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Interview with Larry Paterson, drummer for Alcatrazz.

Posted on: May 31st, 2023 by Greg Jordan No Comments

– Greetings Larry. Welcome to Metal Health and thanks for being here. 

It’s my pleasure, on behalf of the other guys in the band 😊 I hasten to add that I can only speak from my point of view here, so the other guys may not think quite the same.

– No worries. Firstly, thank you for all the great music over the years. It is a soundtrack to many people’s lives, past and present.    Congratulations on your new single ‘Battlelines’ from the album ‘Take no prisoners’. Some powerful, thumping, melodic style metal. I love this quote from your you tube channel notes for ‘Battlefield’ – ‘there can be no question that Alcatrazz’s collective boot is repeatedly kicking serious ass!!!’ Indeed!

– What does good mental health mean to you?

Wow, that’s a tough and expansive question. It means many things I guess, summed up by the ability to wake up every morning and look forward to what’s coming that day. It means maintaining enthusiasm for your life and the world you inhabit – not just the professional world that you’re part of, but everything that’s around you. 

–  How is life for you off the road or when you’re not gigging? Especially after a tour or a big gig. Is it difficult to adjust back into life at home after time on the road? Or after an inspiring recording session? If so, how do you adjust/cope? Of course, covid turned the world upside down. How did you handle the worldwide pandemic shutdowns? 

Life off the road often feels, for me anyway, like something is missing. Music has always been an integral part of my life and being in a working band has been the centre of my world for more years than I can remember. Long tours can be difficult at times because you live in something of a bizarre little bubble. EVERYTHING revolves around the gig, and the entire day is headed toward that singular purpose. It’s a weird existence in which there is a comfortable routine – travelling, soundchecks, eating schedules etc – and yet everything is also completely different because you never know what may happen or how you may wake up feeling that day.  Getting home after a long tour can be really odd. One minute you’re in close proximity to all these people that mean so much to you, playing music that keeps your blood pumping, next minute you’re on the train heading back from the airport on your own and the laminate pass no longer works. Ha ha! You go from rock and roll breakfasts, stage times and dressing rooms to cleaning cat litter off the floor again. It can sometimes take a few days to get your head back into the game at home. What makes an absolute world of difference is if you have relationships with people – friends or partners – who get it. People who understand the drive that you have to stay in a band when it can seem like the most insane lifestyle decisions anybody can ever make. There’s no money, there’s frequent criticism that can often amount to personal attacks, there’s constant self-doubt that can get quite debilitating, but then there is the moment of truth on stage where the entire world makes sense for a change.  Blackie Lawless once summed it up when he said that if you don’t NEED it, if you can live without being in a band playing music, then give it up immediately. It has to be WHO you are. Not what you do, but who you really are.   

The pandemic hit everybody, many way worse than it impacted me. I lost friends to it and saw families really suffering from its effect. But it also hurt musicians the world over, especially when you had rich idiot politicians shrugging you off and telling ‘entertainers’ to just retrain as carers or whatever. What a bunch of pricks! Sadly, the fallout is continuing for bands, particularly economically. Costs have skyrocketed as everybody tries to claw back what they lost. It’s harder than ever in that sense.  

-What motivates you? What keeps you going?


The very fact that music and playing drums is my identity. It’s not just a hobby, it’s not just a job. It’s a core identity that I feel completely lost without. When you are in a good band, and particularly when you are writing music together, you get those moments when the planets align, and the hairs stand up on your arm and you know that you’ve tapped into something special. I remember writing sessions for a few albums that I’m on which had those moments. You never lose that feeling. And there’s nothing like it! 

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

I think everybody does. In music it hits you either when you have no band or when you are in a band, but with people that don’t need it like you do. People happy to sit on their arse and let ‘the greatness’ come to them. I’ve had moments where you properly melt down because you’ve left a band that no longer was working like it was and you’re suddenly adrift. There was a period not that long ago when lots of personal stuff was coming undone and I left one situation and suddenly struggled to find anything else that worked. I drifted in and out of bands, some of which were terrible, purely because I needed to be playing and writing. But finding the right people to work with is incredibly difficult, as the right band is not only a musical fit, but a personal one too. If you end up having personal issues with another band member, then you have big problems.

