stress

Interview with Stuart Wood from the Giants. March 2018

Posted on: March 14th, 2018 by Greg Jordan 2 Comments

Today i had the pleasure of interviewing Giants lead singer Stuart Wood. Stu is an Australian music legend and is about to embark on a tour of the north of Australia with the Repeat Offenders.

– G’day Stu. Welcome to Metal Health and thanks for being here.

– What does good mental health mean to you?

I guess just being able to cope with everyday life and all it throws at you both good and bad .

– How is life for you off the road or when you’re not gigging? Espe-cially after a tour or big event, is it difficult to adjust back into life at home after time on the road? If so, how do you adjust/cope?

There is always a come down period after touring, especially re adjusting to home after touring overseas. Friends and family are the best asset we have in this case.

– What motivates you? What keeps you going?

My love of music has always kept me going, I knew from a very early age that I was different, growing up in a country town where everything revolved around sport, I tried to conform and played footy and basketball but I knew deep inside that my heart just wasn’t in it , music however could take me to that special place where only I and other like minded musicians could go, and still does to this day!

– Are you a positive thinker? How do you stay positive?

Most definitely a positive thinker lol , in my line of work you have to be! Mainly because my band has existed for 36 years, made 16 Albums, 4 DVDs , spent 5 years touring the USA, 15 years touring Europe and all of this was created by me personally, no agents, no publicists, no management at all, and its still that way to this day !

– That’s an incredible track record!

Have you experienced any tough times personally that you’d be okay talking about? If so, how are you/how did you get through this.

Ha ha I could write a book about tough times lol , born illegitimate the day after my mothers 18th birthday , mistreated by my stepfather , taken away from my mother for my own safety and raised by my grand parents ! And that’s just the tip of the iceberg lol .Music played a very big role in my early teenage years and looking back probably saved me from a life of crime lol,  I joined an outlaw motor-cycle club for 9 years as a substitute for family, but music took me away from that cos of its stronger pull. Lucky for me! Lol. As I said I could write a book on tough times but in the end you have to just be tough and work through it.

– What does making music mean to you? Why do you do it?

Music is my life, I cant imagine living without it, the places it has taken me and the friends I have made because of it is just awesome.

– When did you start making music? Was it like finding some buried treasure that you didn’t know you had, and how did making music fit in with the rest of your life?

Started out playing covers like most people do , then Wayne Burt (ex Daddy Cool , Jo Jo Zep , Black Sorrows) joined my band and he already was a renowned songwriter , he showed me the way in my learning curve about expressing myself thru songwriting. When we became an original band writing our own songs the world opened its doors for us .

– How important is it for the bass guitar and drums to be tight, and where do you see guitar and voice fitting in the groove?

The hardest thing to find in Australia is a rhythm section that works together lol , in the USA especially in Nashville Tn , where incidently we had the main street Broadway shut down so we could perform there , the drums and bass are like one holding the groove of the song together . The secret of the Nashville sound was revealed to me from Bruce Bossert (Nashville PA and Stage) when he told me in a live mix situation the hi-hats and and Acoustic guitar sits dead centre in the the mix and everything works off them! For me a song is a story , guitar solos compliment the story for a short time , but its all about the story and how well the singer puts it across.

– Some great insight right there. How was the recording process for your last record? Did you bang it down live, or record an instrument at a time etc?

Lol we just finished one recorded in my garage put down basically live.

– Cool! Look forward to hearing it. So what are your plans? Some more touring or any dates you can mention? I know you’re about to tour with the Repeat Offenders. You and the fans must be looking forward to that!

We go north every year to the NT , to get outa Melbournes winter lol and yes we look forward to that

– Any other projects musical or otherwise happening?

Not really. Australia is just full on tribute band country now and I want to travel back to europe again to catch up with my musical mates there before I get too old lol, maybe next year!

– Ok, last question! What would you say to fans who are struggling with their mental health, or doing it tough at the moment?

