Scars and Guitars
With over 900 interviews, Andrew McKaysmith provides a welcoming environment for artists to discuss their politics, social insights, and artistic perspectives. Offering an authentic experience, this podcast invites you to tune in to the conversations with numerous luminaries from hard rock, heavy metal, and extreme metal.
Episodes

Thursday Dec 14, 2023
Thursday Dec 14, 2023
In this conversation with guitarist Jim Ward, we explore a range of topics. These include the origins of the songs on Wiretap Scars during his time with At the Drive-In, his memories of At the Drive-In's performance at the Big Day Out festival in 2001, and the shared fanbase between At the Drive-In and Sparta. Additionally, we delve into Jim's artistic evolution transitioning from At The Drive-In to Sparta, the factors influencing his songwriting and lyrical themes, his musical influences, the challenges inherent in sustaining a music career, and his ongoing projects and future directions in his musical journey.
SPARTA is set to embark on their Australian tour in May 2024 with the following dates and venues:
Thursday, May 16th: BRISBANE at The Triffid
Friday, May 17th: SYDNEY at Metro Theatre
Saturday, May 18th: MELBOURNE at Croxton Bandroom
Wednesday, May 22nd: ADELAIDE at The Gov
Thursday, May 23rd: PERTH at Rosemount Hotel
Tickets for these shows are available for purchase now at this link: https://metropolistouring.com/sparta-2024/

Monday Dec 04, 2023
Monday Dec 04, 2023
Kevin talks about career longevity and what's next for the band. Kevin shares his perspectives on Woodstock 1994 and Candlebox's connections with fellow Seattle bands and offers profound insights into the tension within Metallica during their joint performances. This chat encapsulates the essence of our podcast. Don't miss it!
Plus, mark your calendars for Candlebox's Australian shows in January 2024:
Wednesday, January 10: The Triffid, Brisbane
Friday, January 12: Metro Theatre, Sydney
Saturday, January 13: Corner Hotel, Melbourne
Sunday, January 14: Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide
Get your tickets and find on-sale information at www.silverbacktouring.com/candlebox
Episode note: Metal Church vocalist Mike Howe sadly passed away in 2021.

Monday Dec 04, 2023
Monday Dec 04, 2023
Tune in to John and Donald Tardy in this conversation as we dive into Obituary's distinctive journey, starting with the 1985 Metal Up Your Ass demo by Executioner. Delve into their enduring career, challenges with guitarist Allen West, and fond memories of the late Ralph Santolla. Explore their experimental project "Bullituary" and insights into their comeback album "Frozen in Time."
OBITUARY BARELY ALIVE AUSTRALIAN TOUR with Psycroptic* and Black Lava
11/1: Altar, Hobart
12/1: The Croxton, Melbourne
13/1: Manning Bar, Sydney
16/1: The Triffid, Brisbane
18/1: Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide*
19/1: Magnet House, Perth*
*no Psycroptic
Tickets from https://www.oztix.com.au/ and https://www.moshtix.com.au/v2/

Saturday Nov 25, 2023
Saturday Nov 25, 2023
Join us for an electrifying discussion with Marc Lopes as we delve into thought-provoking conversations about various social and political issues ahead of Metal Church's Australian shows.
Don't miss Metal Church's explosive performances on these dates:
Thursday, December 14 - MELBOURNE - Croxton
Friday, December 15 - BRISBANE - The Zoo
Saturday, December 16 - SYDNEY - Crowbar
Sunday, December 17 - ADELAIDE - Crown & Anchor
Get your tickets and all the information you need at www.hardlinemedia.net

Thursday Nov 23, 2023
Thursday Nov 23, 2023
This conversation with Donita Sparks of L7 starts with a look back at the Alternative Nation Festival in 1995 and the band's connection with Australian audiences. We'll discuss the unique qualities of Donita's guitar tone, which echoes Tom Warrior from Celtic Frost's style with a punk twist, and delve into how this sound was honed over time. The conversation will touch on the band's distinctive groove, the process of riff-writing, and Donita's musical inspirations.
We'll revisit the early reception of Nirvana's Nevermind and get Donita's perspective on The Prodigy's cover of the L7 cut, "Fuel My Fire." We clear up if Jennifer Finch ever played with Moby's band and whether Oliver Stone personally reached out for the "Natural Born Killers" soundtrack contribution.
Reflecting on the 30th anniversary of the notorious 'Tampongate' at the Reading Festival, we'll discuss its place in the band's history. The interview will also cover the band's advocacy efforts through Rock for Choice and whether Donita still identifies with the feminist movement, followed by her views on current issues regarding transgender individuals in sports, prisons, and beauty pageants.