How did I get through it? With a lot of help. It was, frankly, very depressing. I ended up on happy pills for a while, which totally suck. Fortunately for me I have the best partner and she helped a lot, and some of the best friends a person could ever wish for. They all helped. I was doing my best to face up to the idea that I was never going to be part of another decent band, and without that there just seemed to be a gaping void in my life that nothing could fill. It’s ironic really, because I’m also an author and a diving instructor. But the reality is that while I’m diving – and I do love teaching scuba – I’m always thinking of heavy metal and always feel like I’m a headbanger doing a job. When I’m drumming, I don’t care if I even see a puddle of water, let alone be diving. Music just rolls over everything – which is a curse for many people around you, as it can become an incredible single-minded and selfish pursuit in many ways. The same with writing books. I love it and take great care to tell people’s wartime experiences as accurately as I can, but I can stop writing. What I can’t stop doing is wanting to play music.

When it became a possibility that ‘the dream’ was over, you do get some pretty dark thoughts and it’s hard to drag yourself out of the slump you find yourself in. But, like I say, I am lucky to have amazing – and VERY patient – people around me. 

Fortunately, and with a lot of help, I found my way through that particularly tangled path.         

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

Everything. It means everything. Why do I do it? Because it’s who I am. It’s my identity. And not just music, but heavy music: heavy metal. It’s part of my DNA. There have been times when I wish it wasn’t! Ha ha!

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

Oh yeah it really was like finding treasure! My mate Beam and I l started in bands at about 14 years old or so and we left our homes in sleepy old Blenheim, New Zealand, at 17 to become metal musicians in Christchurch. We played a bit, but it never came to anything. However, that set the seal on our lives from that point on.  Moved to the UK…had a zillion ups and downs…but it all just cemented music as what I really need. Sadly, it doesn’t fit the rest of my life. The rest of my life has to fit it! Ha ha! Like I said, it can be an incredibly selfish and single-minded pursuit.  

-How important is it for the bass guitar and drums to be tight, or loose, and where do you see Guitar, Keys, and Voice fitting in the groove? How are you enjoying being part of the engine room, laying down the groove? 

It’s everything having tight bass and drums. That’s the foundation of a band’s sound and it needs to be solid. Without that, you’re building a house on quicksand. I love being the engine room. It’s fair to say that Alcatrazz is a different band to every one I have been in previously, but the role remains the same. Lay down the foundations and let the others build it up from there. Funnily enough I’ve always worked closest with whoever plays the tightest rhythm guitar. I never have bass in monitors as you can ‘feel’ it when it’s right. But I have lots of rhythm guitar, which in our case is Jimmy’s keys, and Joe of course. Plus I have vocals – usually out of curiosity to see where they are going. Ha ha! That’s a not a dig at Doogie…it’s a dig at ALL vocalists I’ve worked with! 😉


-What was the recording process for ‘Battlelines’ and the new album? Did you record it live, or record an instrument at a time etc? I love Joe’s subtle, cool use of  wah wah on the solo for Battlefield. It’s a ripper! The drums and bass are solid and driving, keys tasteful, strong and supportive, and Doogie rips your head off beautifully with his vocal attack.


It was recorded in pieces individually. Not a preferred way of doing it, but circumstances kind of forced it. However, I honestly believe that it doesn’t sound like it was recorded that way. Basically, everybody has their shit together and it fits into place as intended.  

-What are your plans?  I know you have a new album ‘Take no prisoners’. Some more touring this year, or any dates you  can mention?  Did you showcase some new songs on the recent tour with Girlschool? It must’ve been a blast.


It’s always a blast touring with Girlschool. They’re cool. So far we’ve only done one new track. We will be doing lots more, and we hopefully have some South and North American dates this year, as well as a single French festival. It’s a little sparse at the moment which is a royal pain in the arse! We NEED to get on the road and back on stage!! 

-Ok, last question. What would you say to fans who are struggling with their mental health, or finding life difficult at the moment?


