Tour Interviews

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Interview with Whit Crane

STM’s Cassandra spoke recently to the brainchild behind ORCHESTRA OF DOOM, none other than Ugly Kid Joe frontman, life-long Sabbath connoisseur and multi-platinum recording artist Whitfield Crane.

You can hear the full audio here: 

When the finest modern-day musical genre unites with the world’s most refined and revered stylistic approach to music, it is inevitable that the outcome will be nothing short of stunning.

Ladies and gentlemen, if you will, imagine a scenario whereby the music of Black Sabbath – the originators of the entire heavy metal genre – has been turned on its head and lovingly reimagined with a full classical orchestra.

ORCHESTRA OF DOOM is the most magical, spellbinding performance you will ever hear. Never before have heavy metal songs been performed by an orchestra without any sign or use of electric amps and speakers present on a stage. This is a world premiere event.

The brainchild behind this unique symphonic expression is Ugly Kid Joe front man, life-long Sabbath connoisseur and multi-platinum recording artist Whitfield Crane.

After a European tour, Crane made himself at home in Verona, Italy – the birthplace of classical music and opera, and during that time the vocalist made his dream of marrying these two genres a reality.

The end result was a sold-out performance with Whit fronting the Machiavelli Orchestra performing a show comprising of Sabbath classics, choice cuts from Ozzy Osbourne’s solo career, and the prime movers from Whit’s own 30-year catalogue.

The music was all scored by fast-rising Italian conductor Andrea Basstoni – whose performance credits have led him to be one of the world’s most-sought after young conductors in modern classical music.

Now, with the assistance of good friend and co-producer Australian Tennis legend Pat Cash, ORCHESTRA OF DOOM arrives in Australia and will see Whit perform with the Philarmonia Australia Orchestra.

And Whit cannot wait for the next instalment of this journey: “Orchestra Of Doom is all analogue, all flow and poetry in motion. We don’t have Marshall stacks, just a 35-piece orchestra and something beautiful flowing through us all; this is a special thing with a life of its own. How does it feel to be playing with an orchestra? It feels terrifying, but the energy and excitement makes everyone feel alive and at its heart is Black Sabbath – it’s the perfect storm!”

Get ready to climb onboard this orchestral crazy train!

Tickets ON SALE now

 TICKETMASTER – Melbourne

3RD December MELBOUNRE Palais Theatre

TICKETEK – Sydney

7TH December SYDNEY Darling Harbour Theatre 

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[SUPANOVA COMIC-CON] Interview with Eric Stuart

STM’s Sarah Minazzo had a great chat with Eric Stuart ( ahead of SUPANOVA Comic-Con and Gaming coming up fast in Sydney and Perth

Brooklyn born and raised singer/songwriter Eric Stuart is a special blend of talent. He has successfully combined the world of music, voice acting and directing for many years. Besides starring in hit shows, including Pokémon (Brock, James) and Yu-Gi-Oh! (Seto Kaiba), Eric has toured with such rock legends as Peter Frampton, Ringo Starr, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jethro Tull, Chicago, Hall & Oates, Dave Mason, Julian Cope, Dave Davies, The Alarm, John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band, and Jeffrey Gaines.

The Eric Stuart Band released their sixth album, Lipstick and Barbed Wire, in June 2013, featuring Grammy winning guitarist Peter Frampton. In April 2015 they released a 4-song EP titled Character.

In the summer of 1997, Eric’s classic rock and roll style was noticed by RingoStarr who invited him to open the Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band tour, featuring Peter Frampton, Jack Bruce (Cream), Gary Brooker (Procol Harum) and Simon Kirke (Bad Company). That exposure served as a springboard for Eric to open for the Lynyrd Skynyrd, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Paul Rodgers tour that same summer. Since then, Eric Stuart has been touring on a regular basis, including two U.S. tours with Peter Frampton. In 2000, Frampton produced Eric’s next album, Blue, Dressed In Black, along with John Regan and Harvey Jay Goldberg.

Now living in Nashville, Eric’s songwriting talents have given him the opportunity to begin co-writing with some of Nashville’s finest songwriters. The band’s great live show of all original, guitar-driven rock/pop has made the Eric Stuart Band a must-see in the area.

Other projects in Eric’s impressive career are Viva Pinata, Ultimate Muscle, Dinosaur King, Kirby, Slayers, Chaotic, Sonic X, TMNT, GoGoRiki, One Piece, F-Zero, Magical DoReMi, Fighting Foodons, Shaman King, Descendants Of Darkness, Labyrinth Of Flames, Valkyrie Profile, Tama And Friends, and voicing many national radio and TV commercials and audiobook narrations.

Animation, Gaming Legends & More Join Supanova’s June Lineup for Sydney and Perth

An animation and gaming overload is heading for Supanova Comic Con & Gaming’s Sydney (21–23 June) and Perth (29–30 June) events, with the latest Supa-Star guest announcements boasting talent from Overwatch, Dragon Ball Z, Metal Gear Solid and so much more.

