-year journey, the band is thrilled to bridge the physical gap with their long-time supporters. The nightly setlists will span Gaerea’s entire discography. Audiences can expect to hear definitive tracks from earlier foundational releases like Unsettling Whispers, Limbo, and Mirage. The performance will heavily highlight material from their 2024 album Coma, alongside an immersive exploration of their newest sonic era, Loss. Supporting the band across the East Coast leg of the tour is Melbourne-based progressive tech-metal act Ironstone, adding exceptional local flavour to the brutal bill. HEAVY caught up with Alpha to find out more, asking him to run us through what fans can expect from the shows. "Well, I always say that it is the best cocktail mix that we can do to make a very aggressive show," he replied, "together with minimalistic, super melodramatic emotional moments where we go through the motions of anger, but also loss, for example, or sadness. There's a bit of everything in terms of the extremes of emotions in the show. We try to be very visual with that. And yeah, I'm pretty sure it's going to be a good, striking, emotional ride. That's what we set ourselves to do 10 years ago, and we've been doing that. So again, it feels good to be able to do it for the first time in a country. But I heard the fans go completely wild in Australia, so that's always something that gets our blood running for even better shows." Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

15 min
18 jun

Growing Pains With NATHAN CAVALERI

There are few stories in Australian rock history as heavy or as real as Nathan Cavaleri’s. We all remember the kid—the pint-sized blues prodigy who jammed with B.B. King, signed global deals, and made the guitar sing like a seasoned delta master before he was even a teenager. But as any rock fan knows, the higher the climb, the more brutal the crash. With his upcoming massive national theatre production, the Growing Pains tour, Cavaleri isn't just playing a set of tunes; he’s laying his soul bare on stage in a raw, real-time reckoning with stardom, mental health, and survival. This isn't your standard, ego-driven rock retrospective. This is an intimate, solo performance that beautifully blends heavy storytelling with the soulful, blues-infused musical prowess that made him a household name. Cavaleri is taking audiences on an emotional rollercoaster, tracking his journey from busking on the streets of Campbelltown to conquering international stages, battling leukaemia, and surviving a full-blown mental health collapse that once left him terrified to even pick up a guitar. What makes Growing Pains so essential is its unapologetic vulnerability. Cavaleri openly admits to feeling "nervous as hell" about putting his darkest moments under the theatre spotlight. Yet, it’s exactly that honesty—paired with his undeniable guitar wizardry—that leaves the crowd uplifted, inspired, and completely in awe. It is a powerful reminder of how music can serve as ultimate therapy. HEAVY sat down with Nathan to chat about the run of shows and the subject matter, asking where the idea came from. "When I got back into it, I was actually just starting to share my experiences," he began, "like growing up on tour and playing with all these amazing legends, but also making sense of life along the way and some of the challenges I went through. I was getting a lot of feedback from members of the audience saying that they loved the songs, but they really loved the stories and wanted more of them, and suggested I write a book. I've lived this life, so it's not... it just feels pretty normal to me. And I thought, well, I don't want to write a book. It feels a little bit premature, but they were barking at me for a long time. So I thought, all right, well, why don't I try something different and bring it to the stage and create a live show out of it?" In the full interview, Nathan talks more about the genesis of the idea, including how he decided what subject matter to cover. He detailed the difficulties he faced confronting some of those memories and working them into a narrative, offering up some stories that made the final cut along the way. He talked about some of his best memories, how music ultimately affected his mental health and the steps he has taken to get through it. The format of the shows was discussed, as was the level of crowd interaction, as well as new music and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

21 min
16 jun

THE DAMNED's CAPTAIN SENSIBLE Reflects On 50 Years Of Punk Chaos

Interview by Angela Croudace Fifty years after helping ignite the UK punk movement, Captain Sensible still sounds pleasantly surprised that The Damned are standing strong. Speaking ahead of the band's Australian 50th Anniversary Tour this September, the guitarist reflected on a career that has taken the group from playing tiny pubs to prestigious venues that once wanted nothing to do with them. "When we started, I never thought it would last more than three or four weeks," he laughed. "We were playing this uncompromising noise music and upsetting audiences. I never thought anyone would let us make an album, let alone still be doing it 50 years later." For Sensible, The Damned's longevity comes down to authenticity. Despite five decades on the road, the band continues to embrace unpredictability. "You never know what's going to happen next, even we don't know," he said. "That's the great thing about proper, organic rock and roll." The celebrations arrive during what Sensible calls a "golden period" for the band. One particularly satisfying milestone has been performing at iconic venues that once rejected them. "We're playing places that banned us back in the day," he said. "The Royal Albert Hall didn't want us in the late '70s, and now we're playing places like the Sydney Opera House. For a band that's always been anti-establishment, that's pretty ridiculous." The conversation also unearthed one of punk's more bizarre stories, with Sensible confirming a bit of family lore for me; a tale involving an inflatable dinosaur costume at London's Rainbow Theatre. After being dragged into the crowd by the costume's tail, he emerged without it and finished the show naked. "It's why there was never a repeat performance," he joked. Fifty years on, The Damned remain rebellious, unpredictable and, somehow, still surprising themselves. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

22 min

All the latest music interviews from the team at HEAVY Magazine. HEAVY interviews the worlds leading rock, punk, metal and beyond musicians in the heavy universe of music. We will upload the latest interviews regularly so before to follow our social accounts and our podcast account on www.speaker.com/user/heavy Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.

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HEAVY Music Interviews