Get ready for an absolute classic of an episode, music lovers! This week on the Hear2Zen Podcast, we’re joined by none other than Ken Gormly, legendary bassist for Aussie rock royalty The Cruel Sea! 💥

Ken sat down with us for a huge chat packed with killer stories, classic rock ’n’ roll history, and a ton of laughs. With The Cruel Sea gearing up to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their iconic ARIA-winning album Three Legged Dog, playing it live in full alongside all-time classics like “The Honeymoon Is Over”, “Better Get A Lawyer”, and “This Is Not The Way Home”, there was plenty to dive into! 🐶🔥

Here’s a taste of what we unpack in this episode:

• 🎸 Before The Sea: Ken takes us back to his pre-Cruel Sea days with post-punk legends Sekret Sekret!

• 🚌 On The Road: The pure family vibes and backstage camaraderie of the Red Hot Summer Tour.

• 🤝 Band Philosophy: Why true Rock ’N’ Roll is, above all else, a team sport.

• ⏳ Evolution: How the passage of time has changed the band, but hasn’t dulled an ounce of what they bring to the stage.

• 🏆 Wild Stories: The mysterious case of missing ARIA awards... and actual ransom notes?! 📝🚨

Whether you’ve been riding the wave with The Cruel Sea since their instrumental jam days or caught the fever during The Honeymoon Is Over era, this is an absolute must-listen!

The Cruel Sea are taking the stage with special guests Magic Dirt for two extra-special, landmark outdoor shows this September & October! 🌲🏛️

📅 CATCH THE CRUEL SEA LIVE THIS SPRING!📍 FRIDAY 4 SEPTEMBER – Night At The Parkland Roma Street Parkland, Brisbane QLD 🎟️ Tickets & info: nightattheparkland.com.au

📍 FRIDAY 2 OCTOBER – Night At The Barracks North Head, Manly NSW 🎟️ Tickets & info: nightatthebarracks.com.au

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#Hear2Zen #Hear2ZenPodcast #KenGormly #TheCruelSea #MagicDirt #ThreeLeggedDog #AussieMusic #AussieRock #LiveMusicAustralia #BrisbaneGigGuide #SydneyGigGuide #NightAtTheParkland #NightAtTheBarracks #PodcastEpisode #AussieRockLegends 

As long-time favourites of Australian audiences, the Floridian five-piece has built a reputation that goes well beyond simple nostalgia. Every return visit to our shores sees packed rooms, massive singalongs, and pure fun, a constant reminder of why they love coming back, and why Aussie fans keep showing up in droves.

Across more than three decades, Less Than Jake have carved out a catalogue that sits at the very centre of ska-punk’s global story. From early genre-defining staples through to their later releases, their live shows hit the perfect balance: high-octane energy, sharp musicianship, huge choruses, and just enough edgy unpredictability to keep every single night interesting.

In this episode, frontman and guitarist Chris DeMakes hangs out with us to dive deep into the band's history and hilarious tour life. Chris fills us in on:

Memories of Warped Tour: Unfiltered stories from the legendary travelling festival era.

Why Cats Rule the World: The absolute truth about our feline overlords.

Why Actual Vacations Are Overrated : Why staying on the grind beats sitting on a beach.

The Early Ska-Punk Scene: What it was really like building the foundation in the early '90s.

'90s Riders vs. Today’s Riders: How backstage requests have evolved from chaotic wildness to functional survival.

The European Festival Scene: The unique energy, massive crowds, and festival culture overseas.

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AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND TOUR DATES

Friday, October 30: Metropolis, Fremantle

Saturday, October 31: Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide

Monday, November 2: Forum Theatre, Melbourne

Thursday, November 5: Enmore Theatre, Sydney

Friday, November 6: Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane

Saturday, November 7: The Studio, Auckland

#Hear2Zen #Hear2ZenPodcast #LessThanJake #ChrisDeMakes #SkaPunk #PunkRock #LiveMusicAustralia #AussieTour #WarpedTour #EatonsHillHotel #EnmoreTheatre #ForumMelbourne #MetropolisFremantle #HindleyStreetMusicHall #TheStudioAuckland #ConcertJournalism #PodcastEpisode #musicpodcast

In Episode 304, we sit down with Adam 'Hutch' Glynn, original vocalist of Australian heavy metal juggernauts Frankenbok! 🔥

Since their formation back in 1997, Frankenbok have weathered a legendary revolving door of lineup changes, with founding guitarist Aaron “Azza Bok” Butler remaining the steadfast anchor 🎸. Azza’s musical vision and sheer tenacity have kept the nucleus of this band burning bright through every era. Now, with Hutch back behind the mic alongside Tom Rossell (drums) and Owen Spratling (bass), the band is firing on all cylinders, holding tight to their heavy metal roots while pushing their sound forward 💥.

