American metal rockers Red Fang are currently in the country in the midst of a world tour, having performed at Cherry Rock over the weekend at  AC/DC Lane, blowing punters away with their brutal brand of heavy rock.

Familiar with our great land, Red Fang traveled to Australia back in 2013 to play Soundwave Festival sharing sideshows with fellow rock legends Kyuss.

If you missed Cherry Rock 2015 this year, no stress there’s still a chance to see guys as they roll about the country playing in Brissy tonight and wrapping up their tour with at show at The Prince Bandroom on the 15th.

To celebrate their visit, we chatted to the guys about some of the records that changed their lives, check ’em out below.

Soundgarden – Louder than Love

1989, A&M Records
“I bought an issue of “musician” magazine because Metallica were on the cover.  It happened to feature a list of the 50 best metal bands you had never heard of, and Soundgarden were on the list and sounded the most interesting to me.

When I first started playing guitar in a band at 15 or 16 years old, I was not technically good enough to play like Metallica. The general approach of grunge seemed much more accessible to me. So it basically made me feel confident enough to be able to make my own music.” (Aaron Beam)

The Fucking Champs – Triumph of the Air Elementals

1994, Independent
“I saw them play in the mail room at Reed College in 1994. I bought the tape from them right after the show.

The Fucking Champs re-established metal in my life. During my university years I slipped away a little and started exploring weirder music and more punk than metal. They also taught me that it was possible to write sophisticated, intelligent music that would also appeal to the masses. However, this was a bad lesson, because though it was possible for them, I am not musically gifted enough to pull it off, though I spent many years trying in vain.” (Aaron Beam)

Metallica – Kill ‘Em All

1983, Megaforce Records
“I was just starting to get into fast, heavy music, and this album quickly became my gold standard.

I had the cassette and I would walk all over my neighborhood blasting it from my Hitachi boom box.

It was a killer soundtrack to all the mischief that 12 year old boy get into. I lit a lot of fires and threw a lot of knives at trees listening to this album.” (John Sherman)

Flaming Lips – Hit To Death In The Future Head

1992, Warner Bros. Records
“I probably discovered this record in the summer of 1994.

The summer after graduating high school my musical world really opened up, with some psychedelic help. All of the sudden I could appreciate more than just fast, angry punk and thrash. This album is supper poppy, pretty psychedelic, and somehow really heavy. This was the soundtrack to many long, beautiful, trippy nights and I still get chills when I hear it.” (John Sherman)

Trouble – Psalm 9


1984, Metal Blade
When you discovered it: “Early 90’s.”

This record is very heavy, Black Sabbath worship, doomy, super bad ass metal guitar work, and amazing vocals. I guess it was the first album I heard that I’d consider “doom”.

It just made me want to play guitar.” (David Sullivan)

Pere Ubu – Modern Dance

1978, Blank
“I discovered this record in high school a friend gave me a mix tape with a bunch of “punk” stuff on it and the song “Non-Alignment Pact” was on there. I loved the song so I sought out the album.

Why/ how it changed your live/ how you appreciate music: Weird is good. Noise is good. Not your typical stuff. It’s kinda industrial meets punk rock with really freaky yet soulful vocals. It made me realize music can be harsh and ugly and beautiful at the same time.” (David Sullivan)

Red Fang Tour Dates

May 12 Crowbar Brisbane, Australia
May 13 Crowbar Brisbane, Australia
May 14 The Manning Bar Sydney, Australia
May 15 The Prince Bandroom St. Kilda, Australia

Tickets and info at www.redfang.net

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