Best known as Overwatch video game hero Genji, Japanese-born Gaku Space will visit both cities next month, while Dragon Ball Super: Broly legends Chris Sabat and Sean Schemmel, aka Vegeta and Goku, and will make a special appearance in Sydney, thanks to Madman.

Metal Gear Solid voice actors Paul Eiding (Colonel Roy Campbell) and David Hayter (Solid Snake) will appear at both shows, courtesy of Armoured Heaven, with both talents sharing a jaw-dropping list of credit 

The screenwriter of X-Men (2000), X-Men 2 (2003), and Watchmen (2009), Hayter has recently featured as King Shark on The Flash and Supergirl, while Eiding has secured himself the title of ‘pop culture icon’ through his roles as Perceptor from the original Transformer series and film, alongside credits in Diablo, Ben 10 and more.

After winning over crowds at Supanova earlier this year, the stars of Mad Max will return with Steve Bisley (Max’s right-hand man, Goose) and Hugh Keays-Byrne (original villain Toecutter AND Immortan Joe in Mad Max: Fury Road) signing on for both shows and joined by co-star Paul Johnstone (Cundalini) in Sydney.

Turning a page to the literary side of things, recent Aurealis Award-winning authors Lynette Noni (The Medoran Chronicles, Whisper series) and Maria Lewis (The Witch Who Courted Death, It Came From The Deep, Who’s Afraid?) have been announced, while comic book lovers are treated to Simon Bisley (Lobo, Batman/Judge Dredd, ABC Warriors), Jeff Weigel (The Phantom, The Sphinx, Dragon Girl: The Secret Valley), Donny Cates (Venom, Thanos, Doctor Strange), Humberto Ramos (Amazing Spider-Man, Superior Spider-Man, Champions) and Megan Hutchison (Rockstars, Will O’ the Wisp, Vesna).

Unfortunately, due to other commitments, Alan Tudyk, Tom Welling, Michael Rosenbaum and Vanessa Marshall have had to cancel their scheduled appearances in Sydney and Perth.

Supanova is a celebration of fandom, where the worlds of film and television, fantasy, comic books, anime, sci-fi, cartoons, books, gaming and collectables comes to life! There’s something for everyone, including ‘cosplay’ (costume-role play), fan clubs, musical performances, creative master classes, celebrity Q&As, wrestling, tournaments, competitions and an expo full of shopping possibilities.

Other guests scheduled to attend include:

Stephen Amell (Arrow, Legends of Tomorrow, TMNT: Out of the Shadows)

Robbie Amell (The Flash, The Tomorrow People)

David Ramsey (Arrow, The Flash, Dexter)

Barbara Eden (I Dream of Jeannie)

Barbara Feldon (Get Smart)

Dawn Wells (Gilligan’s Island)

Italia Ricci (Supergirl, Designated Survivor)

Dan Green (Yu-Gi-Oh!, Sonic)

Eric Stuart (Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!)

Shannon McCormick (Red vs. Blue, RWBY)

Bryce Papenbrook (Attack on Titan)

 

SUPANOVA BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Supanova Comic Con & Gaming began in Sydney in 2002 as a completely home-grown Australian production showcasing sci-fi, fantasy, comic books, gaming, anime, manga, cosplay and much more. The brainchild of Founder & Event Director, Daniel Zachariou, Supanova is run by diverse and passionate individuals drawn from their respective genre fields of obsession thus making them the perfect team to deliver these events. Supanova takes place in six cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and the Gold Coast), and is Australia’s leading and largest event of its kind with close to 200,000 fans expected to attend the Supanova events in 2019. 

Supanova is a celebration of pop culture created by the Supanova family, for your family, to “bring out the inner geek” in fans of all ages.  

SUPANOVA DATES: 

Sydney: June 21-23, 2019 | Sydney Showground, Olympic Park

Perth: June 29-30, 2019 | Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre  

TICKETS: On sale now through Moshtix.

SUPANOVA WEB PRESENCE:

http://www.supanova.com.au 

http://www.facebook.com/supanovaexpo   

http://twitter.com/supanovaexpo

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Interview with Em Rusciano

Rohan recently had a great chat with Em Rusciano about everything regarding her new show RAGE & RAINBOWS.

You can hear the full audio here: 

The phenomenal Em Rusciano has just had two shows added to The Rage & Rainbows Tour, with her Sydney State Theatre and Melbourne Hamer Hall shows’ pre-sale allocation exhausted just hours after going on sale.

Frontier Comedy is thrilled to see Em now perform two shows at Melbourne’s premier music venue Hamer Hall on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 July, and add a show at Sydney’s iconic Enmore Theatre on Sunday 11 August to accompany her State Theatre performance on Saturday 10 August. Em’s shows at Hobart’s Federation Concert Hall on Wednesday 24 July, The Thebarton Theatre in Adelaide on Friday 26 July, Riverside Theatre at PCEC Perth on Saturday 27 July and Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre on Friday 2 August are also all selling fast, so jumping in when the general public goes on sale at 1pm today (Wednesday 8 May) is strongly advised!    