In this deep-dive chat, we move beyond the breakdown to cover the heart, soul, and industry of music:

💿 Albums vs. Singles: Why the full-length album experience still holds a special power in an era dominated by quick-fix singles.

📦 Physical Media vs. Streaming: The tangible magic of holding vinyl and CDs compared to the convenience (and pitfalls) of digital streaming algorithms.

🎼 Beyond the Heavy: Why music doesn't always need to hit at 200 BPM or heavy riffs to leave a massive impact. ❤️ Emotional Resonance: How music acts as a universal bridge, tapping into raw human emotion and memory.

🎙️ The Mike Patton & Faith No More Effect: Exploring the huge influence of Mike Patton's boundary-pushing vocal versatility and Faith No More’s genre-defying legacy on modern rock and metal.

Whether you're a long-time Bok fan or a lover of deep music discussion, this episode is packed with real, unvarnished insight.

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#Hear2Zen #Hear2ZenPodcast #Frankenbok #AdamGlynn #AzzaBok #AustralianMetal #AussieMetal #HeavyMetal #MetalPodcast #MusicInterview #FaithNoMore #MikePatton #PhysicalMedia #VinylCommunity #AlbumArt #MetalHeads #HeavyMusic #PodcastEpisode #NewEpisode #MusicConversations

Get ready to crank the volume to 11! 🔊 Episode 303, We sit down with Jenni and Marty Powell, the driving forces behind Melbourne’s hard rock powerhouses, Riff Raiders!💥

Since kicking off in 2015, Riff Raiders have been tearing up stages across Australia with their irresistible blend of big hooks, razor-sharp riffs, and explosive live energy 💥. From sharing stages with legends like Baby Animals, D-A-D, The Poor, and The Lazys to earning a nod for Best Punk/Rock Act at the Music Victoria Awards, these indie stalwarts know a thing or two about real-deal rock 'n' roll. 🔥🤘

Jenni and Marty dive deep into their musical journeys, their critically acclaimed album Welcome To Mars 🚀, and what makes true rock music stand the test of time.

We chat about:

📺 Memories of Countdown The crew takes a trip down memory lane discussing the golden era of Australian music television! 🇦🇺✨ Jenni and Marty share how the legendary TV show Countdown shaped their early love for music, brought bands into living rooms across the nation, and created a nostalgic blueprint for authentic music culture. 📺🎶

🎸 Why Cheap Trick Are One of the Greatest Bands of All Time It’s time to pay homage to royalty! 👑 Marty and Jenni break down the genius of Cheap Trick from Rick Nielsen’s wild riffology to Robin Zander’s iconic vocals. They chat about how Cheap Trick masterfully bridged the gap between heavy rock power and Beatles-esque pop sensibilities. 🔊🎯

✍️ The Craft of Writing a Song vs. Writing a Hit What’s the secret sauce behind a song that lasts forever versus a temporary radio hit? 🧪🎵 The duo opens up about their songwriting philosophy, explaining why chasing trends leads to burnout, while chasing genuine craftsmanship creates timeless anthems. 📝🎸

💎 Vanity vs. Substance in Music In a world full of social media polish, where did the soul go? 🎭 vs 🖤 Jenni and Marty get brutally honest about the divide between band "image" and pure musical substance, highlighting why raw authenticity and real-deal grit always beat superficial hype in the long run. ⚡🎤

🚀 Welcome To Mars & Live Comeback! Plus, we talk all things Welcome To Mars, from the darker depths of Broken Halo to the swampy rock of Climbing the Walls and psychedelic grunge of Sound Mirror! 🛸

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Get ready to turn the volume up to eleven! In Episode 302 of the Hear 2 Zen Podcast, we are joined by an absolute icon of rock history, the legendary guitarist, songwriter, and the enduring heart of SWEET, Andy Scott!

