GOATZILLA set to slay Rock Is Not Dead
The heart of Australia’s rock scene is set to beat louder and stronger this February as the Rock Is Not Dead Festival rolls into The Koala Tavern, Capalaba Qld on February 1st. Organised by the passionate Rock Is Not Dead group, this event will be a celebration of Aussie rock culture with a fierce determination to revive our Rock music scene. We caught up with Australian Hard rock band GOATZILLA to see what punters can do to support the cause, who they want to share the stage with at Rock Is Not Dead and what fans can expect from their set.
You are one of the acts announced for the very first Rock Is Not Dead Festival happening in Capalaba, Queensland on the 1st of February. Are you looking forward to joining this all-Australian Rock line-up?
We’re totally stoked! Its great to have a rock-centric festival back in Queensland.
“Rock Is Not Dead is going to start to rekindle a sense of community and build connections with fans and the bands”
Rock Is Not Dead aims to raise awareness of the amazing Rock bands and talent we have in Australia, do you think events like this are important in supporting the growth and recognition of the genre?
Absolutely. There are a lot of killer local rock bands, and we’ve been lucky enough to play with a lot of them on this bill over the years so we know how good this day will be! The Punk and Metal communities here in Queensland are awesome and provide really strong support for rock acts, but there haven’t been many dedicated Rock events like this for a long time. Rock Is Not Dead is going to start to rekindle a sense of community and build connections with fans and the bands - we lost a lot as a result of COVID, and this is an important step to help us rebuild.
What other ways can music fans help support our fabulous rock bands and artists?
1. Go to local gigs - and bring friends! Venues put on local bands for one reason only - to sell beer. If we can’t help the venues do that, bands have got nowhere to play and the next ACDC or Rose Tattoo may never get to where they deserve. Get a group of workmates along to see some bands with you - worst-case scenario is you have an excuse for a night out. Best case is you help someone discover their new favourite band and a passion for live music! You’d be surprised by the number of people who have NEVER been to a live local music show. Be their first!
2. Get active on band socials - like stuff, comment on it, share it on your page and to groups. The Algorithms are really harsh these days and even if you’ve got thousands of followers, a post on a band page might get a few dozen impressions because they want you to pay for boosts. It’s no good being the next Airborne if no one knows you exist.
3. Buy Merch! Vinyl! CD’s! It’s not just the money for the bands - it’s no secret that no one gets rich out of the local music scene - we do it for the love of creating music and performing, and something as simple as buying a T-Shirt is a big physical vote of appreciation to the band that says “yeah you rock, keep it up” and gives them the drive to keep going in what’s a notoriously tough environment.
“we’ll be pumped, on point, and full of juice, ready to go off!”
How do you prepare yourself for a festival event like Rock Is Not Dead? Practice, agree on a setlist, make sure we know what gear we need to bring, test it all to make sure its working properly, test backup gear in case, get on the socials and drum up a crowd!
What can punters expect from your upcoming performance at The Koala Tavern? We’re coming off the back of our album launch tour with some top bands in Sydney and Melbourne, so we’ll be pumped, on point, and full of juice, ready to go off! Lots of new tracks off the album and a couple of old favourites.
If you could jump on stage and collaborate with any artist or band from the Rock Is Not Dead line-up, who would it be and why?
Argh is all of them an acceptable answer? Avalanche has got that amazing ACDC vibe, Tailor Made Rejects are seriously talented musos and songwriters, Black Whiskey and Stone Rising have killer riffs, and Snake Bite Whisky makes you feel as high as a 1986 Motley Crue gig just watching them! I haven’t had the chance to see Slythr or Whiskey on the Rox yet but am keen as.
What’s your favourite song from your back catalogue to play live and why?
Dropbear. Especially to people who’ve never heard it before. IYKYK.
“Getting live performance pointers from someone who’s played to 100,000-strong stadium audiences was game-changing”
What's your favourite festival memory either as a scheduled act or as an attendee?
Playing Fuzz Fest on the Gold Coast in 2016 - another local gig. We had just started out and had Pete Mengede (founding member of US Alt Rockers Helmet) playing guitar with us at the time. He is a truly amazing musician. Getting live performance pointers from someone who’s played to 100,000-strong stadium audiences was game-changing. The whole festival was brilliant and fun with a huge friendly vibe and the room just went nuts. Fortunately, we were able to find not one but two guitarists of his standard after he left so Rock Is Not Dead is in for a treat.
Do you have a message for the punters who are heading to Rock Is Not Dead in February?
Arrive early, bring your mates, and stay with us to close out the night - you will LOVE this !!!
Tickets: https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/ed6cd600-0002-4eb2-963c-ea6e6683140a
Event link: www.youtube.com/@rockisnotdead7
Event Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockisnotdeadaus/
