Scars and Guitars

Jeff Williams (Onslaught)

The opportunity to chat with Jeff from Onslaught is twofold. The group have a new album in market from may 25, 2025, titled Origins Of Aggression, which is steeped in tradition as it is full of rerecordings of the band's seminal material from 1985 to 1989 and also covers songs of legendary tracks from Dead Kennedys, Black Sabbath, Motörhead, Judas Priest, Discharge and many more. Throughout the conversation, Jeff discusses adventures aboard the 70,000 Tons of Metal cruise, the bizarre tour featuring former Anthrax vocalist Neil Turbin, the impact of the band's legacy and much more.
ONSLAUGHT Australian Tour:
14.11.2025 AU Perth - Rosemount Hotel
15.11.2025 AU Adelaide - Lion Arts Factory
19.11.2025 AU Canberra - The Baso
20.11.2025 AU Sydney - The Underground
21.11.2025 AU Brisbane - Soapbox Brewery
22.11.2025 AU Melbourne - Corner Hotel
Info & Tickets: https://www.powerfromhell.com/site/live 
 
Order the album ORIGINS OF AGGRESSION: https://onslaught.rpm.link/originsPR 
 

Jeff Wagner (Metal Maniacs)

In this episode, Jeff Wagner, Metal Maniacs editor from 1997–2001, explores shaping the magazine’s identity during metal’s subgenre diversification, maintaining underground authenticity, and tackling editorial hurdles like band selection and industry dynamics. He reflects on stories told, collaborating with writers like S. Craig Zahler, and notable moments, including studio sessions with Cradle of Filth, touring with Bruce Dickinson, and working with Mike Greenblatt and Blabbermouth’s Borivoj Krgin. Jeff also shares the most surprising and disappointing figures he met, discusses the impact of a recent tragedy, his books, and more.
Check out Jeff's podcast: https://radicalresearch.org/author/admin_jeff/
Check out the feature with Metal maniacs editor-in-chief Mike Greenblatt: https://scarsandguitars.podbean.com/e/mike-greenblatt-metal-maniacs-magazine/ 

Jacob Binzer (D.A.D.)

Ahead of the group’s Australian shows, Jacob Binzer of D.A.D. discusses the band’s iconic Spaghetti Western sound and blending punk and rock roots for a potential film score. He explores the possibility of inventing a new genre for D.A.D., reflects on a hypothetical jam with icons Django Reinhardt and Jimi Hendrix, balancing humour and sincerity in songwriting.
D-A-D Greatest Hits Tour May 2025 Australian Dates
Tuesday 20th May - Perth, Rosemount Hotel
Thursday 22nd May - Brisbane, The Triffid
Friday 23rd May - Sydney, Manning Bar
Saturday 24th May - Melbourne, Northcote Theatre
Tickets
From: https://metropolistouring.com/d-a-d-2025/

Sean Hynes (Ingested)

Sean discusses vocalist Jay Evans's recent departure from the band, his on-stage monitoring setup for the Australian shows, how Ingested’s music confronts or reflects digital distraction and transient trends, political and social themes, and more.
INGESTED with ALGOR MORTIS performing at:
July 24th - Melbourne, Max Watts w/ Algor Mortis, Gutless, Growth
July 25th – Sydney, Crowbar, w/ Algor Mortis, Slaughtercult, Gosika
July 26th - Brisbane, Cold Day Festival, The Triffid
 
TICKETS ON SALE NOW:
MELBOURNE, SYDNEY – www.oztix.com.au
BRISBANE - www.moshtix.com.au
www.facebook.com/ingesteduk
www.facebook.com/algormortisau
www.swdpresents.com

Helena Kotina (Nervosa)

This conversation with Helena Kotina takes place during Nervosa's Australian tour. They are playing in Sydney on April 18 (tonight!), so head over if you are in town. Other dates are below. 
Consider this chat a 'coffee table' introduction to Helena, one of the most exciting emerging guitarists in metal today. Topics covered include Helena's experience joining Nervosa and navigating cultural and musical differences to shape the band’s sound on the new album, Jailbreak. We also cover the influence of classic rock and heavy metal on crafting thrash metal riffs, and the impact of transitioning to a quintet on songwriting and live performances. We discuss the collaborative songwriting process for Jailbreak, lessons from performing with metal icons, and much more. 
Nervosa Australian tour dates left in the schedule: 
MELBOURNE - NORTHCOTE SOCIAL CLUB - SAT 19 APRILhttp://tickets.melbournetickets.com.au/outlet/event/28162447-c9e6-4df6-bd4e-5134e37a178d?accessCode=masonBRISBANE - CROWBAR - SUN 20 APRILBrisbane's leading Thrash exponents ASYLUMhttp://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/162a41e7-943e-45c0-b730-b1253b5601c0?accessCode=asylum

