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PS-exclusive ‘The Haunted Hogsmeade Shop’

By
Unruly Folk
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Hogwarts Legacy Haunted Hogsmeade
(Source: PlayStation)

During Sony’s State of Play event, we got another look at the upcoming Harry Potter RPG ‘Hogwarts Legacy’. A first look at a PlayStation-exclusive quest called ‘The Haunted Hogsmeade Shop’ revealed the new gameplay footage and details.

This quest sounds like a blast, with a creepy basement, strange mannequins, and an extra dungeon to explore. Plus, there’s an in-game shop to buy a new cosmetic set for your character. Check out the trailer below for a first look at this exciting new quest!  

‘Hogwarts Legacy‘ is shaping up to bewitch the masses. We’re excited to see this darker, Souls-like spin on the world, and we can’t wait to get our hands on it. So, are you excited to play Hogwarts Legacy? 

Everything we know about Pikmin 4 so far

By
Unruly Folk
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Pikmin 4 Nintendo Switch
(Source: Nintendo)

After years of waiting, Nintendo finally announced during September’s Nintendo Direct Livestream that Pikmin 4 is in development and will be released sometime in 2023. Here’s everything we know about the new game so far.

According to Shigeru Miyamoto, Pikmin 4 was supposedly “close to completion” way back in 2015. However, details on the game have been few and far between since then. 

Nintendo Switch Pikmin 4
Pikmin 4 (Source: Nintendo)

What we know so far

We know that the game is currently being developed by Arzest, the studio behind Yoshi’s New Island.

We also know that Pikmin 4 will star Captain Olimar, the lovable spacefarer who crash-landed on Earth and befriended the Pikmin creatures during his adventure. Unfortunately, not much else is known about the plot of Pikmin 4. Still, we’re hoping it will clarify the cliffhanger ending of Pikmin 3. 

In terms of gameplay, we expect more of the same real-time strategy action that made previous Pikmin games excellent. Players will control a squad of up to 100 Pikmin as they explore their surroundings, battle foes, and solve puzzles. One new gameplay mechanic confirmed is the ability to directly control vehicles, which should make traversing each stage a bit easier. 

Visually, Pikmin 4 will look similar to previous games in the series but with an added layer of polish thanks to the power of the Nintendo Switch. The game will also feature a fully orchestrated score, which fans have been clamouring since the original Pikmin debuted in 2001. 

Pikmin 4 is shaping to be one of the most ambitious games in the series yet. With an improved visual style, total orchestral score, and innovative new gameplay mechanics, fans of the franchise have a lot to be excited about. We’ll keep you updated on all the latest news and information regarding Pikmin 4 as it becomes available.

The long-awaited Pikmin 4 announcement trailer for Nintendo Switch

You need to read ‘Something is Killing the Children’

By
Unruly Folk
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I admit I hesitated to pick up Something is Killing the Children by James Tynion. It sounded a bit dark for my taste with the title and premise – children are being murdered, lots of them, and it’s up to a young girl with a monster mask to stop the killings. However, after reading the first volume of the graphic novel, I was hooked. Something about Tynion’s writing sucks you in and refuses to let go. If you’re a fan of comic books, Something is Killing the Children is a must-read.

The story follows Erica Slaughter, a young, mysterious hunter, as she tries to uncover who or what is responsible for the murders of children in the small town of Archer’s Peak. Tynion does an excellent job of balancing the bleakness of the plot with moments of levity, which prevents the story from becoming too depressing.

The artwork by Werther Dell’Edera somehow manages to be gorgeous while depicting rather horrific scenes. Dell’Edera’s use of light and shadow gives the panels an ethereal quality that brings Tynion’s words to life and connects you to the characters.

Something is Killing the Children is ultimately a story about hope. Despite all the tragedy and death, Erica remains determined to uncover who is responsible for the brutal murders and make them pay. Her resolve is inspiring, and it’s easy to root for her as she takes on impossible odds.

