So what has 2019 been for like for you so far?

 

It’s been a whirlwind with non stop touring. I’ve finally had a few weeks to unwind here and recharge the batteries. It’s great that we finally get an opportunity to tour Australia I can’t wait. We also just announced some dates with Disturbed in the summer and dates with Skillet and Sevendust as well. Maybe we will have some new music on the horizon too.

 

Last year I had my first Pop Evil experience when I got to see you support Poison and Cheap Trick in Vegas. How was that tour for you?

 

It was probably the best tour of our career. I don’t know if it will ever get better, the way Poison and Cheap Trick treated us like they were brothers. That tour was mind blowing being out with Poison and Cheap doing shows all summer 2018 was incredible. I’m glad you got to experience it, that Vegas show was cool.

 

What were the Poison boys like off stage?

 

They were great, always down to answer any questions and hang out with us. Same thing with Cheap Trick they would hang out in our dressing rooms before. I think we brought that youthful energy that reminded them of when they were starting. Whenever you are around bands that have been round over thirty years there’s always a lesson to be learned, to see why they have lasted this long. Those bands come together for the main reason and that’s music and they make it work. So there’s a lot of awesome lessons to learn and things they can teach you just by watching them both off and on the stage.   

 

It must of been surreal for you getting to sing “rock and roll all nite” on stage with Poison?

 

It really was. If someone had told me while I was growing up that I’d be on stage with those guys I wouldn’t of believed it. Doing the Kiss cover with those guys was incredible.

 

Congrats as well on your self titled album. Living with it now for twelve months you must be stoked to see what you achieved?

 

I haven’t had time to look back so much yet. I’ve been nervous with “Be Legendary” being a single over here at the moment in USA. I’m always a nervous wreck around this time because I want the song to be received well. It’s a lot of pressure, like sending your kids off to college. But certainly it’s the album we are most proud of. I think it comes with age and I don’t mean just age as how old we are but the bands age. We are five albums in I feel like we are ageing like a fine wine with every album. We keep getting more focused and experimenting with songwriting that brings us happiness. That’s the reality of success for us when we tour we want to be happy with our legacy of songs. We still feel like we have a lot of work to do but we took a step in the right direction with this record, hopefully we can build on that and use it as a stepping stone to move further.

 

How did the idea come about for the “Be Legendary” video?

 

We get a lot of videos of kids singing the songs with their parents. A lot of the songs we write have become anthems to families. We thought it would be an awesome opportunity to showcase a few things we love being the future kids of this genre and video games. Who didn’t like video games when they were a kid. It seems like every kid I know is playing Fortnite or ipads so we thought why don’t we remind them what it was like to play real video games on arcades. Those kids did a great job playing us as little kids. It comes across in the video too it wasn’t so much about them beating the bullies but more about having each others back. That’s the truth when it comes to this band, we might not win every battle that the pop world or mainstream world would see but it’s those little battles we win that make it all worth while for us. At the end of the day it’s our story to come together and create these memories with our fans that’s really what it’s all about.

 

 

Last year I got to interview you about the new album and you said you were hoping to tour Australia one day. What was it like when you got told you were actually coming down here to tour?

 

The opportunity came up to tour Australia and we needed the dream situation. It had to work with the time period of what the bands doing and it’s the perfect storm where everything seemed to fall into place. We had a couple of opportunities in the past but something always ruined it and I would get my hopes up. I told managers and labels don’t even tell me about it anymore unless it’s for real because I don’t wont to get my hopes up. Sure enough about seven months ago it was done. Here we are literally about to fly to Australia. I’m definitely dreading the plane ride there but once I get there I’ll be stoked. I can’t wait to get there, meet some new faces and start over from the ground up. We are going to do our best to put on a great show to get people talking so we can come back maybe with a festival in the future and come back as regularly as we can.

 

Are there any tourist things you’d love to do in Australia?

 

I’d love to see Great Barrier Reef and of course Sydney Opera House. There’s tons of stuff I’d love to do but first things first it’s got to be about getting these shows right and my body healthy while over there.

 

Have you guys talked about a set list for Australia?

 

Our set list has been fire lately with a great mix from all five records. We’ve got some fun things thrown in there to make it enjoyable for the fans, to show everyone our personality.

 

I get a feeling the set list will definetly include the song “Trenches”.

 

Leigh Kakaty     

Oh yeah Trenches will be in there I guarantee you that. All the high energy ones for sure.

 

 

Do you have any memories of filming the video “Boss’s Daughter”?

 

Lots of memories, shooting with Mick was incredible especially with the Motley Crue movie just coming out. Having an opportunity to shoot a video with him that’s the stuff you tell your grandkids about. If they tell you they don’t think your a rockstar you can remind them you’ve got a video with Mick Mars.

 

 

 

Lastly do you have a message for the Aussie Pop Evil fans?

 

I just first of all want to thank the fans that have been with us for a long time and been waiting for us to come, thank you for your patience. Finally we are coming. For all the fans who are on the fence or unaware of us be open minded, give us the opportunity and we will deliver. It’s all about the live show.    

 

(interview by Christian Ross)