Em’s highly anticipated new live experience (let’s face it, an Em Rusciano show is not just a show) is an unprecedented Australian theatre tour for the comedian, singer, writer and broadcaster. With an impressive career trajectory that has launched her from finalist and audience favourite in a hugely popular national talent show to hosting brekky radio and selling out theatres around Australia, the glitter cyclone embodied by Em Rusciano continues to take no prisoners and tell no lies. And she’s once again doing it with her Dad, Vincie playing in her band.

This past year Em had a baby, turned 40, left a high profile job and had a combined 45 minutes sleep. There’s been next-level rage. There’s also been love. There’s been day drinking and breastfeeding… no, not at the same time.

With The Rage and Rainbows Tour, Em is finally giving voice to that gnawing rage we all try to hide. She’s unleashing the rage, dunking it in white wine, rolling it in glitter, and giving it an eight-piece back-up band and four costume changes. She’s also going to tell you what you can do with it; to send it on its way.

With sell-out shows around Australia for the past five years consecutively, a best-selling memoir, award-winning audiobook and two Top Ten singles, Em is one of Australia’s most prolific performers — and let’s not forget she’s done all of the above and more while raising a young family. With a Facebook following of 275,000 fans, 32,000 on Twitter and 180,000 on Instagram, Em’s social media community is fierce, loud and passionately loyal.

Em has teamed up with MSquared Productions, as well as Australia’s 2019 Eurovision representative, the ridiculously talented Kate Miller-Heidke, and her partner Keir Nuttall to write original, fabulous songs especially for The Rage and Rainbows Tour. The songs are  available here, and learning all the words so that we can have a knee-trembling singalong is strongly encouraged. As Em puts it,

“Now, listen here: I want you to learn them before the show. Study them. Press play/pause on your stereo and write out the lyrics while lying on your bed with a lollipop, like the good ol’ days. I want you to be able to sing along with me, lighter in the air, hand on your heart.”

The Rage and Rainbows Tour is more than a show. It’s a festival for anyone who’s felt fed-up, furious, exhausted, demoralised… but still maintained a passion for sequins.

Don’t miss the unstoppable force of female empowerment, nurturing motherhood and sheer moxie that is Em Rusciano as she scatters truthbombs, rage and rainbows to theatres across Australia in her most epic show yet. As proven by the extraordinary pre-sale performance, this tour WILL sell out – book early!

EM RUSCIANO
THE RAGE & RAINBOW TOUR
AUSTRALIA
JULY – AUGUST 2019
Presented by Frontier Comedy

GENERAL PUBLIC AND ADDED SHOWS ON-SALE
Begins: Wed 8 May (1pm local time)

Fri 19 Jul | 8.00pm SELLING  FAST!
Sat 20 Jul | 8.45pm NEW SHOW ADDED!
Hamer Hall | Melbourne, VIC            
artscentremelbourne.com.au | Ph: 1300 182 183

Wed 24 Jul | 8.00pm 
Federation Concert Hall | Hobart, TAS        
ticketmaster.com.au |  Ph: 13 61 00

Fri 26 Jul | 8.00pm 
Thebarton Theatre | Adelaide, SA            
ticketmaster.com.au | Ph: 13 61 00

Sat 27 Jul | 8.00pm 
Riverside Theatre, PCEC | Perth, WA              
ticketek.com.au | Ph: 13 28 49

Fri 2 Aug | 8.00pm  
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre | Brisbane, QLD  
ticketek.com.au | Ph: 13 28 49

Sat 10 Aug | 8.00pm SELLING  FAST!
State Theatre | Sydney, NSW            
ticketmaster.com.au | Ph: 13 61 00

Sun 11 Aug | 7.30pm NEW SHOW ADDED!
Enmore Theatre | Sydney, NSW                
ticketek.com.au | Ph: 13 28 49

All shows all ages – recommended for patrons aged 15+
Show contains coarse language and adult themes.

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Interview with Stevie Dacanay (Buckcherry)

Recently STMs very own Rohan had an amazing chat with Guitarist STEVIE D of BUCKCHERRY about the recent announcement of their tour down under this October. You can hear the full audio here: 

Stand by for a double shot of dirty, gritty, sleazy, streetwise Rock ‘n’ Roll as Los Angeles’ notorious, multi-platinum-selling rock band BUCKCHERRY team up with special guests Sweden’s Kings of thrashy sleaze rock HARDCORE SUPERSTAR thanks to Silverback Touring.

“I wanna have fun blowing out your eardrums keep it rocking state to state.” Screams BUCKCHERRY frontman Josh Todd on the new album Warpaint and The Los Angeles-based line-up has been doing exactly that since the 1999 release of their self-titled album. Hits including Lit Up, For the Movies, Say F** It, Crazy Bitch and Sorry, not to mention Grammy nominations, international touring and sales, have solidified BUCKCHERRY’s rock ‘n’ roll bona fides.

BUCKCHERRY staunchly uphold the commandments of rock music with an arsenal of anthems primed to explode on impact live on stage and teeming with riotous energy, sexy swagger, and primal chops intact. It’s something that the boys have done since day one, but it’s more necessary now than ever. BUCKCHERRY head back to Australia for the first time since 2016.

