San Diego called Rocket From the Crypt being the best band in the universe, and anyone who got to see them live knows why. Adorned in flamboyantly matching attire, led by the most charismatic and energetic frontman since The King himself, armed with a ferociously ska-free horn section and backed up by a legion of devout rocket-tattoo-stamped fans to boot, Rocket From The Crypt quickly became the band that you absolutely did not want playing right before you took the stage.
These guys were like the band version of the hot girl that your girlfriend knew about but never wanted you to meet. And then, in 2005, after 15 years of unconventionally kinetic stage antics (sometimes involving fire breathing, on-stage raffles, or a guy named ‘Dirty’ who was essentially the band’s resident cheerleader), the band gave their bittersweet farewell performance for an army of costume-clad fans – some of which even flew in from other countries – on their favourite day of the year to perform, Halloween. The band have announced a full reunion and Australian fans will finally get their chance to see the band after 12 long years!
Was there any particular motivating factor to join the Soundwave festival as opposed to your own tour?
They offered us a lot of money.
Are there any other bands on the Soundwave bill you guys are keen to check out?
Yeah, we are keen to check out Metallica, Offspring, 311, Exodus and all the great local bands.
Do you have any crazy bucket to-do lists while you are in Australia?
No. But I will be buying two pairs of RM Williams ( one black, one brown). I’m really looking forward to new boots. They are pretty speedy, so I guess it’s kinda crazy.
How has the experience of returning to live performance been for the band?
It’s been much fun. We are gonna make it to the top. We won’t be denied this time.
Can you name a particular gig that has stood-out as a highlight for the band?
Any of our Halloween shows over the years, the Wheel of Torture show at the Casbah 1998, Snow Jam 2002, Southern Comfort Riverboat Excursion 2004, any of the Monster Energy Fest gigs.
This year the band was apart of the madness that is Riotfest, how was that experience?
It was a good festival. I got diarrhoea from the catering though.
Are you big Replacement fans? How was it to see the band return to the stage?
I spent many hours listening to Sorry Ma. That record definitely was/is a big influence.
The first gig they played in Toronto was very good. I thought they played and sounded great. I wasn’t able to get close enough to see them the other two shows because I refused to suck off their stage crew in order to get on the side of the stage.
If you could curate your own Rocket From The Crypt festival, what three bands you would love to have on the bill?
This is the kind of information I usually charge for.
Well, let me see……Can the people in the band be dead?
Where is this festival? What is my budget?
What can Australian fans expect to see from a Rocket From The Crypt set?
We will play too long and get unplugged in the middle of the last song. There will be 20 people upfront really digging us and thousands more milling about eagerly anticipating the next band. Speedo will whip a camels ass on stage. Scream Dracula!
What does 2014 have in store?
After we visit you guys and deplete your natural resources we are off to conquer other foreign lands with our oppressive, rock n roll. Obama.
Is there new material on the horizon?
We just recorded some covers to coincide with our upcoming tour of Monkey Island. But, no new songs on the horizon as of yet. We’ll see.
Soundwave 2014 Lineup
Green Day
Avenged Sevenfold
Stone Temple Pilots (with Chester Bennington)
Megadeth
Alice In Chains
Rob Zombie
Megadeth
Placebo
AFI
KoRn
Alterbridge
Trivium
Down
DevilDriver
Newsted
Biffy Clyro
Rocket From The Crypt
Asking Alexandria
Clutch
Alkaline Trio
Baroness
Five Finger Death Punch
August Burns Red
Testament
Living Color
Letlive
Motionless In White
Gwar
Black Dahlia Murder
MushroomHead
Finch
Pulled Apart By Horses
Ill Nino
Nancy Vandal
Bowling For Soup
Trash Talk
Skindred
Volbeat
Amon Amarth
Terror
Whitechapel
TesseracT
The Story So Far
Hardcore Superstar
10 Years
Walking Papers
Our Last Night
Coliseum
Your Demise
Heaven’s Basement
Real Friends
+ more to be announced.
Soundwave 2014 Dates & Tickets
Tickets on sale Thrusday 9th September at 9am
via: soundwavefestival.com, oztix.com.au & other outlets
Saturday 22nd February – Brisbane, RNA Showgrounds
Sunday 23rd February – Sydney, Olympic Park
Friday 28th February – Melbourne, Flemington Racecourse
Saturday 1st March – Adelaide, Bonython Park
Monday 3rd March – Perth, Claremont Showgrounds