So, if you’re looking for an excellent horror comic book series to get lost in, you can stop now. You’ve found it. The story is engaging, the artwork is beautiful, and it’s impossible to put down once you start reading. Trust me; you won’t be disappointed.

PlayStation State of Play: What you need to know

By
Unruly Folk
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Playstation State of Play Event

PlayStation fans rejoice! Sony has finally announced a new State of Play event, which promises to be a doozy. This latest event will feature PS4, PS5, and PSVR2 games and give fans a first look at some of the most highly anticipated titles. However, Sony stays in stealth mode on which games they’ll tease in the Livestream, so gamers must wait and see. In the meantime, here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming event.

When and Where to Watch

The PlayStation State of Play event will broadcast live today, September 13, at 3:00 pm Pacific Time / 6:00 pm Eastern Time / 11:00 pm BST. Tune in on Twitch and YouTube to stream it as it happens!

Although Sony hasn’t released specific details about which games it will feature, we know that 10 games will be showcased during the 20-minute event. Japanese developers are said to have some “great updates,” so we can probably expect to see some Final Fantasy 16 gameplay. However, it’s unclear whether or not any of the games shown will be first-party titles. Regardless, this will surely be an event that no gaming fan will want to miss!

So there you have it! Everything you need to know about the upcoming PlayStation State of Play event. We can’t wait to see what they have in store for us!

Sofia Coppola to direct Priscilla Presley biopic

By
Unruly Folk
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The Presleys

According to Deadline, sources confirm legendary filmmaker Sofia Coppola is to direct an upcoming biopic about the life of Priscilla Presley with the A24 Team. The film is titled “Priscilla” and will focus on Presley’s marriage to the King of Rock ‘n Roll, Elvis Presley, and her subsequent rise to prominence as a businesswoman and style icon.

Cailee Spaeny will play the starring role as Priscilla Presley, with Euphoria’s Jacob Elordi accompanying her as Elvis Presley.

This news is sure to excite fans of the Presley family and movie lovers alike. Coppola is no stranger to directing biopics, with the 2006 film “Marie Antoinette” starring Kirsten Dunst under her belt. Given her experience telling celebrity stories on the big screen, we can expect great things from this upcoming film.

Fans are already eager to see how Coppola will approach this project. Will she focus on Presley’s personal life or her professional achievements? Or perhaps emphasize the highs or lows of Presley’s storied career? Whatever direction she takes, we’re sure it will be fascinating.

Filming will begin in Toronto this autumn, using Priscilla’s memoir Elvis and Me as the blueprint. We can’t wait to see how it all plays out on the big screen.

Blue Origin first explosive rocket launch failure

By
Unruly Folk
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Blue Origin Rocket

Blue Origin, the space enterprise owned by Jeff Bezos, experienced its first explosive rocket launch failure on Monday. 

An escape system was activated, ejecting the crew capsule from the flaming booster. The capsule landed in the Texan desert, supported by three parachutes. The mission was crewless and contained dozens of experiments. 

In a statement, Blue Origin said the “capsule escape system functioned as designed.” So, despite this being an unfortunate turn of events, it is probably a relief for all upcoming space tourists to know their safety mechanisms are effective. 

What went wrong?

It is not yet known what caused the engine to fail. However, the company has said it will conduct a thorough investigation. In the meantime, it has grounded all future launches.

All in all, it was a pretty eventful day for Blue Origin. What started as a routine test launch ended with a fiery explosion and a parachute-assisted landing in the desert. Thankfully, no one was hurt, and all of the experiments on board were completed. Here’s hoping Blue Origin can figure out what went wrong and return to the stars soon.

Justin Pierre Motion City Soundtrack Interview

By
Dani Davies
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‘My Dinosaur Life’ feels far more rock-orientated than previous releases. What was the response to this?

