Australia’s foremost progressive metal act, Voyager are busting out of their home city of Perth for a national tour this May and June to launch their new video of ‘Seasons Of Age’ taken from their critically acclaimed album, 2014’s V.
The tour promises to be a biggie, the band having enlisted France’s klone as supports (hell yeah) as they perform in capital cities across Australia.
We managed to squeeze in some time with the busy band just before they make for the open Aussie road, speaking with the brilliant drummer, Ashley Doodkorte, who was only too keen to take us through the records that helped shape not only him, but how they had an impact and influence on Voyager as a band.
Take note, because this man has some seriously good taste – each of these albums are absolute pearlers.
Presidents of the United States of America – Presidents of the United States of America
1995, PopLlama
“The first album I ever owned – I bought it with a voucher to Archie Martin Vox (remember that place?) as I think I heard ‘Lump’ on the radio once.
“It’s still one of the few albums I own where every track is an absolute belter. It’s a great lesson in economy, not just in songwriting but also instruments (two-string basses and three-string guitars!), in that they could create such infectious hooks with so little. Showed me that music can and should be fun, and it began my love affair with nonsensical/non-sequitur-filled lyrics. Still one of the best live bands you could ever hope to see.”
Orgy – Candyass
1998, Warner Brothers
“My friend had the Family Values ‘98 Tour VHS, Orgy was one of the support acts on the tour.
“I discovered that there’s such a thing as a guitar synthesizer, even though I still don’t know what it is. It showed me that pop music can be dark, that electronica can be combined tastefully with heavier music, that sampling can sound alright. Shame their later stuff (third album to now) isn’t that great.”
Future Of The Left – Travels With Myself And Another
2009, 4AD
“The frontman from one of my first bands showed me these guys in his car as we travelled between pubs.
“I can’t put my finger on what it is about these guys and girl, and I can imagine you’d either love them or hate them. Another album where every track is fantastic (with song titles like ‘You Need Satan More Than He Needs You’ and ‘Stand By Your Manatee’ how can you go wrong?), I think it’s Falco’s unhinged vocal delivery and the all-guns-blazing instrumentation that gets me. Really interesting work on the drums, too!”
KoRn – Untouchables
2002, Immortal
“Lifelong KoRn fan, there was no way I was NOT going to get this album.
“I could have put up the self-titled album, I could have put up Follow the Leader, but I think this was the album that got me well and truly hooked on the band. It showed me that bands can evolve and still retain elements that make them so appealing in the first place. It was great to hear them embrace their darker, industrial side that they had been flirting with for the last few albums.”
Nine Inch Nails – The Fragile
1999, Nothing
“Saw a NIN marathon on rage, bought the back catalogue the next day.
“I still get lost in this album. The soundscapes, the intensity, the subtlety of the story being told loosely over the double album – all of it just grabs me and doesn’t let go. It’s ambitious, overwrought (in a good way) and a work of art.”
Skin Games – Modern Dance
1989, Epic
“A second-hand copy was going for $1 at Cash Converters.
“It taught me not to judge a book by its cover. From the cover art, it looked like an album I might really enjoy. I was wrong.”
Voyager 2015 Tour Dates
Thursday, May 21: Adelaide – Jive
Friday, May 22: Canberra – The Basement
Saturday, May 23: Sydney – The Factory Floor
Friday, May 29: Melbourne – The Evelyn
Saturday, May 30: Brisbane – The Brightside
Friday, June 5: Perth – Amplifier
Saturday, June 6: Bunbury – Prince Of Wales
Tickets info at www.oztix.com.au
