Photo by Rudy de Doncker.
Having just shared the bill on quite a few European summer festivals, rock guitar god Slash has namechecked Airbourne in various interviews. Most famously saying that, “those guys are phenomenal. As far as new rock and roll bands are concerned right now, there haven’t been a lot of insanely great acts for some time. It’s hard to say who else I’d pick but Airbourne rock!”
Joel comments on their legendary endorsement, saying, “Slash is Rock’n'Roll and Soulful at the same time, he is a phenomenal guitarist that will be remembered forever. His showmanship, musicianship, guitar tone and trade mark riffs and licks have influenced countless guitarists worldwide. We are honored and stoked that he tips his top hat towards us. Slash Rock’n'Fk’n'Roll forever!”
Alice Cooper has also brought up Airbourne in a recent interview. Saying, “ I like bands that sound like drunk bar bands. I just saw this video of Airbourne the other night (”Blonde, Bad & Beautiful”) and I went ‘ok, that looks like fun’.”
Check out this video of the boys at the Mayhem festival in Montreal on the 25th July, guess who takes to the scaffolding?
Metal Maniacs Interview!
Natalie Perez of Metal Maniacs recently interviewed Joel and Ryan while out on the road with Bullet for my Valentine and Chiodos. They discussed the release of ‘No Guts. No Glory.” as well as what they have in store for the rest of 2010.
Read the interview below:
First, tell me about the band’s history from its creation up to this point?
Joel: Well I guess the band’s history… well we’re brothers we started in Warrnambool, Australia then we moved to Melbourne from there we did a lot of touring through Australia lived in a house together for about 3 ½ years we lived on pasta and then toured America just was on the road, from Europe to Australia all over.
How’s the tour been going so far?
Joel: Really good ya know. Just back here in the states again sunny weather drinking beers, people having a good time it’s a full band bill it’s like a mini festival it was a great idea.
What songs receive the best feedback live?
Joel: I guess Diamond in the Rough, Runnin Wild, Chewing the Fat. They pretty much all do.
Ryan: Born to Kill, Raise the Flag
Why don’t you tell me about your new album, “No Guts. No Glory.” What does the title represent and what was the concept behind creating this album in comparison to your previous works.
Joel: Well No Guts. No Glory. Was basically giving it all you got. The main focus was to present a more live vibe. To be brought forward with more of the mix of the last one Johnny K spent ages getting everything in the right spot.
How is it being a part of Roadrunner Records?
Joel: Roadrunner’s great they got their own culture when it comes to the label. A lot of the bands on the label are touring bands, spending lots of time on the road. Roadrunner likes getting to their audience and everybody who works there is a fan of metal. You’ve got to be a fan of music to want to work there.
“No Way But The Hard Way”, was the first single released off the album, and there was a video behind it tell me about the concept for that.
Joel: Yeah the video just get on top of a building and rockout.
What are your most proud of about being a part of Airbourne?
Joel: I’ve got my brother Ryan with me.
How do you like to occupy yourself in between shows on tour?
Joel: What we do? We have a few beers
Ryan: We probably drink more than we should but usually just have a beer with the locals. Just have a good time really.
What does the rest of 2010 have in store for Airbourne?
Joel: Tour pretty much. After this tour we go over to the UK for a bunch of festivals then we’re doing a Canadian tour and then come back here to the U.S. for the Uproar Tour. Then New Zealand and Australia then go back over to Europe and the UK again which goes right into Christmas and then back to Australia again.
Back in 08, you guys were a part of the Mayhem Festival as well as performing on the Jimmy Kimmel Live TV show what were the pros and cons of those events?
Joel: Well Mayhem was pretty good we went all around the U.S. seeing a lot of car parks it was good to get out in the sun. Some of the days out in Arizona were too hot at times. Jimmy Kimmel was the first American TV show it was really weird trying to get your head around on what to do. But those were both really fun to do.
If you could have anybody, living or dead hear your music, who would it be?
Joel: Ummm I’d like Elvis to have a listen and see what he thought of us. See if he loved it or not.
Ryan: Pretty much sums it all up for me.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Joel: Keep drinking and keep playing rock n’ roll.
by Natalie Perez-Metal Maniacs