Justin Pierre – I think the direction to “rock” more on My Dinosaur Life came as a direct result of “rocking” less on Even If It Kills Me. That was the only conscious decision we made going into writing this record. We wanted it to be more raw and less “produced” sounding. Don’t get me wrong, Mark produced the shit out of this record. I think the fans have been digging on it. I foresee more rocking and less production in our future. I’m not sure what that means, but it feels good to say.

It’s no secret that you’re a big fan of Blink-182. How does it feel to have toured and worked with them?

Justin Pierre – It’s been quite awesome to have played so many shows with them over this last decade. Mark has been a huge part of helping us make music over the years, both behind the scenes and in front of the scenes (is that a term?). I’m very nervous about being the opening act at Reading/Leeds. Luckily, the crowds will be forced to watch us. I just hope they don’t throw sharp objects. I saw that happen to Kelly Osbourne in England a few years ago. It wasn’t pretty, but she handled it like a champ.

If you’ve got any time before or after your Reading/Leeds set, who are you most looking forward to seeing?

Justin Pierre – If I have time and nobody kicks me out, I’d love to see Minus The Bear, The Joy Formidable, Weezer, Paramore & Blink-182. I am most excited for The Joy Formidable. They gave me hope that the future of music will be radical again. They also depress me because nothing I write will ever be that good. Bastardos!!!

Touring has been a huge part of your band, with you once reportedly playing 320 shows in one year. Absolutely wild. How on earth did you manage that?

Justin Pierre – For a while, we did it because that was the only way to make money, and none of us had lives. We’ve scaled it back a bit from what it used to be, but it’s the only thing we really know how to do (this is absolutely debatable, good people). We finally get to do a tour with Say Anything & Saves The Day in the States this fall, which we’ve been trying to do for years!

Do you have any pre-show rituals?

Justin Pierre – I can often be found only wearing a Batman cape while trying to hit members of the band with little balls of raw hamburger meat.

On that note, can we expect a UK tour in the near future?

Justin Pierre – Not a tour at the moment. But we are playing at the Underworld in Camden on the 26th. You should come.

No doubt. I’ll see you at the front.
We’d love to know more about the process for your ‘Give A Little Help’ campaign.

Justin Pierre – That song is about needing help. We put a delicious spin on it and came up with a way to get people motivated to embark on creating some kind of positive change in the universe. We wanted to throw some money at people who were creative and wanted to help others. By having the people in our little community vote on their favourite ideas, it allows for a general consensus to be taken of what said people are getting behind. It’s simply a fun way to do good in the world and get others excited about doing good for good’s sake and nothing more.

You’ve been through a lot together as a band, with changes in the line-up and labels. That can’t have been easy.

Justin Pierre – Nothing is easy. Unless, of course, you are Lionel Richie, in which case Sunday morning is just that. Easy. But I digress… I think we tend to just do and not think about much else. We try to keep moving forward, whatever that may mean.

Do you get to spend a lot of time with fans? How do you go about it?

Justin Pierre – No. I tend to lose my voice easily. I can’t shut up. So I try to mingle after a show for a bit, but it’s strange when I nod and smile but don’t speak. Kids tend to hate that. But it’s the only way I cannot lose my voice for the rest of the tour.

What has been your most bizarre fan experience?

Justin Pierre – I once received a peg leg from a woman named Nancy Klondike, who lived in Shoulderblade, Kentucky. She claimed it was a gift from the ‘real’ Spaghetti Jesus. She was a ridiculous woman. She could whistle any tune by Herb Albert. I wonder what ever became of her.

What is your favourite way to waste time on your tour bus?

Justin Pierre – I like to watch movies, read, and eat on the bus. Sometimes, I even urinate if the feeling strikes me.

What has been your proudest moment as a band?

Justin Pierre – For me, it was playing First Avenue in Minneapolis, the city where I live. I used to be frequent at the club as a teenager to see all my favourite bands growing up. It was pretty surreal to play on the same stage as Fugazi, Superchunk, Jawbox, The Flaming Lips, Smashing Pumpkins, The Boo Radleys, The Jesus & Mary Chain, etc…

What’s next?

