Sydney’s genre bending heavy act Black Rheno are currently on the road across Australia, taking on their most ambitious headline tour to date with a massive national tour hitting all major capitols plus a few extra towns in between. As the tour name suggests, this is the final Black Rheno tour off their debut EP release “Lets Start A Cult” before the band comes out swinging with their first ever long player later in the year. Drummer Doug Martin tells us a bit about the band and what the tour will bring to metal punters across the nation.
What can people expect on the tour?
Loud noises, crazy man with a microphone stealing your drinks and hydrating his scalp with said drink and just a general party with a load of heavy groove!
How do you pick out a setlist and is that a difficult process?
Nah not too difficult at all. As we all know our music is a bit diverse on the heavy spectrum, so we try to put tracks together for a set that goes heavy AF then groovy then back to heavy and so forth… spice it up a bit so its not the same throughout the whole set ya’ll mean?
What is your favorite song to play live?
My personal fave is 40 Years, was our second single we released a while back and its still a banger.
Do you play cover songs and if so, what kind of covers do you perform?
Yeah we do, we recorded a Clutch cover of Pure Rock Fury for the Hardcore Hits Cancer compilation CD. But of recent we have been playing a cover of a fantastic 90’s cartoon intro.
How has the experience of playing live been like for the band so far?
Always great, never a dull moment. I think the three of us just love playing live most. Don’t get me wrong though, we do love recording, writing and all that other jazz but nothings better than playing for a bunch of sweaty crazy people going nuts.
Any favorite places to play live?
I’m speaking for myself here but I had a ball over in Texas playing SXSW last year. My first time in the states was with my buds playing heavy music everyday in Austin. Was a good time.
Any stand out shows or personal highlights from a tour or show?
The Thrash Blast and Grind tour was amazing. Our first go at playing Adelaide and Perth on that one and its nice to see the crowd digging our shit for the first time.
What are the next plans after this tour finishes? Will a new album be in the works?
That’s exactly it! The songs are down for the new album then after this tour we will be putting all our focus on recording and getting it out to you butt-holes asap!
How did the band form and get started?
Our frontman Milla owns and runs Housefox Studios in Sydney, so around the same time Nano and I checked it out just to practice drums or guitar and we all ended up clicking and jamming. We loved what was happening so decided to get real with it!
What have been your greatest challenges to date, and your favourite moments musically?
Its definitely a challenge juggling life with all this touring/writing/practicing. We all feel it but we all found our own ways through it cause we all want it so bad! As for favorite moments, pretty much anytime we start a tour or writing an album and come out on top after completing it all is pretty special I think.
With technology changing so much over the last few years and seemingly not slowing, and TV force-feeding us the lowest common denominator, what hope is there for rock & metal music?
Doesn’t matter I don’t think, as long as there’s rock and metal bands still making music and playing shows then there’s no reason to hope. It’s there!
From what you’ve learned so far what is the most valuable advice you’ve been given so far as a musician?
Say yes to everything (within reason) and just keep chugging along without slowing down.
Who are some of your main influences?
Theres a couple – Youngy from King Parrot for the general crazy hard work he has done to get where he is now and Billy Rymer from Dillinger Escape Plan, just because hes a super nice guy to chat to and a big drumming influence of mine as well.
Who or what inspired you to be in a band and play music?
No idea, I just love music and playing drums, so put that shit together and get in a band! But also watching all of my favorite bands play and you see the joy they get out of doing what they love, who the fuck wouldn’t want that, right??
How do you feel about the current music scene right now?
It’s a bit weird, well genre wise I mean there’s some odd stuff coming out now that I don’t really understand but hey if it’s your thing then it’s your thing. Metal though is still as strong as ever I think, there’s a lot of fans having a sook saying that the scene has gone to shit in certain areas but would probably be sitting at home watching game of thrones instead of going out to see a local metal band putting on a show.
Do you believe music can still change the world?
Of course, in the fact that it can influence people then yeah definitely.
If you could be a fly on the wall for the recording of any album in history, what album would it be?
Whaaaaattt??? There’s too many to choose from but most likely Ire Works from Dillinger Escape Plan or The Wretched Spawn from Cannibal Corpse or Blood Mountain from Mastodon or Songs For The Deaf from Queens Of The Stone Age. See what I mean???
What is the meaning of life?
Having fun and enjoying what you do, no matter what dickhead says about it.
Catch Black Rheno around Australia on the remaining dates below
March 23rd Enigma Bar – Adelaide SA
March 24th The Boston – Perth WA
March 30th Club 54 – Launceston TAZ
March 31st Brisbane Hotel – Hobart TAZ