Most importantly…talk to somebody. People help, they really do. If you don’t feel you can talk to family or friends, then an anonymous and non-judgmental voice from a doctor or some kind of counselling or help centre can genuinely help. It’s not weak. It’s real.
The world has a lot of bastards in it that will try to knock you down at every opportunity. But it also has the opposite. There are a lot of people who will do their best to lift you up when you fall. Don’t throw your problems on social media! That can be a toxic, poisonous place to be. Talk to somebody. Face to face…or at least one to one. Tomorrow is always worth seeing. 

-Thanks  Larry for taking the time to talk with us.

Band music links: https://www.alcatrazzofficial.com/

You tube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnLCCQe68LpSPWIwm-Dx14w

Larry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seakrieg/

Greg \MH/

Interview with Brazillian metal legends Melyra – February 2019

Posted on: March 2nd, 2019 by Greg Jordan No Comments

Ola friends. I just interviewed Brazillian heavy metal legends Melyra via email. Not only are they a brutal and musically skilled band, they are a delight to talk with. Read on – 


– Ola Melyra! Welcome to Metal Health and thanks for being here.

– Firstly, congratulations for recently being recognised as number one band out of the top five female bands for the website O subsolo. Wow!

Fe: Thank you Greg! And Thanks a lot for having us for this interview, we are very happy about it!

– What does good mental health mean to you?

Fe: Good mental health for us is when you are happy with who you are. Even though we all have problems, when you are sure you’re in the right path and you’re sure about your beliefs you can rest your head on the pillow at night and wake up the other day ready to fight.

–  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?

Fe: Well, all of us have other occupations beside music. So, for us, is easy to change from “musician mode” to “regular people” mode when we’re not playing because we do it often.

– What motivates you? What keeps you going?

Fe: MUSIC! We’re passionate for music and we love what we do. To be at the stage and know that the songs we’ve created touched someone’s life is the best sensation ever!

– Are you all positive thinkers? How do you stay positive?

Fe: In general, yes we are. As I said before, we all have problems though. The beauty of being a band is that, when one of us is down, the other always help this one to cheer up again. We always see each other as family.

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

Fe: Everybody knows that we’re experiencing tough times here in Brazil. We all have been into financial crises during the past/current year. To overcome this we always rely on each other. In this band we see each others as sisters, we feel comfortable to talk about our issues and we help each others to solve them.

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

Fe: When we make music, we are the best version of ourselves. It’s how we express our feelings and feel free. We do it so we can spread our message to the world and, maybe, help other people to feel better about life and inspire them to find their better selves.

– I know the band formed in 2012, but when did you  start making music individually? 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?

Fe: I always loved music, but I only started to play the guitar in my 20’s. Before Melyra, I had another band where I helped as a songwriter, but was still trying to find my way to do it. I think Melyra helped me to show my best to the world.

Nena: I come from a musicians family, my father was a guitar palyer and songwriter and I used to join him in rehearsals and saw him playing all the time. My house and my relatives’ houses were always full of music, so it was very natural to me.

Roberta: My family is also full of musicians and my mom is a songwriter so I live this life since I was young. I saw her making music, learned how she did it and it was automatically taking part of myself. I’ve improved it over time and keep improving it every day.

Verônica: I sing since I’m little girl at the church. Around 8 years ago I was at a Karaoke night with my friends and I met a maestro and two musicians there. Since that I started to sing professionally. I’ve played several different styles and made a lot of friends on that road. Nowadays I live for music!

Drika: My father and almost all his family are musicians. My love for music comes from the childhood. Sundays were the best days, when my dad was at home, because he used to watch his jazz VHS and I was fascinated by the drummer’s brushes. I’ve started to play drums at 8 years old and it was all very natural. In 2002, the drummer of my father’s gospel band left the band and I said that I would replace him. I knew all the songs and watched all the rehearsals at the drummer’s side. I just loved it! And so it was. The first time I played, people liked it and I was the drummer for my father’s band for a while, until I had my own band.