Justin Pierre – I’d like to become a fully functioning human being whose first response in any given situation is to love instead of hate. But I’ve got a handful of work to do in that particular department.

Q+A with Billy Grey of Fozzy 2011

By
Lara Joseph
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Most people know Fozzy as the band fronted by WWE Superstar Chris Jericho, but they have come a long way since those days and are now an accomplished metal band with four albums under their belt and a diehard fan base. Chris Jericho is joined by guitarists Billy Grey and Rich Ward, drummer Frank Fontsere and bassist Sean Delson. Rich and Frank are probably best known for being in the band Stuck Mojo.

Guitarist Billy Grey was kind enough to answer some questions for us before hitting the stage for Fozzy’s last show of the UK/European tour.

You’re relatively new to Fozzy. How did your joining the band come about?

Billy Grey – Rich and I have known each other since high school. I have been an on-and-off touring member since 2001.

How do you split your time between Fozzy and Dangerous New Machine? Do you prefer playing with one band over the other?

Billy Grey – It just works out, and I love playing with both bands.

What’s your favourite song to play live?

Billy Grey – ‘Pray for Blood’ and ‘Enemy’

If you had to choose one Fozzy song to introduce a stranger to the band and most sums up what Fozzy is, which song would that be?

Billy Grey – ‘Enemy’

Was there a moment for the band where music fans started to recognise you as Fozzy rather than just Chris Jericho’s band?

Billy Grey – Yes, lately, over the past year. It has become more about the band, with Jericho as the frontman.

Do you have a stand-out moment from being on tour?

Billy Grey – Playing Sonisphere

Are there any plans to release a live DVD?

Billy Grey – Yes, very soon.

What was the idea behind the awesome VIP opportunities you give to fans?

Billy Grey – We just wanted to get to meet some of our fans, sit down and have dinner with them, and put on an awesome rock show for them.

Do you prefer playing the smaller shows like Dingwalls tonight or the festivals like Sonisphere?

Billy Grey – I like both. Small, intimate shows are fun to play, but it’s always fun to play in front of thousands.

Out of all the countries you toured, do you have a favourite and why?

Billy Grey – So far, the UK fans have been extremely supportive.

If you could tour with any band, who would it be and why?

Billy Grey – Iron Maiden, just to be able to get to know and learn from an iconic metal band every night.

If you could only watch one movie, listen to one album and read one book for the rest of your life, what would they be?

Billy Grey – Talladega Nights, Avenged Sevenfold’s ‘City of Evil’ and The Bible

Who are your biggest inspirations, musically or otherwise?

Billy Grey – Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, Dimebag Darryl, Tom Morello, Lindsay Buckingham, Paul Tuetel Sr. (from American Choppers)

Have you ever met one of your heroes?

Billy Grey – I got to meet David Coverdale, and it was awesome – a pleasure. He was definitely a hero of mine.

Who’s on your iPod at the moment?

Billy Grey – Bullet for My Valentine, Eminem, Jay-Z and Paramore

You’ve obviously come to the end of a very successful tour. What’s next for Fozzy?

Billy Grey – Canadian Tour in October, back to UK and Europe in November and a new record for the new year.

Shaun Morgan of Seether Interview

By
Dani Davies
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Welcome to a backstage pass into the world of Shaun Morgan, the powerhouse behind Seether. Originally from South Africa, Shaun’s journey through the world of rock has been nothing short of inspiring. In this exclusive interview recovered from our 2011 archive, harking back to our days as Resonance, we take a nostalgic journey to our humble beginnings. Join us as we venture beyond the rockstar facade, exploring everything from tour adventures to inspirations and even indulging in some guilty pleasures.

How are you, Shaun? 

Shaun Morgan – I am very well, thank you.

You’re out on a massive tour with 3 Doors Down. How has that gone so far?