Sweden’s premiere purveyors of thrash metal meets sleaze rock, HARDCORE SUPERSTAR last hit Australia in June 2018 and the demand was there for an encore appearance, so here they are! Fusing a base of hard, aggressive heavy metal with the catchy, melodic and decadent hard rock of glams glory days, HARDCORE SUPERSTAR’s self-coined ‘street metal’ is made for the stage!

It’s music from the heart. Fist pumping, anthemic rock with tasty licks, big bass and bigger drums! The band will be bringing all their bombastic hits with them like Wild Boys, You Can’t Kill My Rock ‘n Roll, Last Call For Alcohol, Bring The House Down and Above The Law that will get the room shaking as well as their expert level power ballads like Someone Special which will have phones (and some old school lighters) raised high in the air.

Joining the tour are Sydney act BAD MOON BORN; an undeniably talented up and coming five-piece rock band with a captivating sound that is self-described as “girth rock”. They are a new wave of hard rock, with influences from Guns ‘N’ Roses, Alter Bridge, Avenged Sevenfold and Audioslave.

Want to get down, dirty, sleazy and get lost in pure rock ‘n’ roll energy? Then now is your chance as BUCKCHERRY with special guests HARDCORE SUPERSTAR are going to bring just that……..

With special guests

Buckcherry / Hardcore Superstar / Bad Moon Born

October 2019 Tour Dates

Tuesday October 08 PERTH, Rosemount Hotel

Wednesday October 09 ADELAIDE, The Gov

Friday October 11 MELBOURNE, Max Watts

Saturday October 12 BRISBANE, Zoo

Sunday October 13 SYDNEY, Metro

TICKETS

Presale: Friday 17 May 10am (AEST) > Monday 20th May 10am (AEST)

GP Onsale: Monday 20th May 10am (AEST)

Register for Pre-sale link: http://silverbacktouring.com.au/buckcherry-2019/

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Interview with Graeme Bonnet

GRAHAM BONNET with ALCATRAZZ are heading down under to play RAINBOW’s album ‘DOWN TO EARTH’ in full, plus hits from ALCATRAZZ, MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP and more! Rohan spoke to the man himself about what to expect. 

The James Dean of Heavy Metal is set to grace our shores in June 2019, nonetheless with ALCATRAZZ in tow! Renowned for his suave stage presence heading up the likes of RAINBOW, ALCATRAZZ, MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP, IMPELLITTERI and his solo band GRAHAM BONNET BAND – not to mention his powerful, distinct and iconic vocal sound, that goes straight to 11 then swiftly into smooth melody in a heartbeat – GRAHAM BONNET delivers a solid stage trip through his career, that will not disappoint the discerning fan.

With a career spanning a range of musical styles, and hit songs, it only makes sense to start with a mention to his first hit with the duo, THE MARBLES in 1968, with the single “Only One Woman”. The hit song, written by Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb and Maurice Gibb of the Bee Gees, marks the impressive start to an awesome and diverse career.

Embarking on the first leg of his solo career, Bonnet smashed the charts with a self-titled album that hit gold in Australia. The album was met with great praise with hits including “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue”, a Bob Dylan cover, which charted in the top five in Australia in 1977. Further to the success of this release, the single “Warm Ride”, Bonnet’s take on a leftover track from the Saturday Night Fever sessions and written by the Bee Gees, went to number one in Australia.

Bonnet found his career taking a heavier Rock and Metal route when Ritchie Blackmore chose him to replace Ronnie James Dio on vocals for the band RAINBOW. A hard act to follow, and a new genre to ignite, Bonnet proved his skill yet again, singing on RAINBOW’s iconic album ‘Down to Earth’, which became his most successful release to date with two hit singles “Since You’ve Been Gone” and “All Night Long”.

After Rainbow, Bonnet joined the MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP, and recorded the ‘Assault Attack’ album, considered one of their best releases of all time.

Departing yet again from the beaten path, Bonnet co-founded ALCATRAZZ, with Gary Shea on bass, Jimmy Waldo on keyboards (both from the band New England), Jan Uvena (former drummer for Alice Cooper), and legendary, Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen. From 1983-87, the band released 3 highly revered studio albums (‘No Parole from Rock N’ Roll’, ‘Disturbing the Peace’, and ‘Dangerous Games’) and one live album ‘Live Sentence’.

In more recent years, Bonnet has toured consistently around the world with his GRAHAM BONNET BAND, to throngs of fans.

Now, for the first time in Australia, you will hear Graham and band perform the iconic RAINBOW album ‘DOWN TO EARTH’ in its entirety, as well as a slew of other hits from the melting pot of his career.

Limited VIP Meet & Greet packages will be available. VIP punters will be graced with a special acoustic performance by Graham, along with a meet and greet/ photo opportunity, entry to the show and a couple of little extras.