With the massive Final Blitz Tour of Australia locked in for this October and November, Andy sits down for a massive, unfiltered chat. After being missed on the last run down under, we check in on his health, dive deep into the band's incredible legacy, and get the stories behind the songs that soundtracked a generation.

From selling 55 million records worldwide to ruling the Australian charts with 13 Top 50 singles, SWEET is a true rock treasure. Andy opens up about everything from their 70s bubblegum beginnings to the moment they knew they had to break the mold.

Some of the things we chat about

• Andy gives an update on how he’s feeling ahead of hitting Aussie shores this October. 

• Almost a year after its release, how does he view the album Full Circle, now? Plus, we crack the code on that mysterious RAM946E license plate on the cover. 

• The songs and albums that completely changed Andy’s life when he was a kid. 

• SWEET moving away from the powerhouse songwriting duo of Chinn and Chapman to escape the "bubblegum pop" bubble and reclaim their heavy rock identity. 

• SWEET music placements in film and TV

• What Andy, a lifelong fan of Wrexham FC,  really thinks of the Hollywood takeover by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. 

• If Andy wrote a 100% honest autobiography, just how much would have to be left out to avoid getting sued? 

With the tour kicking off on October 30th in Perth and hitting 14 venues across the country—including Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane—this is the perfect way to prep for the ultimate greatest hits set. Ballroom Blitz, Fox on the Run, Love is Like Oxygen... you're going to hear them all. 

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#Hear2Zen #Hear2ZenPodcast #AndyScott #TheSweet #SweetBand #FinalBlitzTour #GlamRock #ClassicRock #RockHistory #BallroomBlitz #FoxOnTheRun #AussieTour2026 #LiveMusicAustralia #RockGuitarist #PodcastInterviews 

In this episode of the Hear 2 Zen Podcast, we dive deep into the beautiful darkness with the legendary Dani Filth, iconic frontman of Cradle of Filth. With the band on the cusp of hitting Australian shores for their highly anticipated tour this July, Dani opens up about what it takes to bring their massive, sinister world across the globe.

We dissect the invaluable lessons learned from pulling double duty on the massive Double Trouble tours with DevilDriver, and get an exclusive look into the production scale fans can expect when the curtain rises down under. Dani also gives us a glimpse into the creative darkness of their upcoming material, discussing how much of the new album, Screaming of the Valkyries, will make its way into the setlist.

Beyond the touring cycle, we take a nostalgic trip down memory lane to discuss the lost art of the childhood mixtape, how music consumption has transformed from the physical era to the modern digital age, and how his overarching vision for Cradle of Filth has evolved from its early inception to the global force it is today.

Sit back, and enjoy this raw, insightful chat with one of extreme metal's most enduring visionaries.

Catch Cradle of Filth Live in Australia: 🗓️ July 9th – Brisbane 🗓️ July 10th – Sydney 🗓️ July 11th – Melbourne 🗓️ July 14th – Adelaide 🗓️ July 16th – Perth

Don’t Miss an Episode!🔗Head to the website for all the info

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#Hear2Zen #Hear2ZenPodcast #DaniFilth #CradleOfFilth #ScreamingOfTheValkyries #ExtremeMetal #SymphonicBlackMetal #HeavyMetal #MetalPodcast #MusicJournalism #NewEpisode #CradleOfFilthAustralia #AussieTour #MetalCommunity

We have officially hit the big 300!

To celebrate this monumental milestone for The Hear 2 Zen Podcast, we could think of no one better to sit down with than the enigmatic, charismatic, and incredibly talented frontman of Bush, Gavin Rossdale.

From day one, this podcast has been about raw, and real conversations, just music loving people, kicking back and talking about the what we love.

To celebrate 300 episodes, Gavin joins the show to look both backward and forward in an incredibly candid chat. We dive deep into Bush’s powerful tenth studio album, I Beat Loneliness, exploring how its raw themes of mental health, isolation, and resilience have resonated with not just fans, but also Gavin himself a full year out from its release.

Gavin opens up about what it takes to build real band chemistry and the pure magic of breathing new life into these heavy tracks in a live environment. We also take a trip down memory lane to look back at their time down under for the Under The Southern Stars tour, the legendary camaraderie shared between bands on the road, and the hilarious reality of playing massive outdoor shows, complete with stray cows and Porta-loos sitting in the middle of open fields.

