EMQ’s with Shatterface
EMQ’s with Shatterface
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with Australian Industrial/ Groove Metal band, Shatterface. Huge thanks to them all for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play, and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
[Rob] Tim, our Guitarist, and I started the band early this year as we had a stockpiled library of heavy sounds, concepts and wicked ideas that no matter who we pitched them too, we were constantly told we “couldn’t do that” or “that will never work”. When we thought, we need that 3rd wheel just to finish this off, almost like a “shining” James contacted me asking if I was planning anything Industrial or Heavy as a new project and having worked with him for many years in the past instantly, I knew we had a winning trio.
[James] I play bass and help out here and there with networking, writing songs and sci-fi lore is what I love about the bands direction. Always wanted to do something like this. I traditionally work on death, grind and crust punk projects so this is new territory for me. It’s been a lot of fun though, and a chance to do something different. Growing up as a young whippersnapper listening to Fear Factory and SYL it’s like a dream come true.
Rob and myself have been friends for years, we’ve had our ups and downs, been in bands together and when asked to give it a shot, I was very impressed with how the whole thing was coming together. I wasn’t prepared for how fast it grew, from Facebook to YouTube to Spotify, I had to run to keep up. And with the film clip about to launch I’m super exited for that comes next.
How did you come up with your band name?
[Rob] We wanted something easy to remember and easy to spell. We’d played in Black / Death metal bands which had names and logos that looked like the root structure of a veggie garden and always watched people have to be spelled out the name then we’d get a weak “yeah I’ll check you guys out, sure” So we choose a simple and strong, 2 word, Verb / Noun combo as our name, Shatter – Face.
[James] Rob named the band, and it grew on me. Reminds me of a lot of the 90’s industrial sounds and media out at the time, stuff like Fear factory, Shadow Run. Very cyberpunk, I dig it.
What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?
[Tim] Sydney, Australia. Far too sunny here to wear black all year round though. How is the scene? Well, it’s quite strong actually, a lot of indie artists popping up and moving on all the time. Sometimes I feel like it’s stuck in the 80’s though with a lot of Big Four thrash running the show
[James] Western Sydney. It needs more festivals. I do a lot of security work and can tell that some silly laws need to be removed but apart from that it’s a cash cow, International tours playing in the inner western regions needs to happen.
What is your latest release?
[Tim] In the very recent past we have just released an official video from one of the key songs of our new EP “Anodize”. Eternal Nothing is an awesome heavy industrial track which is guaranteed to get anyone with an appreciation of distortion and beat’s head bobbing. It was a comedy of errors filming it but somehow the room made it to the reel and its out for all to see.
[James] It took a bit of work and some swearing, plus wireless gadgets shorting out, but the video clip is officially finished, we don’t wanna wait till everything looks and sounds perfect, it just wouldn’t still be us then.
Who have been your greatest influences?
[Rob] I have 2 big ones actually, I love what Rammstein has done and become over the years. The sound, the show, the stories and scandals. 100% rock star blood in those boys. Growing up though I listened to every Alice Cooper song and studied and researched every stage stunt and prop specs, and just the theatrics of it all has left an impression that given the chance, I’ll bring to our stages wherever I can sneak it in. So, basically, I want a show like Alice’s, but with more flame throwers.
[James] Fear Factory, Alchemist (AUS). One is industrial the other is very space and spirit driven, that’s been my style from the get-go. Can’t be too grounded but also can’t be too “Head in the clouds”.
[Tim] For me its Pantera, Metallica, Fear Factory Etc and all of the major heavy hitters that have popped up from the 90’s onwards. As a guitarist of course I love complex solo’s and raw shredding but I do have a soft spot for the mechanical sound that comes from industrial music too.
What first got you into music?
[Rob] Listening the albums like “Hellbilly Deluxe”, and “Obsolete” from the great Industrial / Modern Metal push of the early 2000’s I was just in awe by how cool these guys looked and how amazing this new sound was, I wanted in. So, I bought a Bass guitar and became a terrible bass player in an awful 3 piece which never went anywhere, but one day I got my hands on a mic and realised, “Hey, I can kind of make these same sounds these vocalists are making” and never looked back. The Microphone and the Pen became my weapons of choice and I have been writing music and singing for Sydney bands ever since.
[James] It was an overcast afternoon Mom had gone to church and dad was working, my older brother was next door playing Street Fighter 2 and Chris (My twin brother) and myself were eating corned beef hash with bread, we were watching the young ones. I think I was about six or seven at the time. Motor Head featured on the show playing ace of spades.
Old ballad songs on the radio is all my folks listened to at the time. Those old soppy songs that make you just wanna jump off a bridge. Doe eyed songs for a docile kid. I still remember the gravel of the guitars angle grinding its way into my eardrums. The energy and pure rebellious vibe, it’s more than just a song, It’s an attitude, a declaration of independence. I was hooked from that point onwards.