Shaun Morgan – The tour has been great. We’ve been playing some big rooms, with some very good friends of ours so we don’t really have much to complain about. We’ve been to some new countries on this tour, too, so hopefully, we’ve started the ball rolling on building our fan base in Europe. We’re already looking at booking a headlining tour of Europe in October and November of this year.

Do you have a particular country or city you’re most looking forward to playing?

Shaun Morgan – We really don’t have many preferences, but we have seen some great shows on this tour so far. My favourites have been Melbourne, Moscow, Amsterdam and Graz. Usually, we have a great time in Paris too, so we’re psyched for that, and of course, we have some great fans in the UK, so we’re looking forward to that as well.

We’ll be at your Bristol show, which will be our first time seeing you live. What can we expect?

Shaun Morgan – We’re just a simple rock band. We get up and make noise and play songs that we love. I think we play with a lot of passion and energy, so hopefully, that translates into an entertaining show for the audience. It’s all about having a good time and possibly drinking a little bit too much.

We’re very excited about your upcoming release, Holding Onto Strings Better Left To Fray, which is set for release on March 5th in the UK. How was the recording process for that? Was it much different from usual?

Shaun Morgan – We recorded the album in 4 different segments, starting in February of 2010 and ending in late August 2010. Basically, we walked in with a batch of songs and picked the 4 or 5 best ones and recorded those, and then we would scrap the rest and write new songs for the next batch to keep raising the bar. Usually, on prior albums, we would have walked in with all the songs written and chosen the best 15. I prefer the way we worked this time because it became a challenge we set for ourselves. Brendan O’Brien produced the album, and I think he was an absolute godsend. He helped us make the best album we could without trying to turn us into something that we weren’t. He really inspired us to write better and smarter music, and I think it makes for a far more interesting-sounding album.

Did you have a theme or ideas of what you wanted to do beforehand, or did it all unravel once you started writing?

Shaun Morgan – There is never a theme or an idea. In fact, we have no idea what any album is going to sound like until we start writing music. It ebbs and flows, and ultimately, a subconscious theme will start presenting itself, and we allow it to happen. It’s an interesting experiment to uncover what is hidden in our minds and what is really sitting just beneath the surface. Sometimes I go back and read lyrics I’ve written and find the hidden meanings that I had no idea were there, which can be quite a trip. It’s best just to lose yourself in the writing process and worry about where it’s all leading at some later point.

What is your favourite track on the album?

Shaun Morgan – I’m partial to Roses and Forsaken right now. Those 2 songs have a sense of drama about them that I really love. They are the tracks that I am most proud of on the album, and I love that they’re a little different from what we usually write.

You can really hear who you’ve been influenced by in your music regardless of how much your work evolves, and we know you’re a big fan of the grunge scene (i.e. Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains), but what do you feel you’ve taken most from each band (or artist)? 

Shaun Morgan – I think I have taken the attitude from bands like Pearl Jam and Nirvana because they inspired me as a kid. I loved the anger and the emotion in the songs – the lyrics were so deeply personal. Those bands were all really melodic, too, and that’s important when I write songs. There needs to be something that sticks in your mind, and that’s a key element in all the songs I write. Sometimes I get it, and sometimes I fail, but that is the goal. I loved the intense intimacy of Alice in Chains, as far as the lyrics are concerned, and I loved the heaviness and sludginess of Soundgarden. Basically, there was an honesty and vulnerability that all those bands had that I identified with, so it has always been the way I write.

Do you get a lot of time to spend with fans?

Shaun Morgan – I spend as much time as I can. It can be overwhelming sometimes – people have such touching stories, and I find myself to be a very empathetic and sympathetic person, so they affect me quite profoundly at times. People who listen to our music and come to the shows and buy the merch – those are the people who keep this band alive, so I have incredible love for them. I will always do my best to accommodate fans and give something back.

What has been your most awkward fan encounter?