My brother Bruce took his own life 12 years ago, I lived 5 mins from him, he didn’t call for help, destroyed my mother and his family, he was gone, only left pain, broken hearts and sadness and anger behind, so TALK TO SOMEONE !!

– Thanks for taking the time to talk with us Stu. Wishing you safe travels, and all the best with the upcoming shows. Greg \Mh/.

Look out for Stu’s latest album ‘Songs from Mataranka homestead 2.

Links to band http://www.thegiants.com.au

https://www.facebook.com/The-Giants-86734061377/

 

Heavy metal is good for our mental health

Posted on: February 23rd, 2018 by Greg Jordan No Comments

Greetings everyone,

We know metal is good for us, and here’s a news story from Australia’s ABC news supporting this. Well done to Liam Frost-Camilleri for organising the Beyond black gig in Ballarat, Australia which saw bands raise money for the mental health organisation Beyond blue. Here’s the link to the story – Greg \MH/

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-19/heavy-metal-helps-soothe-the-soul/9450576

Mental health in our schools

Posted on: November 27th, 2017 by Greg Jordan No Comments

Greetings friends,

Mental health in our schools. What’s happening? Here is a report from Australia’s ABC news mentioning rising instances of anxiety, depression, cyber bullying with our school kids, and it’s showing up in primary schools in kids as young as 10.

Senior psychologist Beth Matters sees the unique challenges for teens first-hand in her work at the public high school in Canberra’s north. She said cyber bullying and stress, particularly regarding exams, were a major concern for students. And she said while anxiety and depression had increased in the past five years, there had been a decrease in some behavioural disturbances such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Ms Matters said mental health was “everyone’s business” beyond the final classroom bell.”

“http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-27/schools-at-crisis-point-mental-health-concerns-among-students/9192386?WT.mc_id=newsmail&WT.tsrc=Newsmail

World Mental Health day 10th. October

Posted on: October 9th, 2017 by Greg Jordan No Comments

Greetings friend,

Hope all’s well with you. It’s Mental health awareness week in Australia, along with World Mental health day on October 10th every year. Here’s a podcast i did late September 2017 with my mate Matt where we talk a little about good mental health, and the week ahead.

 

Interview with Adam Agius of Levitation Hex. September 2017

Posted on: September 13th, 2017 by Greg Jordan 2 Comments

 

 

Greetings friends. Hope you’re good.

I went to Australia’s capital Canberra on Sunday September 3rd and met with local metal music legend Adam Argius. Adam was very generous to give me his time especially on such short notice. He was front man for Aussie metal band Alchemist, and now fronts Levitation Hex. Follow the link below to the podcast of our chat. Take it easy. Greg \MH/

The Levitation Hex Music page links: 

http://levitationhex.net

https://www.facebook.com/The-Levitation-Hex-170038509738897/

 

 

Chester Bennington singer with Linkin Park dies age 41.

Posted on: July 21st, 2017 by Greg Jordan No Comments

Sad news today from Los Angeles U.S.A. Linkin Park vocalist Chester Bennington has died age 41. Police report death by suicide. Chester was on tour with his band and sang at Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell’s funeral only in May of this year. Our condolences to Chesters family. He leaves behind his wife Talinda, and 6 kids. See attached media report.

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/chester-bennington-dead-linkin-park-singer-cause-death-suicide-hanging-dies-age-band-nu-metal-latest-a7851916.html

Mental health support – U.K. For confidential support call the Samaritans in the UK on 116 123, visit a local Samaritans branch or visit their website. U.S.A. In the US call 1-800-273-TALK. Australia. In Australia call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Interview – Within These Walls. June 2017.

Posted on: June 29th, 2017 by Greg Jordan 1 Comment

Greetings reader. I had a nice yap to Within these Walls from Tasmania, Australia earlier today. See below  –

 

METAL HEALTH INTERVIEW with Within these Walls. June 2017.