TOUR DATES:

THURS 6 JUNE – ADELAIDE – ENIGMA

FRI 7 JUNE – MELBOURNE – THE CORNER

SAT 8 JUNE – SYDNEY – MANNING

 

TICKETS & INFO: www.hardlinemedia.net

 

 
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Interview with Jimi Hocking & Paul Woseen (The Screaming Jets)

Celebrating 30 years, The Screaming Jets are taking a step back in time and revisiting their musical history. Songs like ‘Sister Tease’, ‘Stop The World’, ‘Blue Sashes’, ‘Think’, and many more gems are set to be unleashed onto fans in a select few shows. Casper caught up with Jimi Hocking and Paul Woseen recently to chat about the journey of the last three decades.

JIMI HOCKING
PAUL WOSEEN

Fans should prepare for The Screaming Jets to blow their minds (and ears), with a live retrospective of the band’s thirty-year career… 8 studio albums, 2 live albums, 3 EP’s. With well over 100 original songs in an extensive rock catalogue, the Jets are going back to their roots and uncovering songs they haven’t played for years. A recent poll of fans could see the boys pull out favourites such as ‘Living In England’ & ‘Meet Anybody’ (Living In England EP), ‘Everytime’ & ‘Night Child’ (Tear Of Thought album) and ‘Life & Death’ (The Screaming Jets self titled album) to name a few favourties from their extensive catalogue.

Not much has changed since 1989 when this bunch of hard-rockin’ blokes emerged from the ‘burbs of Newcastle… Belligerent, ball tearing rock was their calling card. By 1990, they busted out of Steel Town to introduce themselves to the wider world….of Kings Cross, the wild Aussie pub rock scene and the international stages of the US, UK and Europe.

Blistering live shows ensued, littered with great songs, and controversy on and off stage in equal parts. There were those who thought the Jets would burn out and be consigned to the scrap heap of rock – how wrong they were!

Fast forward 30 years, through countless gigs and over a dozen albums and the Jets are firmly established as one of Australia’s most respected rock bands.  In the heartland of working-class strongholds, they sit proudly alongside Chisel, The Angels, the Choirboys and the other bands who have shaped Oz Rock as we know it today.  And they will continue to do so for many years to come!:

‘DIRTY THIRTY’ TOUR DATES

Tickets on sale now

 

Fri 3rd May – Wests Cardiff, Newcastle

Sat 4th May – Wests Cardiff, Newcastle

With The Poor – Tickets HERE

 

Fri 10th May – Doyalson RSL, NSW

With The Poor – Tickets HERE

 

Sat 11th May – Metro Theatre, Sydney.

With The Poor and Special guests: CELIBATE RIFLES – Tickets HERE

 

Fri 17th May – The Triffid, Brisbane

With The Poor – Tickets HERE

 

Sat 18th May – Astor Theatre, Perth

With The Poor – Tickets HERE

 

Fri 24th May – 170 Russell, Melbourne.

With The Poor and Special Guests: BOOM CRASH OPERA – Tickets HERE

 

Sat 25th May  – The Gov, Adelaide

With The Poor – Tickets HERE

 

ACCESS MEDIA ASSETS HERE

 

FOLLOW THE SCREAMING JETS:

www.thescreamingjets.com.au

Facebook: facebook.com/thescreamingjets

Instagram: TheScreamingJetsOfficial

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Interview with Minoru Niihara (LOUDNESS)

The Rising Sun heads Down Under as legendary Japanese Metallers LOUDNESS hit Australia for the very first time thanks to Silverback Touring and STM’s Sarah Minazzo Had a killer chat with frontman Minoru Niihara about what to expect.

Formed in 1981; LOUDNESS released their first album The Birthday Eve and it created a huge stir on the Japanese Metal scene. In 1983 LOUDNESS hit the west and toured the U.S. their stunning energetic live show caught the attention of Atlantic Records and became the first Japanese metal band to sign a multiple album deals with a major label.

Watch: ‘’Crazy Nights’’ Below:

Their defining album Thunder In The East exploded and hit the Billboard charts at # 74 and staying there for 19 weeks as they embarked on a nation-wide tour with Motley Crue. The following album Lightning Strikes hit the Billboard charts at # 64 and firmly entrenching the band as International superstars. Akira Takasaki also became a true guitar god in the West.

“the audience was won over from the moment the group took the stage”- Zrockr

Now some 33 years, numerous line-up changes and 28 studio albums later LOUDNESS is still at the top of their game and still charting every album in their homeland. In 2018 LOUDNESS released their latest album ‘Rise To Glory. The good news is that original members Akira Takasaki (Guitar), Masayoshi Yamashita (Bass), Minoru Niihara (vocals) are heading our way along with Masayuki Suzuki (Drums). They may be almost 40 years into their distinguished career but LOUDNESS remains one of the hottest live acts out there and now Australia gets the chance to witness LOUDNESS for the very first time.

LOUDNESS May 2019 Australian Tour Dates:

Thursday 9th May – Melbourne / Max Watts

Friday 10th May – Sydney / Crow Bar

Saturday 11th May – Brisbane / Woolly Mammoth

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

silverbacktouring.com/loudness-2019

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Interview with Geoff Tate (Avantasia)

AVANTASIA are here in a few weeks. And STM’s Cassandra had a great chat with GEOFF TATE (Ex- Queensryche, Operation: Mindcrime) about what to expect from this gargantuan tour. 