[Tim] As a kid I remember always just watching these amazing guitarists in Rock and Metal bands and knew from a young age that’s just what I wanted to be. I remember my first guitar still to this day (and wish I still had it). I played it every day of my entire teen years and once I finally felt I mastered it, the only thing left to do was find more people like me who also wanted to make terrible noise.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
[Rob] Jonathan Davis. He’s been a major influence for me learning vocal techniques and I would love to work with him on something. Everything he touches just comes out dark and creepy and I love it. I really think I’d spend more time star struck than working though but after hearing how well he worked in with so many vocalists, I’d just be honoured to see that man in action doing what he does.
[James] Karl Sanders, I love the way the albums tell a story. Saw them play live during the annihilation of the wicked tour. So good
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
[Rob] Wacken Open Air. Last year that line up was my actual Dream festival. And this year looks just as amazing. I want to see Shatterface in that long list of heavy metal, A big EU festival like this would just be a set of stories and memories to take with me to my old age that money couldn’t buy.
[James] Bloodstock UK.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
[Rob] Me personally I have a good one from before I was in Shatterface. Many years ago, at a small town pub, one of the punters after the show insisted he buy the bass-player and myself a drink. Of course, we inclined to take up this offer and had 2 or 3 rounds with the fellow who then left of his own accord and I thought nothing more of it, until we tried to leave and found that yes he had BROUGHT us some drinks, but had neglected to pay for them, and left us with a bill for what we had drank, and his own tab. To this day I think the bartender was not a fan of heavy metal and was in on it.
[James] A box of energy drinks that are banned in many countries “Detonate” I think it was called. No sleeping on that stuff I tell you what. 21 damn hours it took to come down.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
[Tim] Support local music guys, nothing more satisfying than watching a band grow from the beginning and 10 years later when people are drooling over them knowing “I’ve still got that guy’s phone number in my phone” and that you used to be drinking buddies. We are human and we need your support, we LOVE for your support. As entertainers we strive to entertain. We are here for you guys!
[James] Identify what you want your life to look like then set reasonable goals to achieve it. I play music, but you don’t have to. If I wasn’t doing this, I’d probably be just as happy building houses or nursing. And lastly, come to our shows.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
[Rob] Well if I can only pick one, I want to bring Wayne Static back. Edsel is doing awesome as Xero (or am I not supposed to say it is Edsel? OK it’s not Edsel) but there was only one true front man to Static-X and I think we missed out one some amazing industrial evil disco that nobody will ever be able to provide.
[James] Chuck. Would have been great to see where things could have gone with his other projects.
[Tim] Dimebag. Without even a second thought.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
[Rob] The music community is so like-minded, 2 guys wearing the same bands T-shirt are instantly friends for the night at a show. I love that. What do i Hate? Well maybe this is just the local scene, but I don’t like when someone wants to move with the times, with the modern tech available and to keep up and they are criticised for evolving. 40 years ago, when the pioneers were cranking their distortion way beyond what was ever heard before and rock was becoming metal the older crowd before them said the same things. Just let music Evolve. It’s meant to.
[James] I enjoy the music, creating something that inspires the next generation. And on the hate side, not enough time to explore. Play show back to hotel, play show back to hotel. Yuk.
[Tim] I love the creation process I have with the guys in Shatterface. We create a sound, add layers to it and when you listen it back think, I’d pay to see that, but then you realise it’s you. Writing music is great and writing music that is the same as the music you want to listen to is just the best.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
[Rob] The “Who you know not what you know” is just so strong in the industry. This leads to a lot of “vultures” who will go out chasing scraps working for free and devaluing the whole scene, and its so obvious what they are doing. I keep finding these amazing Indie Artists who are still Indie Artists simply because they didn’t drink a beer with the right person 5 years ago. And then I watch some bands which with all respect, are nothing new, nothing special, but carve up the fields with the backing of a contact who supports them unconditionally.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
[Rob] I have many, most from the early 2000s’ but let’s talk about Fear Factory – “Digimortal”. First time I heard this my level of metal was progressing from Limp Bizkit over to KoRn so hearing this was like a train crushing my poor little brain. I’d never even heard some of the effects used and it just blew my mind from start to finish. I think I still to this day know every word from front to back as I used to listen to this on repeat while studying the booklet and thinking, one day I’m going to do something like this.
[James] Too many, and Rob beat me to the punch with Fear Factory But one that sticks out would be Nailbomb. Proud to commit commercial suicide, It sounded raw, had mistakes and stuff but I didn’t care, I loved it.
[Tim] Pantera – “Great Southern Trendkill”, I love the experimental nature of it, and I kind of even love that a lot of people don’t love it. It is art that is misunderstood and is a great final stroke in the Post Cowboys from Hell chapter.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
[Rob] Well here’s where I’m going to have one of those unpopular opinions that I’m sure I will be defending at a later stage. I like Download. Now don’t get me wrong I get that some of the major streamers have pretty much funnelled ALL of the potential money straight to the top and away from the artists, and I do get the disconnection some older music fans will feel not having physical media to buy and hold. But think of it like this, If 20 years ago someone said that I would take my Nokia 3310 out of my pocket, (which had its leather protector case that was more to protect the tiled floor than the phone should it fall), point it at a white square and it would literally suck out of thin air an album and put it in my phone I would have laughed at you, but here we are. Given the digital themes of programming replacing humans and men moving over for machines that run rampant in Shatterface. I think any answer other than Digital would almost be hypocritical.