– Hello Kelly, vocalist from Australian band Within these Walls, Welcome to Metal health and thanks for being here.

“Hey Greg, glad to be here, thank you for taking the time to chat.”

– What does good mental health mean to you?

“Good mental health means a lot to both myself and the band. We have all had ups and downs in our lives, (as have a lot of people) so we really understand the importance of hanging onto that good mindset, or mentality. Remembering that it can often be hard at times, yes. But also remembering that with the right people around you and the right mindset, you can overcome almost any obstacle.”

– How is life for you off the road or when you’re not gigging? Especially after a tour or big event, is it difficult to adjust back into life at home after time on the road? If so, how do you adjust/cope?

“I think its always hard coming out of a show and sitting back down to work or study. And that doesn’t really just apply for travel sometimes. even after a local show we will all be really hyped up for the afternoon and we will hang out and what not, but then that first day back at work/study afterwards is so daunting. Mainly because you just wish you were out there doing it again!”

– What motivates you? What keeps you going?

“For a lot of us in the band i feel its the enjoyment of it all. When we play we all have fun, we all enjoy being in the studio and we all love getting together for practice all for that one reason. We enjoy it. And i think it’s that passion for music we all share that really holds the band together.”

– Are you a positive thinker? How do you stay positive?

“I’d like to think that i am a positive sort of guy, yeah. And i guess the way i do it is by attempting to hold onto the little things that keep you smiling, and i mean that could be anything. It could even change from day to day, but there is always something there to swing me into a good mood!”

– Have you experienced any tough times personally that you’d be okay talking about? If so, how are you/did you get through this.

“Yeah of course, all of us in the band at some stage have experienced some rough times. Be that loss of loved ones or loss of self value. However we all managed to overcome that by keeping our heads up, finding a family member or friend and remember that things get better. Always”

– What does making music mean for you? Why do you do it?

“For me personally its both Therapeutic and enjoyable, being able to create stories lyrically or lay my thoughts out on paper is great and hearing it come together in a mix is even better. But i know for all of us it is just a great feeling to look at, and listen to something that you and 4 of your best mates created. Its always a great time.”

– I Enjoyed listening to the track ‘Conformity’, from your upcoming album ‘Life’. A real solid straight ahead track, and loved your vocals. How was the recording process for this record (and album)? Did you bang it down live, or record an instrument at a time etc?

“Thanks, Greg. Glad you enjoyed the track! Well, for Conformity, myself and our Guitarist Stephan, tracked all the guitar, bass and vocal parts to the drum file that our Drummer, Malikye, had programmed. After this I took it away and began mixing until I arrived at the product you hear today! As far as the LP goes, however, we will be re-tracking mixing and mastering that track when we reach it in the studio.”

 

So what are your plans? Some more touring or any dates you can mention? I see on your FB page you have a launch on July 20th at the Royal Oak in Launceston for ‘Conformity’. Any other projects musical or otherwise happening?

“Outside of the upcoming Oak show, we are currently hoping to win a support slot for a show with Deez Nuts, Alpha Wolf and Majula, which we are all really excited about. And we have a few other things brewing behind the scenes in regards to live shows. We are also hoping to release another single from our upcoming LP which we have been working on in the background. So keep an eye out for those!”

 

– Ok, last question! What would you say to fans who are struggling with their mental health, or doing it tough at the moment?

“It gets better. Just remember that no matter how bad things get, there is always someone out there who loves you and is willing to help you through what you are dealing with. And with their support and your strong mind you will make the best of this life, we all can”

– Thanks Kelly for taking the time to talk with us. Wishing you safe travels, and all the best with the album. Greg \Mh/.

“Thank you very much for having us, Greg. It was a pleasure”

 

Thanks again to the Kelly and the band. below are some links to the bands music. Enjoy!

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/WithinTheseWallsTas/

You tube –