Saturday Nov 18, 2023
Saturday Nov 18, 2023
In this chat, Darren discusses the making of Sadus's latest album, "The Shadow Inside." He shares insights into the inspiration behind the album's title and its connection to the album's themes. He also talks about this record's songwriting process and how it distinguishes itself from previous Sadus projects.
Darren also touches upon the absence of Steve Di Giorgio from the album and provides some insights into the reasons behind this decision.

Wednesday Nov 15, 2023
Wednesday Nov 15, 2023
Mark Whelan from Fuming Mouth opens up about their new release, "Last Day of Sun." Did his battle with leukemia alter the band's sound or influence the cataclysmic themes of the album? We'll explore how recent global developments have influenced his songwriting and the impact of Swedish death metal on their sound. Additionally, we'll talk about their future tour schedules, Mark's dream tour lineup, the rapport with their Australian audience, and his perspective on the heavy metal scene in the press and books. https://fumingmouth.bfan.link/ldos

Wednesday Nov 15, 2023
Wednesday Nov 15, 2023
Tana Douglas is widely recognised as the world's first female roadie. Tana shares tales from her groundbreaking journey, which began in 1973 when, as a trailblazer in the male-dominated world of rock 'n' roll, she started working with AC/DC in Australia. From doing backline to managing the Front of House (FoH) sound and then moving to lighting, Tana's career is a series of firsts that paved the way for women in the industry.
Her memoir, "LOUD," captures the essence of her massive life, lived largely on the road and behind the scenes, working with icons from AC/DC to Elton John. In this conversation, Tana opens up about her experiences, life on tour, and the indelible mark she's left on the roadie profession.
Check out her excellent book: https://www.amazon.com.au/Loud-Tana-Douglas/dp/0733340903

Friday Oct 27, 2023
Friday Oct 27, 2023
Welcome to the inaugural episode of 'Talking Metal... and some other shit,' featuring former Cradle of Filth guitarist James McIlroy. In this episode, we delve into a wide range of music-related subjects, including the evolution of music styles and the evolving role of albums in today's music industry. We also examine the often-overlooked significance of bass players, explore various aspects of the music business, and discuss the contentious practice of rerecording classic albums.
Our conversation touches on the influence of musicians such as Cliff Burton and the unique challenges of music promotion in the era of social media. Additionally, we explore topics such as online communities, controversial lyrics, media manipulation, the presence of politics in music discussions, and generational disparities. This episode aims to provide a comprehensive perspective on the intersection of music with society and media.
Check out James’ new project, Summon the Wolves!
https://youtube.com/@SummonTheWolvesBand?si=lJ14Q2A98KHzg3ZY
https://www.facebook.com/summonthewolves?mibextid=2JQ9oc

Wednesday Oct 25, 2023
Wednesday Oct 25, 2023
*Mille Petrozza on the Klash of the Titans Tour, collaborations, and current events*
Mille Petrozza discusses the upcoming Klash of the Titans tour with In Flames scheduled for February 2024. We delve into the reasons behind the collaboration with In Flames and touch upon setlists and the album 'Endorama.'
Mille also shares insights into his recent collaboration with Dani Filth and sheds light on what fans can expect from Kreator in terms of new music and upcoming projects.
We revisit a significant moment in Mille's career, the debut album 'Jesus Killing Machine' by Voodoocult, featuring Chuck Schuldiner, and discuss his memories of working with Chuck.
Additionally, we explore Mille's musical journey, including his work with Jan Peter Genkel on the Lacrimosa album 'Revolution'.
The conversation takes a turn towards current events, with Mille sharing his perspective on the world's instability, including the recent events in the Middle East. He addresses concerns regarding the rhetoric surrounding these issues and their impact on societies.
Join us for this insightful interview with Mille Petrozza, and don't forget to grab your tickets for the upcoming tour! Ticket Link: https://www.destroyalllines.com/tours/in-flames-kreator