Plus, Gavin shares some brilliant everyday cooking tips, looks ahead to Bush's massive upcoming co-headlining tour with Shinedown, reveals a few classic "Spinal Tap" moments on stage, and lets us know if we can expect brand new music sooner rather than later.

Catch this massive rock package hitting venues across Australia and New Zealand this spring!

The tour kicks off over in Auckland on Thursday 17 September at Spark Arena, before crossing the ditch to heat up Brisbane on Sun 20 September at the iconic Riverstage. From there, the noise moves down the east coast to Sydney on Wed 23 September at Hordern Pavilion, followed by a massive Friday night rock show in Melbourne on Fri 25 September at John Cain Arena. 🎸 The bands will then head over to Adelaide on Sun 27 September to play the Entertainment Centre Theatre, before finally wrapping up the entire run out west in Perth on Tue 29 September at the Perth HPC. ⚡

A Massive Thank You to the Zen Tribe: Reaching 300 episodes is an incredible milestone, and it belongs to every single one of you who has tuned in, shared an episode, and joined us on this wild ride since 2018. Your support keeps the amps cranked and the microphones on. Thank you for being the heartbeat of Hear 2 Zen. Trust us when we say, 300 episodes is only the beginning!

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#Hear2Zen #Podcast300 #GavinRossdale #BushBand #IBeatLoneliness #Shinedown #UnderTheSouthernStars #RockPodcast #LiveMusic #AlternativeRock #HeavyRock #MusicJournalism #PodcastMilestone #NewMusic

Welcome to Episode 299 of the Hear 2 Zen Podcast!
In this massive episode, we are diving deep into the weird, wonderful, and heavily layered world of the Pusciverse. We are joined by the incredible Mat Mitchell and Carina Round of Puscifer to unpack their stunning latest album, Normal Isn't, and look ahead to their highly anticipated December 2026 tour down under supporting A Perfect Circle.
Puscifer, the electro-rock powerhouse consisting of Maynard James Keenan, Mat Mitchell, and Carina Round has spent nearly two decades defying genres. Known for seamlessly blending dark electronic textures, post-punk atmospherics, and deeply theatrical storytelling, the band has created a 21st-century freak show where anything goes, everyone is welcome, and nothing is off-limits. Grab a drink, pull up a chair, and listen in as we talk personal evolution, the fine line between absolute absurdity and devastating sincerity, and what to expect when this chaotic live experience lands on Australian and New Zealand shores this December.

We talk

The Evolution of the Pusciverse: Mat and Carina share their personal journeys within the band over the years. They discuss how the project has morphed from a loose, revolving door of brilliant collaborators (including Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Sarah Jones, and even actors like Bob Odenkirk) into a finely-tuned, tight-knit creative nucleus.

Vulnerability in the Writing Process: Is it hard to let your guard down when writing for a project as complex as Puscifer? Carina and Mat pull back the curtain on their studio dynamic, exploring how they build trust to create music that is intensely vulnerable yet sonically aggressive. Balancing Gravity with "Bunghole": One of the most fascinating aspects of Puscifer is their ability to juxtapose deep, existential angst with pure absurdity. We talk about the literal bucket list challenge of keeping a track serious while inserting words like "bunghole" (look out for the track "Self Evident" on the new record!).

The Anatomy of Comedy: Humor is a permanent pillar of the Puscifer universe—evident in characters like Billy D, Hildy, Major Douche, and the new additions, Bellendia Black and Fanny Grey. Mat and Carina reveal their favorite comedians and break down what they believe makes a truly great comic mind.