As it was announced late last year that the world’s biggest Metal opera was finally coming to Australia. 20 years after the release of the original Metal Operas, Musical mastermind Tobias Sammet decided to bring the full AVANTASIA stage show to Australia!

As the AVANTASIA dates, inch closer and closer to Australia, set for impact this May, the cast of this once-in-a-lifetime event has been announced! Amidst sheer praise and admiration for ‘Moonglow’ (Which hit #1 in the German album charts), Tobias Sammet has out-done himself with a world-class roster of singers and musicians that will be making the trek down under this May:

TOBIAS SAMMET – Lead vocals (Edguy, Avantasia)
BOB CATLEY – Lead vocals (Magnum)
ERIC MARTIN – Lead vocals (Mr. Big)
GEOFF TATE – Lead vocals (ex-Queensryche, Operation: Mindcrime)
JORN LANDE – Lead vocals (ex-Masterplan, JORN)
RONNIE ATKINS – Lead vocals (Pretty Maids)
HERBIE LANGHANS – Backing vocals / Lead vocals (Sinbreed)
ADRIENNE COWAN – Backing vocals / Lead vocals (Seven Spires, Winds of Plague)
SASCHA PAETH – Guitars (Producer for Avantasia, Edguy, Angra, Shaaman, Rhapsody of Fire, Kamelot, After Forever and Epica)
OLLI HARTMANN – Guitars / Backing vocals (At Vance, Hartmann)
MIRO RODENBERG – Keyboards (Producer for Angra, Shaaman, Luca Turilli, Rhapsody of Fire, Kamelot and Heavens Gate)
ANDRE NEYGENFIND – Bass (Avantasia)
FELIX BOHNKE – Drums (Edguy)  

Having blown crowds away with headline sets at both Wacken Open Air in Germany and Barcelona Rockfest while touring their previous album Ghostlights, AVANTASIA proved they are one of the biggest names in operatic and symphonic heavy music. Sammet is a masterful storyteller, creating epic fantasy worlds that can barely be contained within his sprawling concept albums. They can barely be contained on stage either with AVANTASIA shows typically lasting for up to three hours!

AVANTASIA’s eighth studio album, ‘Moonglow’ was released via Nuclear Blast in February and boasts an incredible list of performers including Jorn Lande, Eric Martin (Mr Big), Geoff Tate (ex-Queensryche), Michael Kiske (Helloween), Bob Catley (Magnum), Amanda Somerville, Candice Night, Hansi Kursch (Blind Guardian) & Mille Petrozza (Kreator)

It can absolutely be said that Australia has never seen a tour like this. From the depth of storytelling, to the range of the cast, to the sheer musical brilliance – this is a once in a lifetime tour! Do not miss this!

AVANTASIA TOUR DATES:

RSVP & Ticket Links:
May 12th – Sydney, Metro Theatre
Tickets: https://bit.ly/2IMBZMr  

May 14th – Melbourne, The Forum (SELLING FAST!)
Tickets: https://bit.ly/2Uk2c6E

Presented by Overdrive Touring

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[SUPANOVA COMIC-CON] Interview with Lucy Pohl

STM’s Sarah Minazzo had a great chat with Lucie Pohl (Overwatch) ahead of SUPANOVA Comic-Con and Gaming coming up fast in Melbourne and the Gold Coast

Lucie Pohl is a German-American TV & Film actor, comedian, writer and the voice of Mercy from Blizzard Entertainment’s Overwatch.

Lucie can be seen on the cult UK TV show Red Dwarf XI, as well as appearances in Showtime’s Homeland, Warner Bros. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, David Chase’s Not Fade Away and over 30 other US + international Film + TV productions.

Lucie has written three solo comedy shows which have toured in the US and internationally to sold-out houses, received 5-star reviews and been nominated for the NY Innovative Theater Award.

Supanova to Celebrate Mad Max’s 40th Anniversary, and More, at 

April’s Melbourne & Gold Coast Events 

It was on April 12 in 1979 that audiences were first introduced to the iconic dystopian film, Mad Max, with Steve Bisley portraying Max’s right-hand man, Goose, while Hugh Keays-Byrne took on the role of villain Toecutter before triumphantly reappearing as Immortan Joe in Mad Max: Fury Road. So it’s only fitting that these original alumni and Aussie icons are driving their way onto the already talent-packed Supanova Comic Con & Gaming Melbourne (6-7 April) and Gold Coast (13-14 April) lineup. 

To take celebrations up a notch, Bisley and Keays-Byrne will also be headlining the Supanova Superhero Parade (Sunday 14 April) on the Gold Coast that’ll be marching from Broadbeach at 9am, making its way to the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre where Supanova will open its doors at 10am. They’ll be joined by hundreds of fans in a variety of costumes to celebrate the Gold Coast Superhero Weekend. 

In further guest news, Supanova favourite Graham McTavish (The Hobbit, Outlander) has also been confirmed. Following an appearance as King Atlan in this summer’s blockbuster, Aquaman, and more voice work as Dracula in Castlevania, McTavish is currently filming the fourth season of Preacher in Melbourne.

