Riffing With Christina

Killswitch Engage singer Jesse Leach riffs on life, love, psychedelic Slayer covers and the punk rock, hardcore, 80s metal and goth bands that gave birth to the band, mental health awareness, Wayne's World and more whilst in Sydney for the 15th anniversary tour of the band's landmark record, "Alive or Just Breathing."

Iconic bassist and thrash legend Danny Lilker of Nuclear Assault chats to Christina Rowatt about his myriad of bands past and present, the origins of thrash, funny black metal tales, the story behind his tattoos and lots more. 

In this interview with Ne Obliviscaris singer and lyricist Xen Oyr, he discusses his creative process, the band's next album, his new orchestral black metal side project with musicians from all over the world, writing lyrics for Tim vs. himself, how his music career started, and more. 

John Dyer Baizley of Baroness chats to Christina Rowatt about the Purple record, pedestal guitar players like "open heart" John Frusciante, listening to a new album every day, his artwork and the difference between artists and designers, his melodic origins, Grammy Awards and punk rock and Bad Brains being nominated for the Rock Hall of Fame, musical reference points with no connectivity, discovering the innate joy of playing through tragedy, bummer music vs. good time records and more.

In this special flashback, GWAR legend Dave "Oderus Urungus" Brockie talks about revolution, punk rock, making art, Hendrix, Metallica, Antarctica and much more. You may know him as a talented space lizard from another planet, but beneath the costume beats the heart of a DC hardcore-loving teenager who saw Minor Threat and was changed forever. This double feature took place a few months before we lost this icon of heavy metal and modern rock and roll performance art. May his hilarious, hyper-intelligent ways and his epic back catalogue of music live forever.

Refused singer Dennis Lyxzén talks about their resurrection, music as a revolution of worlds rather than the world, and how punk rock and No Wave can make alienation beautiful and savage and a shared experience when you're growing up in northern Sweden. They return to Australia this January.

Karina Utomo of Melbourne heavy band High Tension talks about the creative process behind their killer video "Bully", touring with King Parrot, learning to play music, discovering punk rock, the transformative impact of Canberra hardcore that transcends the language barrier, their third album, the warfare of being a woman, becoming stronger together, and lots more.

In this special flashback Baroness chat about their beginnings, the depth and intricacy of their art and music, their greatest challenges and transformative experiences and lots more. 

Testament guitar legend Alex Skolnick chats about the band's new record, the history of thrash in the Bay Area, heroes, switching gears musically and much more. 

Now based in Germany, Australian-born singer and songwriter Nick Gibbs shares his story of discovering music, soul, singing, finding a voice as an artist, his transition from dance to creating songs as well as his experiences living as an expatriate Aussie musician and singing teacher in Germany. He also riffs on the meaning of the universe, random 90s hip hop, love, friendship, what really matters and more.

Tomas Lindberg, vocalist from cult Swedish melodic death metal band At The Gates, discusses the story behind their latest album At War With Reality, crafting existential ideas into extreme metal, evolution, making Slaughter of the Soul (their classic slice of malevolence), their twelve year hiatus, the early Gothenburg scene and more.

In the first half of this flashback episode, Alice in Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell and Guns 'n' Roses bassist Duff McKagan reflect on the AIC story, their history together and the Seattle sound. In the second half, I chat to Duff McKagan about his first show, falling in love, making Appetite and more.

In the first part of this podcast, Steel Panther drummer Stix chats about their new album, pop star super freaks and how he'd go out in a blaze of glory. The second half features a compilation of the most ridiculous interview moments from all my Steel Panther interviews over the years where the band riff on David Lee Roth, Tommy Lee, Vinnie Paul, whether it is easier to make a housewife a ho or a ho a housewife and lots more. 

Matt Young, frontman of one of Australia's most successful heavy metal bands King Parrot talks to Christina about their European tour with Soulfly, his journey from bass to vocals, writing new material, the six gigs that changed his life and lots more. 

Skarlett Saramore, the Sydney-based drummer of all-girl band Rackett chats to Christina about her new band, women in Australian rock and roll, dark forces at play, using music to raise levels of mental health awareness and lots more.

New Zealand's sludge metal legends Beastwars talk to Christina about their new album, partying until you puke, why heavy metal is the new jazz, The majesty of the Melvins and the Butthole Surfers, moments of alchemy, their killer Witches video, life after death and lots more.

James Young created an icon of Melbourne rock and roll when he took over Cherry Bar, a dive bar beloved the world over for its spectacular selection of rock and roll and excellent vibes. Cherry Bar also hosts Cherry Rock, an annual laneway festival that treats Melbourne to some killer bands. Meet the man who made Cherry Bar so special. 

Iconic rock musician Cherie Currie (The Runaways) chats to Christina about her first ever Australian tour, David Bowie, her new album, making peace and music with Kim Fowley and more. 

Matt Pike of Sleep and High on Fire reflects on emulating his favourite guitar players on High On Fire's new record, jamming and touring with a reunited Sleep, recording sober for the first time, growing up with Eyehategod, his thoughts on Corrosion of Conformity and lots more in this relaxed, conversational interview.