Shaun Morgan – I’m always awkward, so they all are. I’m not a very social person, and I can be painfully introverted. It’s actually quite stressful for me to get on stage and play, which I have been battling my whole life. I guess it all falls under the low self-esteem category. I feel awkward in so many social situations that it’s ridiculous. I guess I should thank all the fans for dealing with me being awkward, huh?

No, thank you! I’m the same way. The fact that you manage to battle through it and do what you do is pretty damn amazing. 
What are your guilty pleasures?

Shaun Morgan – Cigarettes. I know I should quit, but I just can’t give the little fuckers up quite yet. Good red wine is another. I can drink 2 bottles easily.

And the most embarrassing thing on your MP3 player?

Shaun Morgan – Kelly Clarkson. I really can’t even defend that, but there are some great songs in her catalogue. Great pop music.

Do you have any must-have items on your rider?

Shaun Morgan – Vodka. Soda. Limes.

What home comforts do you miss when you’re out on the road?

Shaun Morgan – I miss everything about home. My little family. My house. My car. Clean toilets. Hot showers. Comfortable bed. Sex. Cooking. Cocktails on the deck at sunset. I have a very quiet life at home, and I really like how it is the exact opposite of touring.

Who has the worst tour bus habits?

Shaun Morgan – Probably me. I tend to let personal hygiene slip when I’m touring. It’s not intentional, but you have to be pretty anal to get a shower in every night after the show, and quite honestly, there aren’t always the facilities. In fact, I think that’s probably a bad habit all touring guys fall into. There is always something more interesting to do than shower after a show.

What would be your ideal piece of kit?

Shaun Morgan – Comfortable jeans. They become your best friends. A good pair of Converse hi-tops is essential, too.

If you could only watch one movie, listen to one album and read one book for the rest of your life, what would they be? You know, like if you were on a desert island.

Shaun Morgan – The movie would be Snatch. The album would be Brand New – Daisy. The book would be a dictionary so that I could at least learn new words whilst I’m in exile.

Do you know if you’ll be making an appearance at a festival or two this year?

Shaun Morgan – There may be plans in the pipeline. I know we are scheduled for at least three festivals in July, so you’ll have to check our website for details, I guess.

What would you change about the music industry if you could?

Shaun Morgan – That’s a very long list. How about I just give you the one at the top of my list? I would restructure the profit versus risk margin that record companies operate under. Bands wouldn’t be making 13 to 18 cents per dollar for the songs they wrote and tour their lives on. Record companies wouldn’t be able to make the bands feel like they owe the industry something. For fuck sake – without the music, there would be NO record companies, so the power needs to shift back towards the musicians who keep the companies in business. I could rant all day, so I’m going to stop there.

If you had the chance to take the band back to any year and in any city in the world where would you want to be transported?

Shaun Morgan – I’d go back to the 60′s. I’d love to be able to see The Beatles on tour or party with the Rolling Stones. That was a great time in music, and I think I would have been more comfortable then.

Shaun, thank you for chatting with us. It has been a pleasure. We look forward to seeing you at the next show! 

Shaun Morgan – Thank you, you too. See you there.

An Interview with Rival Sons

By
Lara Joseph
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Formed in June 2008, Rival Sons have hit the worldwide music scene with a speedy yet calculated frenzy. This heavyweight quartet of rockers meld an eclectic array of American music to synthesize the lording posture of sound that is Rival Sons: Pure, unadulterated Rock and Roll.

The band played a sold-out show at London’s O2 Academy in Islington on 10th November as part of their UK/European tour. I had the pleasure of catching up with Jay Buchanan (vocals) and Michael Miley (drums) before the show. Scott Holiday (guitar) joined us partway through. My interview partner was Lisa Mckeown, one of the owners of the official Rival Sons fan site.

OK, I’ll start with one of my favourites, mainly ‘cos I’m nosey! If you could only watch one movie, listen to one album and read one book for the rest of your life, what would they be? You know, like if you were on a desert island.