Australian publishing imprint IFWG will also have a strong presence, with founder and dark fiction maestro Gerry Huntman (author of upcoming fantasy series Sky Realms Chronicles) appearing in Melbourne and Sydney-based spec-fic author Christopher Sequeira (The Phantom, Sherlock Holmes: The Australian Casebook) gracing both events while also hosting contributor and New York Times bestselling author Nancy Holder (Wicked series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Smallville) at both events.

They will bring a worldwide exclusive to Supanova with the launch of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Was Not, featuring multiple international and award-winning writers.

There’s also Banksia Project recipients, illustrators Alex e Clark (Melbourne exclusive) and Cameron Davis (Gold Coast exclusive), lending their creative talents to the lineup, while comic artist Mike Krome (Zenescope, Valiant, Aspen), writer and illustrator Jan Scherpenhuizen (Possible Press), and Julie Ditrich (Comics Mastermind CEO and Founder) are slated for Melbourne.

The latest guest announcement is rounded out by Australian comic artist Stewart McKenny (Star Wars: Clone War Adventures, Captain America) and local author Brad Mengel, who currently works in Australia’s criminal justice system.

Tickets for Supanova 2019 – Melbourne and Gold Coast are on sale now via Moshtix.

Supanova is a celebration of fandom, where the worlds of film and television, fantasy, comic books, anime, sci-fi, cartoons, books, gaming and collectables comes to life! There’s something for everyone, including ‘cosplay’ (costume-role play), fan clubs, musical performances, creative master classes, celebrity Q&As, wrestling, tournaments, competitions and an expo full of shopping possibilities.

Other Supa-Star Guests already announced for Melbourne and Gold Coast include:

Camila Mendes (Riverdale)

Tyler Posey (Teen Wolf)

Tyler Hoechlin (Teen Wolf, Supergirl)

Eliza Taylor (The 100)

Toby Stephens (Black Sails, Lost in Space)

Stefan Kapicic (Deadpool)

Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite, Blades of Glory)

Jordan Connor (Riverdale)

Matt Ryan (Constantine, Legends of Tomorrow)

Troy Baker (The Last of Us, Bioshock Infinite)

Nolan North (Assassin’s Creed, Uncharted)

Lucie Pohl (Overwatch)

Jonny Cruz (Overwatch)

Brian Donovan (Naruto)

V.E. Schwab (author – Shades of Magic, Villains)

SUPANOVA BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Supanova Comic Con & Gaming began in Sydney in 2002 as a completely home-grown Australian production showcasing sci-fi, fantasy, comic books, anime, manga, games, cosplay and much more. The brainchild of Founder & Event Director, Daniel Zachariou, Supanova is run by a diverse and passionate team of independent professionals with backgrounds in private industry and the creative sector. Supanova takes place in six cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and the Gold Coast), and is Australia’s leading and largest event of its kind with close to 200,000 fans expected to attend the Supanova events in 2019.

Supanova is a celebration of pop culture created by the Supanova family, for your family, to “bring out the inner geek” in fans of all ages. 

SUPANOVA DATES: 

Melbourne: April 5-7, 2019 | Melbourne Showgrounds 

Gold Coast: April 12-14, 2019 | Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre

FULL SUPA-STAR GUEST BIOGRAPHIES AVAILABLE AT: http://www.supanova.com.au/guests 

TICKETS: on sale now through Moshtix

SUPANOVA WEB PRESENCE:

http://www.supanova.com.au 

http://www.facebook.com/supanovaexpo   

http://twitter.com/supanovaexpo

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[SUPANOVA COMIC-CON] Interview with Hugh Keays-Byrne

STM’s Sarah Minazzo had a great chat with actor Hugh Keays-Byrne ahead of SUPANOVA Comic-Con and Gaming coming up fast in Melbourne and the Gold Coast


For those who would prefer a TRANSCRIPT of this interview: You can download it HERE

Hugh Keays-Byrne is an Australian actor born in Srinagar, Kashmir (1947); educated and raised in England.

He began his career as a stage actor in England in 1964 working at Theatre Centre Limited, then at The Mermaid Theatre (Sir Bernard Miles company) and for 6 years at the Royal Shakespeare Company. The RSC’s world tour of Peter Brook’s famous production of A Midsummer Night’s dream brought him to Australia in 1973. He decided to stay.

He continued to work in the theatre in Australia through the ’70s; Lennie in Of Mice and Men and Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire, both at the Sydney Opera House, were acclaimed productions. In his first year in Australia, he was cast as Toad in Stone(1974) and regular film roles followed; the most significant of these being as Toecutter in George Miller’s debut Mad Max (1979).

Hugh has had significant roles in over 20 films in Australia, among them are: The Man From Hong Kong (1975), THE CHAIN REACTION (1980), Strikebound (1984), Burke and Wills (1985), Kangaroo (1987), Resistance (1992, Co-Writer/ Co-Director, Actor), and Sleeping Beauty (2011).