Commanding the Stage: When it comes to bringing this wild, theatrical multi-media circus to life on stage, who steers the ship? The duo breaks down the primary leads in production and how they construct their singular, immersive live experience.
A PERFECT CIRCLE & PUSCIFER – AUS/NZ 2026 TOUR DATES:
🎟️ Fri 4 Dec – The Drive, Adelaide 🎟️ Sun 6 Dec – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne 🎟️ Tue 8 Dec – Riverstage, Brisbane 🎟️ Thu 10 Dec – Carriageworks, Sydney (NEW SHOW ADDED) 🎟️ Fri 11 Dec – TikTok Entertainment Centre, Sydney 🎟️ Sun 13 Dec – Spark Arena, Auckland

Get your tickets before they're gone! See ya in the front row. 🔥

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#Hear2Zen #Podcast #Puscifer #MatMitchell #CarinaRound #NormalIsnt #APerfectCircle #MaynardJamesKeenan #LiveMusicAus #ConcertPhotography #NewMusic #AlternativeRock #IndustrialGroove #Hear2ZenPodcast

Australia’s premier high-voltage rock ‘n’ roll export, Airbourne, have never been a band to do things by halves. On their upcoming self-titled sixth studio album, dropping August 28th via Spinefarm Records, they have completely outdone themselves.

In this episode of the Hear 2 Zen Podcast, front-man Joel O'Keeffe stops by for a massive chat about the new record, which channels the immortal spirit of rock ‘n’ roll, and maps out their massive upcoming Australian tour supporting the legendary Guns N' Roses later this year.

To capture the true, sweat-soaked danger of their live sound, the band knuckled down at the Music Farm Studio in the Byron Bay jungle. They tracked the record on a piece of pure Australian music history: the original Neve console from Alberts Studios, the very desk used by AC/DC, The Angels, and Rose Tattoo to shape the bedrock of Aussie hard rock.

Joel dives deep into the making of the album, detailing their work with a powerhouse production squad: producer Brian Howes, legendary engineer Mike Fraser, and mix master Zakk Cervini. We trace the heavy Canadian studio influence, paying homage to the iconic "Little Mountain Sound" that helped give this record its buzzsaw guitars and cannon-blast drums.

Beyond the technical gear, Joel opens up about the emotional core of the new music. Tracks like "Alive After Death" and "Send Me To Rock 'N' Roll Heaven" serve as roaring tributes to fallen idols like Lemmy, Bon Scott, and Doc Neeson. And, because it wouldn't be an Airbourne chat without it, we also break down the importance of a freezing cold, top-tier beer.

Grab a cold one, crank the volume, and join us for an absolute barnstormer of an interview!

1. Gutsy

2. Alive After Death (Last Plane Out)

3. Here She Comes

4. Kid In A Candy Store

5. Sky High

6. Who Put The Rhythm In You?

7. Christmas Bonus

8. Last Man Standing

9. Rock 'N' Roll Ya

10. Bogotá

11. Hell's Got No Vacancy

12. Send Me To Rock 'N' Roll Heaven

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Airbourne (Self-Titled) Tracklist:Don’t Miss an Episode!

Out of the ruins of the past, something massive has risen. 💥 On Episode 297 of the Hear 2 Zen Podcast, we are joined by the incredible Grace Pasturini (Lilith), vocalist for the international cinematic metal project VINDICTA!

Before they descend down under this June for their first-ever global live performances, Grace sits down to open up about moving past the pain of industry turmoil, reclaiming absolute creative freedom, and building an ambitious new chapter from the ground up.

We dive deep into their debut single “The Face of the Clown,” what to expect from their highly atmospheric, theatrical live show, and the writing process behind their upcoming music. This is a story of rebirth, resilience, and pure heavy metal ambition. 🎧🤘

Australia, you are the first in the world to witness this ritual live next week. Don't sleep on these dates!

🗓️ VINDICTA – The Reckoning Australian Tour 2026:

⚡ Wed 24th June – ADELAIDE, The Gov (w/ Spectral Dominion)

⚡ Thu 25th June – MELBOURNE, Max Watts (w/ Bulletbelt)

⚡ Sat 27th June – SYDNEY, Crowbar (w/ Noveaux)

⚡ Sun 28th June – BRISBANE, Crowbar (w/ Terror Parade)

📺 Watch on YouTube: Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and hit that notification bell so you never miss a legendary interview. 

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Hashtags:

#Hear2Zen #Hear2ZenPodcast #MusicJournalism #Vindicta #GracePasturini #Lilith #TheFaceOfTheClown #CinematicMetal #ModernMetal #WomenInMetal #HeavyMetal #MetalInterview #AustralianMetalTour #HardlineMedia #TheReckoningTour #AdelaideGigs #MelbourneMusic #SydneyMetal #BrisbaneLiveMusic #NewMetal2026

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