Miley – Can I have the Beatles Anthology?

Sure!

Miley – OK, I’d have that, Braveheart and probably The Bible.

Jay – If we’re on a desert island, I would go with a book that tells me how the fuck to get off a desert island, some kind of self-help CD about how to survive on a desert island and a video instruction about how to leave. You know, like how to build a boat and stuff.

Are you going to be doing any festivals in 2012 after the success of the 2011 festivals?

Jay – Yeah, we did a shitload this year. We did Sonisphere and High Voltage as far as UK festivals go. We’re shaped up to do Download next year and, hopefully, a whole bunch of others on the circuit.

You have to do Isle of Wight.

Miley – Isle of Wight is like a dream for us, but we’re hoping to do a load more.

Your sound is so immersed in the magic of the great British rock of the ’70s, so does it make you especially happy that you’ve already got a strong following here in Britain? And where does this obvious love and sound of “retro” rock come from?

Both – Of course, it does. We love the UK fans, being here and playing here.

Jay – In the mid-70s, rock and roll started imploding on itself under its self-gratification and image, and all that stuff and music started taking a back seat. So then the music got shitty because they took the blues out of it and made this thing called “rock”, you know, “rock star”. But we play rock ‘n roll. We don’t play rock! So I think that when people see us, they go ‘oh, retro this, retro that’, but we’re actually just playing rock ‘n roll. It’s not about a time period.

What would you change about the music industry if you could?

Jay – Bring the money back. I wish people bought records still and didn’t illegally download stuff, but what are you gonna do? That’s the way it is. If someone has the option to get something for free, then they’re going to do that.  What do you think, Miley?

Miley – Yeah, bands in our position 20 years ago would not be struggling to pay their rent. It’s not a big selling point, as a single guy, to be broke. But then again, if I was in a relationship or married, it would suck to have to explain .. ‘er, honey, I can’t afford to pay the rent’ *laughs* .. so it sucks both ways. Now you have to earn it, and it’s kind of better that way.

Was it like that years ago?

Miley – No, it was always big advances back then.

Jay – Yeah, you would get a big advance. For example, we’re out here on this UK/European tour on our own dime. Our plane tickets, our hotels, everything. It’s all on our own dime because it’s our business, you know, this is our business model – Rival Sons – so we have to be grownups. We’re the parents here, and we have to keep charge of everything, and no matter what label we’re on or how the record industry is, we have to be held accountable.

So, how did you end up with Earache, given that they’re mainly very hard rock/thrash?

Jay – They approached us, and at first we were like, ‘what?!’, but they were so cool, and they had a good business model, you know? They gave us a deal that really synched up with what we were looking for because we weren’t specifically looking at record deals. We were going to self-release, but they had what we wanted.

Where do you see yourselves next year?

Miley – Next November? Getting ready for the end of the world.

Jay – We’ll probably be touring! It’s a pretty good guess that we’ll be on the road.

Miley – Sitting here with you guys doing another interview backstage at Wembley Stadium. That would be nice.

That would be amazing, but for fans who have been with you since the beginning, it’s a double-edged sword. On the one hand, we want that huge success for you, but on the other hand, we don’t want to have to share you with 75,000 other people at Wembley Stadium.

Miley – It was exactly like that for me with Jane’s Addiction. What I did was start sharing them with everybody in my high school, and then all of a sudden, they blew up on the second record, ‘Nothing’s Shocking’, and then within 3 days, Perry Farrell had Lollapalooza, and I was like, wow! Then, within 3 or 4 years, they were mega.

Yeah. I think the key with that, and I could be wrong, but it strikes me as though you guys wouldn’t be like that, is to still stay true to yourself and humble and interact with your fans regardless of whether you’re playing a venue like this one or somewhere with an 80,000 capacity. That’s what sets different bands apart. Some will play those huge venues and just have no time for their fans, whereas other bands still do even if they’re huge.