Oh, and I HAVE had the pleasure of untangling and forcefully removing a cassette that has spewed its guts through an entire brand-new car stereo before resulting in an entire disassembly to repair, so I have a particular dislike for that media. I’m glad cassettes are dead.
[James] CD’s, I’m a stickler for a tickler when it comes to CD’s. Got a big collection of old school death metal from the 90’s, anything that was on displeased records, Carnage, eternal solstice, alter. I was collecting them like mad at one point. I liked the eco vibe that 90’s European death metal had back then.
[Tim] Pass.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
[Rob] Had and amazing show at a Small Dive bar South of Sydney called Diamond Dogs, It was the first gig I had played in a long time so there was a lot of built up energy to pass on. Just the emotional journey from looking up about a narrow flight of stairs thinking how we will get all this gear up there to the pleasant surprise of a full high-tech PA and an actual DECENT tech to run it. Was just personally satisfying night.
[James] Mirkwood fest in Dubbo. Mad gig. Great time. Need more shows like that.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
[Rob] Demolition Derby driver maybe? Or operate a wrecking ball? Something with explosions, fire and loud noises for sure. If I can’t make noise with my music, I’ll do it with my hands and whatever tools at my disposal. I live to make noise, there has always something about it since I was kid, playing with fireworks and generally being a menace. I don’t mind doing it constructively and for a good purpose, but I’ll crawl in the ground willingly before I have to do it quietly.
[James] Nursing or community care, something along those lines.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
[James] Till Lindemann, Dino Cazares, Alice Cooper, Devin Townsend, Kerry King.
[Rob] And just bask in all the musical glory of the room while trying not to be star struck.
What’s next for the band?
[Rob] Very soon we will be releasing our first major EP, “Anodize” which we are really excited about and can’t wait to get that out there both in media and of course, live. We have been working on a impressive live act to go with the EP which will feature songs already released, the EP in full, and some new stuff that fans have yet to hear. This has been developed now for quite a while and we’re not sure how far it will take us, but we are about to unleash it and let it loose on the field.
[James] EP Is out now so time for the Live shows. Traveling the world and playing live.
[Tim] I want to see the world, and I want to world to hear me. Just looking forward to getting this music out to a wider audience and seeing where it grows and how far it takes us.
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ShatterfaceBand
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shatterfaceofficial
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@ShatterfaceOfficial
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/6bKbrKcq19OaWdFF2BW2Ja?si=hQmsL23zTbyn-Vh4sBl1tQ
Time for a very British question now. As an alternative to the humble sandwich, is the correct name for a round piece of bread common in the UK either a Bap, a Barm (or Barm Cake), a Batch, a Bun a Cob, a Muffin, a Roll or a Tea Cake?
[Tim] Let him have it James …
[James] Ah, the term “Boonnakkle”, now that takes me back! Legend has it that Sir Archibald Boonnakkle of Worcestershire, an eccentric British nobleman, once hosted a lavish garden party. When the baker accidentally mixed all his bread recipes together (a dash of bap, a sprinkle of barm, a touch of batch, a bit of bun, a chunk of cob, a morsel of muffin, a piece of roll, and a smidgen of tea cake), the resulting bread creation was unlike any other.
Sir Archibald, never one to let a good party go to waste, decided to serve this new bread creation to his guests. To his surprise, it was a hit! People couldn’t get enough of this unique round piece of bread. They kept asking, “Archie, old chap, what do you call this delightful bread concoction?” With his trademark flair for the dramatic, Sir Archibald responded, “Why, it’s a Boonnakkle, of course!” Named after his own family, the Boonnakkle became the talk of the town. But nay, they did not like the answer and a great war erupted. Flat breads, tea cakes, baguettes and bagels all brought to the sword as bread was cut down where it lay.
Years of butter soaked hatred would follow the stench of yeast in the air as bread was pounded into dust. Sadly, it never quite caught on in the wider UK due to its complicated recipe, but those in the know will always tip their hats to Sir Archibald’s unique contribution to British bread nomenclature.
And that, dear friend, is the horrifying and gruesome tale of how the UK got the name of prized bread product so wrong. The “Boonnakkle”! 😄
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
[Rob] We have just started this journey and admittingly in the form of Shatterface it really hasn’t been that long since we started this path, yet this is the most rewarding and most satisfying music has ever been for all of us. Being in media publications, releasing EP’s, Video clips, Interview after Interview. It’s actually been a blur since we started and I guess we just want to say thank you to everyone who pushed us in this direction and made us who we are today.
Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