– I have just been listening to your  new album ‘Saving you from reality’ and some live performances on your website. Veronica, you are badass with such a great strong vocal tone. Lot’s of body and depth, and when you go high, it’s something else again! How do you look after your voice? I love the single ‘Dead light’ and the lyrics. ‘A black spot with dead light’. I can relate to that in times past!

Verônica: Thanks a lot for the compliment! I study a lot ! I’m very tough with myself. The voice is an instrument you can’t replace so it needs lots care and attention, avoiding things like cigarettes, alcohol, acid foods, etc. Besides that, I take lyrical singing lessons, that helps me to reach and sustain the notes, keep in tune and breathe better witch helps me to take care of my voice.

– Strong, blistering and precise guitar work from Fe and Roberta, and also from the solid grooving rhythm section.

Roberta:  I love playing with Fernanda! We have an unexplainably perfect tuning. The way we connect helps a lot when it comes to writing guitar themes because we fill each others ideas. She inspires me this mutual feeling and we both understand the most important thing that is studying our instruments.

– Drika, I look forward to hearing you on the next record. How are you settling into the band?

Drika: It’s very easy to set into Melyra! I’ve just came across four women that know what they want and what they want to reach, with an amazing potential to get all of our goals. What fascinated me, besides the high standards in music, feeling, geniality and love for music, was exactly that. We don’t wait for things to happen, we make them happen. This, for me, is the magical element that will take us wherever we want to go.

– Nena, i note you play fingerstyle. Do you prefer the tone it gives, as opposed to a plectrum? You really drive it hard!

Nena: I like to play with my finger because it sounds wider and it fits me better. And the unique feeling of my fingers touching the strings fascinates me! Although I have no problem with the ones that choose to play with a pick, I’d rather use my fingers.

– Why do you all play and sing? Is it simply the opportunity for self expression?

Fe: Our producer (Celo Oliveira) did an amazing job with the vocal section of the album. You can hear many different vocals recorded at the album. We really love them so we wanted to make our live performances as close as we can to the album. It costed us hours of rehearsal to make it happen, but we think it payed off in the end.

– Sim, the production and sound Celo and you all achieved on this record is astonishing. It’s a first rate performance and production. How important is it for the bass guitar and drums to be tight, and where do you see the guitars and voice fitting in the groove?  

Drika: To me, it seems like the drums without a bass guitar loses it’s magic. When we rehearse and Nena’s bass is too low I get nervous, trying to give more weight and feeling to the song but it simply DOESN’T HAPPEN! I need Nena to hold myself as a drummer. The bass guitar is the base of our kitchen and the guitars and voices are our special ingredients.

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

Fe: We’ve recorded the album at Kolera home studio, here in Rio, with Celo Oliveira as our producer. The album was recorded one instrument at a time at the studio. First drums, then rhythm  guitars, bass guitars, guitar solos and at last the lead vocals and backing vocals. It was mixed and mastered by Celo Oliveira at Kolera studios too.

– So what are your plans?  Some more touring or any dates you can mention?  

Fe: We are negotiating a few dates here in Brazil for the next months. And yes, we intend to tour and take our music as far as we can.

– Any other projects musical or otherwise happening?

Verônica: I’m part of other two musical projects. Six years ago I’ve joined Biographia54, a pop rock/alternative band that plays brazilian 80’s music. I also sing at a lyrical group, called Chão de Folhas, that focus on the lyrical circuit events.

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

Fe: Keep strong! We know life ain’t easy sometimes and we have to face challenges all the time. Always talk to someone you trust, let them know how you feel and ask for support. Your life matters to us!

 

– Obrigada  Melyra for taking the time to talk with us. I hope we see you in Australia sometime! Wishing you safe travels, and all the best with the upcoming shows. Greg \Mh/.

Verônica: Our pleasure, Greg! We want to thank you for this great interview and for all your attention. We’re looking forward to show our music in Australia! We also want to invite everyone to follow our social media channels and to listen to our new album, “Saving you from reality”. We are at Facebook, Instagram, Youtube (look for @melyraband) and at your favorite streaming service too. Thanks a lot!