Miley – Well, that’s hard.

Jay – Yeah, here’s the thing. The way that works is that we have a lot of friends that are way up there and in those bands; they’re always on the radio and have world domination all the time. For them, it really is fucking hard. You don’t have time. You know, even at this level, we get up in the morning, and it’s go over here to this radio station after being up so late the night before. Wake up in the morning, pack our stuff, shower, go to the radio station, go to this other radio station, take a cab, sound check, press, you know what I mean? So even at this level, it’s kinda like, ‘Whoa, man. I can’t wait to go to bed tonight and get some rest’. But we’re so incredibly fortunate, so what you gonna do? Complain about it? Because what’s there to complain about? We’re doing well. But then people way up there who are doing really, really well, they get run ragged and are very, very busy.

When you’re playing live, do you ever stop for a split second, look at the other members of the band and think fuck, you’re good! Or are you too focused on your own part to even think about it?

Jay – Nope

Scott – I don’t know about you guys, but we’re doing our job, and it’s like keep your ears on to stay connected.

If money was no object, and you could choose anyone, either living or dead, to jam with, who would it be?

Scott – Jimi Hendrix

Jay – I miss my family, so I’d wanna jam with my pop. He’s awesome

Miley – Who would I jam with? Like in a band? Miles Davis, Lady GaGa and The Who

If you had to choose one of your songs to introduce you to a stranger who’d never heard of you and that you think most sums up Rival Sons, what would you choose?

Miley – I’d go with ‘Tell Me Something’, track one, side one from the first album.

Scott – Off ‘Pressure & Time’ I might say ‘Face of Light’ as that’s my favourite song. It shows our quieter, softer side, and then it builds up to a climax, and the climax is kinda emotional.

Miley, talk to us about your tattoos

Miley – Sure. This one is an owl. I got it in January.

What made you get an owl?

Miley – Well, I just started getting into Harry Potter.

Rock ‘n’ roll!!

Miley – It is! You know what? I believe in balance. I’m so extreme when I am out here on the road, so when I come home, I’m like doing yoga, juicing and barefoot running on the beach. I just want rock and roll to get away. Maybe so when I come back, I am fresh, you know? I mean, I live in Hollywood, but I’m not at the clubs every night or trying to fuck chicks and all this stuff or drink – probably because I don’t have any money. Maybe if I had money, I’d be out doing blow and fucking chicks every night *laughs*. Anyway, I got sick, and this girl who I was kinda seeing at the time came over and made me soup, and she brought the box set of Harry Potter. I’d never seen it or knew anything about it, and so we watched Disc 1, and I was fucking hooked. I just thought it was the coolest story. It’s so not rock and roll it’s unfunny, but the owl came from that.

Scott – People who say they don’t like Harry Potter are like people who say they don’t like Lord of the Rings .. Fucking liars!

OK, a back to the future question for you.

Miley – I love ‘Back to the Future’!

If you had the chance to take the band back to any year and in any city in the world where would you want to be transported?

Scott – Oh wait, I thought it was literally about ‘Back to the Future.’

Jay– Aw, I thought we were going to be talking about Marty McFly!

Miley – Paris, 1920

Why’s that?

Miley – *laughs* I dunno. Just sounded fucking good

Jay – The dawn of existence. I want to see how it all went down, like the big bang. Watch everything come together.

Scott – London 1966 (in his best British accent). Nah, London ’64. It seems a little cheap cos Jay’s going all Genesis, but, honestly, like the life I’m living here .. that would be a like ‘YEAH, FUCK YEAH, THIS IS IT’ *laughs*

Miley – I’d like to see The Who/The High Numbers at The Marquee Club. Keith Moon is my favourite drummer when it comes to rock ‘n roll.

Scott – Have a cup of tea with George Harrison (dons the British accent again)

Thanks so much for hanging out with us guys. Good luck tonight, and have an amazing show.

All – No worries, thank you!

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