He has also had roles in a plethora of television productions, including: Death Train (1978), Moby Dick (1998), Journey to the Centre of the Earth (1999), and one of his all time favourites as “that chick magnet” Grunchlk in Farscape (2001) and Peacekeeper Wars (2004).

His latest film role is as Immortan Joe in Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Hugh has a partner, Christina, of 45 years and lives on the Central Coast, north of Sydney, Australia.

Supanova to Celebrate Mad Max’s 40th Anniversary, and More, at 

April’s Melbourne & Gold Coast Events 

It was on April 12 in 1979 that audiences were first introduced to the iconic dystopian film, Mad Max, with Steve Bisley portraying Max’s right-hand man, Goose, while Hugh Keays-Byrne took on the role of villain Toecutter before triumphantly reappearing as Immortan Joe in Mad Max: Fury Road. So it’s only fitting that these original alumni and Aussie icons are driving their way onto the already talent-packed Supanova Comic Con & Gaming Melbourne (6-7 April) and Gold Coast (13-14 April) lineup. 

To take celebrations up a notch, Bisley and Keays-Byrne will also be headlining the Supanova Superhero Parade (Sunday 14 April) on the Gold Coast that’ll be marching from Broadbeach at 9am, making its way to the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre where Supanova will open its doors at 10am. They’ll be joined by hundreds of fans in a variety of costumes to celebrate the Gold Coast Superhero Weekend. 

In further guest news, Supanova favourite Graham McTavish (The Hobbit, Outlander) has also been confirmed. Following an appearance as King Atlan in this summer’s blockbuster, Aquaman, and more voice work as Dracula in Castlevania, McTavish is currently filming the fourth season of Preacher in Melbourne.

Australian publishing imprint IFWG will also have a strong presence, with founder and dark fiction maestro Gerry Huntman (author of upcoming fantasy series Sky Realms Chronicles) appearing in Melbourne and Sydney-based spec-fic author Christopher Sequeira (The Phantom, Sherlock Holmes: The Australian Casebook) gracing both events while also hosting contributor and New York Times bestselling author Nancy Holder (Wicked series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Smallville) at both events.

They will bring a worldwide exclusive to Supanova with the launch of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Was Not, featuring multiple international and award-winning writers.

There’s also Banksia Project recipients, illustrators Alex e Clark (Melbourne exclusive) and Cameron Davis (Gold Coast exclusive), lending their creative talents to the lineup, while comic artist Mike Krome (Zenescope, Valiant, Aspen), writer and illustrator Jan Scherpenhuizen (Possible Press), and Julie Ditrich (Comics Mastermind CEO and Founder) are slated for Melbourne.

The latest guest announcement is rounded out by Australian comic artist Stewart McKenny (Star Wars: Clone War Adventures, Captain America) and local author Brad Mengel, who currently works in Australia’s criminal justice system.

Tickets for Supanova 2019 – Melbourne and Gold Coast are on sale now via Moshtix.

Supanova is a celebration of fandom, where the worlds of film and television, fantasy, comic books, anime, sci-fi, cartoons, books, gaming and collectables comes to life! There’s something for everyone, including ‘cosplay’ (costume-role play), fan clubs, musical performances, creative master classes, celebrity Q&As, wrestling, tournaments, competitions and an expo full of shopping possibilities.

Other Supa-Star Guests already announced for Melbourne and Gold Coast include:

Camila Mendes (Riverdale)

Tyler Posey (Teen Wolf)

Tyler Hoechlin (Teen Wolf, Supergirl)

Eliza Taylor (The 100)

Toby Stephens (Black Sails, Lost in Space)

Stefan Kapicic (Deadpool)

Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite, Blades of Glory)

Jordan Connor (Riverdale)

Matt Ryan (Constantine, Legends of Tomorrow)

Troy Baker (The Last of Us, Bioshock Infinite)

Nolan North (Assassin’s Creed, Uncharted)

Lucie Pohl (Overwatch)

Jonny Cruz (Overwatch)

Brian Donovan (Naruto)

V.E. Schwab (author – Shades of Magic, Villains)

SUPANOVA BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Supanova Comic Con & Gaming began in Sydney in 2002 as a completely home-grown Australian production showcasing sci-fi, fantasy, comic books, anime, manga, games, cosplay and much more. The brainchild of Founder & Event Director, Daniel Zachariou, Supanova is run by a diverse and passionate team of independent professionals with backgrounds in private industry and the creative sector. Supanova takes place in six cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and the Gold Coast), and is Australia’s leading and largest event of its kind with close to 200,000 fans expected to attend the Supanova events in 2019.

Supanova is a celebration of pop culture created by the Supanova family, for your family, to “bring out the inner geek” in fans of all ages. 

SUPANOVA DATES: 

Melbourne: April 5-7, 2019 | Melbourne Showgrounds 

Gold Coast: April 12-14, 2019 | Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre

FULL SUPA-STAR GUEST BIOGRAPHIES AVAILABLE AT: http://www.supanova.com.au/guests 

TICKETS: on sale now through Moshtix

SUPANOVA WEB PRESENCE:

http://www.supanova.com.au 

http://www.facebook.com/supanovaexpo   

http://twitter.com/supanovaexpo

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