 

Thanks mi amiga’s!  Check out this amazing band at sites mentioned above, and also at links below –

Facebook –      

https://www.facebook.com/melyraband/

You tube channel –      

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCru4VH4C0mBQwKryu72DGjg

Interview with Genevieve Rodda from Temtris. March 2018

Posted on: March 22nd, 2018 by Greg Jordan No Comments

I had a yap yesterday with lead singer Genevieve Rodda of Australian metal band Temtris. When you listen to Genevieve sing, she is such a powerhouse and strong life force. As you will discover here, music is a huge part of who she is.

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

No problem at all 🙂

 What does good mental health mean to you?

For me it is all about a balanced life. I like to keep fit and i train Krav Maga once a week which is a street smart self defense system. I run at least twice a week to de-stress. I feel good when i eat well and try to follow a healthy diet 5 days a week but let myself relax on the weekends. I like to work hard but i like to party hard too and let loose with my friends at a show with a few vodkas.

 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 love gigging but it is stressful leaving my kids so when i am home i try to make the most of that time. We recently have had a break from shows and i am missing not singing live. We would all love to be able to live the touring scene but the reality is most musicians need a day job to survive. I work at a special needs school and it really gives you a good perspective on how awesome my life is when you see disadvantaged kids day after day.

 What motivates you? What keeps you going?

I am not very good at sitting still, i am a doer. But i do like to set goals and move forward and push myself in most things and i do not like to quit. If someone said i couldn’t do it that would make me chase it even more. My love for the metal scene keeps me striving and moving forward. Music is a great way to get anyone motivated even when you are having a bad day.

There have been times when i wondered if i should stop creating music and gigging but i think i would feel like some of my soul would be missing if i did that.

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

Yes i am. We all get down at times. I do believe things happen for a reason within reason and i always wait to see what the outcome is before i let it get to me or i will put on some metal and sing my lungs out, it always helps.

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

Been through my share like most people. I have had to part with so called friends who have treated me badly and abused my friendship. They thought that this was ok, It was not easy at the time to remove long term friends from my life and it helped to have a close friends i could talk to. Remembering that it won’t be like this forever and trying to focus on things to move forward and appreciating the good things in our life helps.

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

I like to write about life experiences and quite a few of our albums have been concept albums so we have themes we can write too. But it is the creation of the album including artwork, songs and the whole story coming together that i enjoy.

 When did you start making music individually and as a band? 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?

I have been writing music from about 13 years of age when i started learning guitar. I use to like sitting in my room just playing guitar and putting together songs. I joined my first band at 14 and did my first gig then also. I decided after that first show that this was what i wanted to do and had a goal to be known as an Australian female metal singer in a professional band. After 4 albums and a fifth one on the way it has not always been easy continuing while raising two children and working but when your doing something that you love nothing can stand in your way, even time lol

 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.

A band should be tight and work as a team. We work really hard on our song structure to make the vocals work with the guitars. The song needs emotion to be able to convey to an audience

 i was just listening to Awakening from your first album, and Enter the asylum from the 4th record. I love your vocal approach. You convey a strong sense of purpose and really project the lyric.

Why do you sing? Is it simply the opportunity for self expression?

I want to be strong , i train to be strong and i guess i want be seen as a strong female in the metal scene so when i sing, i sing with conviction because i mean it.

 How was  the recording process for your last record? Did you bang it down live, or record an instrument at a time etc?

Drums and vocals were recording in Main Street studios Wollongong. The guitars were recorded in the guitarists own studios.

 So what are your plans? Some more touring or any dates you can mention? I believe album number 5 is coming out soon?

Next gig is the 5th May at The Bald Faced Stag Sydney. Our album Launch for the 5th album is set for later in the year if all goes as planned.

 Any other projects musical or otherwise happening?

All my focus is always on Temtris and always has been.

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

Talk to someone, find something you enjoy doing and focus on that. Surround yourself with positive people and don’t feel guilty about looking after yourself and saying NO!

Smile and remember tomorrow, things can get better.

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

Been great chatting with you and thanks \m/

Look out for album # 5 and upcoming shows. Links to band pages – 

https://www.facebook.com/Temtris/

http://www.temtris.com

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