Kelly Garni (Quiet Riot/ Randy Rhoads tribute)

This discussion with Kelly offers a unique chance to explore lesser-known or under-researched facets of Randy Rhoads, including Kelly's insights on the relationship between the Osbournes and Randy, and much more.
A TRIBUTE TO RANDY RHOADS - in Australia 
Kelly is joined by musicians from Van Hagar, and Snake Bite Whisky, this event brings Randy Rhoads’ iconic classics from his Quiet Riot and Ozzy Osbourne eras to life. Alongside performances, intimate Q&A sessions will explore his remarkable life and artistry.
Event Dates & Locations:
Friday, December 5: Crowbar, Brisbane
Sunday, December 7: Harbour Cruise, Sydney (Celebrating Randy’s US Birthday)
Tuesday, December 9: Max Watts, Melbourne
Featuring Special Guest:VAN HAGAR
Tickets Available at www.XMusic.au  or click here: Brisbane | Sydney | Melbourne

Antoinette Anstis

Antoinette Anstis is the wife of the late Stuart Anstis, and she joins the show to discuss his career, legacy and much more. Stuart shaped Cradle of Filth’s most pivotal era, and throughout the chat, Antoinette recounts his early days with the band, offering her perspective on its dynamics during his tenure. Antoinette shares her thoughts on Stuart’s relationships with bandmates Nick, Dan, and Les and provides a nuanced account of his departure. She also covers his later projects, including work with Metal Church’s David Wayne and a sliding doors moment with Rob Halford. Additionally, she discusses what happened to the music featured on the demos Stuart created as a potential successor to Cruelty and the Beast. Antoinette shares personal anecdotes and insights, drawing on her unique perspective as his spouse to reveal Stuart’s character, shedding light on the mind of a guitarist whose contributions are iconic in metal history. Many other funny and personal topics are also addressed in this conversation, which will be compelling for everyone who has heard the iconic episode featuring Stuart.
Check out all the conversations with current, alums and associates of Cradle of Filth here: https://scarsandguitars.com/cradle-of-filth-conversations/

Dennis Mikula (Ghost Bath)

Throughout this discussion with Dennis Mikula of Ghost Bath, we focused on their album Rose Thorn Necklace and topics such as the shift from previous work, lyrical themes of mourning and death, collaborations, the album's title duality, the impact of early anonymity, the transition to a collaborative band, artwork choices, navigating criticism and trolling assumptive commentators. 
Watch 'Well, I Tried Drowning' music video:https://youtu.be/GkB8vC8kbEUPre-order & pre-save Rose Thorn Necklace:https://ghostbath.bfan.link/rose-thorn-necklace-album
Stream 'Well, I Tried Drowning':https://ghostbath.bfan.link/well-i-tried-drowning
 

Celeste Bojczuk (GhostSeeker)

GhostSeeker vocalist Celeste Bojczuk discusses the creative process behind their album Divergence. She addresses the album’s title, collaboration with new label ROAR, the shift in sound from “Initium Novum, and recording techniques. Celeste also talks about the partnership with Daniel Breen, the challenges of performing specific tracks, the influence of external producers, lyrical inspirations, the impact of Australian and international bands, and strategies for navigating creative differences. Additionally, the episode goes into Celeste’s journey as a vocalist, the formation of GhostSeeker, vocal techniques, and artists who’ve shaped her style.
Watch ‘Wake Up (Imposter)’ here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxE78ndDg1E
Watch ‘Interment’ here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07gZELH0wAw
For More Info Visit:https://www.facebook.com/ghostseekerau https://www.instagram.com/ghostseekerau https://twitter.com/GhostSeekerau?s=09 https://www.tiktok.com/@ghostseekerau https://www.youtube.com/@ghostseeker2375
 

Steve Hughes (Comedian/ Nazxul/ Slaughter Lord)

The great Steve Hughes discusses a range of social, political, and cultural topics ahead of his shows in Queensland. He addresses the long-term impacts of economic inequality on working-class communities, the influence of censorship and free speech debates on public discourse, and the emergence of leftist populist movements as indicators of systemic issues. Steve also shares his views on how technology, including AI, and his observations on handling mental health challenges in contemporary society. As a comedian, he reflects on the most significant unspoken issues facing humanity today. Additionally, Steve explores his musical background, detailing how his time with Slaughter Lord contributed to Australia’s thrash metal scene in the 1980s and reflects on his work with cult black metal outfit Nazxul in the 1990s
Steve Hughes will perform in Queensland at the following venues: Thursday, May 8, 2025, at The Sit Down Comedy Club in Brisbane, QLD; Friday, May 9, 2025, at Fitzy's in Loganholme, QLD; and Saturday, May 10, 2025, at the Wallaby Hotel in Mudgeeraba, QLD. Tickets are available here: https://www.stevehughes.net/