Guzzler are taking all that is good about Pub Rock to a new level, drawing influences from a range of hard rock, heavy metal bands with the ‘if it sounds good, let’s do it’ mentality. With the release of their second album, the self-titled Guzzler, in late 2014 the band is showing they’re the real deal and are ready to become bigger and better, while at the same time keeping things fun.

 

How did you guys come together as Guzzler?

 

In the beginning we formed as a garage band, social Sunday jams, evolving into a gigging covers band, then uniting our influences to write originals

 

Is there a story behind the name?

 

Our original bass player (Andy) came to us with the name of a racing greyhound he’d bet on...Guzzler ...perfect fit for a hard rockin’, hard drinkin’ rock band

 

How would you describe your band to someone who hasn’t heard you?

 

Plain and simple… Aussie hard rock / pub rock

 

Who are some of the bands who have influenced you?

 

Huge array of influences, ... Zeppelin, Sabbath, AC/DC, Angels, Rose Tattoo, Maiden, Kiss, Crue, Rush, the list is endless...if it sounds good... it is good

 

When did you first discover music and what does it mean to you?

 

We all found music in our early teens, and...POW!!...this is what we do ...forever more!!

 

Guzzler seems to have combined classic Aussie rock bands like The Angels and Rose Tattoo with some of the classic seventies rock bands like Thin Lizzy and Black Sabbath. Was this a conscious decision you wanted for your music or did it just evolve?

 

It’s a combination of all our influences, the ‘if it sounds good’ motto....and a conscious nod at the halcyon days of Aussie Pub Rock...loud, guitar driven rock...at the local pub

 

The guitar tone on the self-titled album is great. Is there a secret weapon in the guitar rig?

 

Yep...that secret weapon is a fella called Matt

 

Guzzler started out in 2004 as a covers band. In 2006 you started writing your own material. What was the driving force behind taking the step from covers to originals?

 

Covers are cool, but...writing, performing, recording our own tunes gives a greater satisfaction, “this is our baby… how cute is that!!!”

 

2013 saw the departure of bass player Andy and singer Rob. How does changing line ups affect the band dynamics?

 

Andy left due to a wrist injury and a different direction in his personal life, Haydz stepped up to the plate and powers the bottom end relentlessly..... and…as for Rob, well, all I can say is, thank fuck for James. This man knows exactly what the Guzzler sound is and has made it his own... The dynamics of this band have exploded seven fold in the last year, this is where Guzzler is, the way it has always meant to be.

 

Now with the release of your second full length album, where can you see the band evolving to in the future?

 

Gigging, writing, gigging, recording, gigging, you know the drill....but...amongst the recording bits, will be another full length album, maybe a limited release EP...and a live album, an east coast tour, some beer to drink, a trip to the west, lotsa beer to drink.Our aim is to do what we do, bring some of that old school pub rock vibe back.

 

How did you come to be on the D.R.F label?

 

How did the D.R.F label come about should be more the question, to gain gigs/work within some areas of the ummm, music industry....you apparently have to have a label deal, so, as a result....we are with DRF

 

How does the band go about financing things such as recording, promoting, travel, instruments, etc.?

 

THE HARD WAY!!!....out of own pockets mostly, some gigs fill the coffers, but never enough.

 

How important is the use of social media to the band?

 

Social media is a huge help...., word of mouth can spread so fast now...we rely on that angle a great deal.

 

Do you think Australia is doing enough to support local musicians?

 

We speak to tonnes of people at our gigs and they are the guys and gals supporting local musicians... from a political/business angle, NO... local music is not being supported.

 

There are kids jamming their favourite songs in a garage, what advice would you give to them if they said they were serious

about making a go at starting a band?

 

Just do it...go for it...find like-minded souls, jam...have fun.

 

Performing as Guzzler for over ten years, have you noticed any changes in the live music scene in Melbourne, and Australia in general?

 

Some great venues have gone, noted an influx of “band comps”...where only the promoters make money off the backs of hard working bands and musos, who find out it’s not the music that matters, it’s how many tix you can sell to fill the promoters pockets...Don’t be fooled people.

 

What would you like to achieve with Guzzler?

 

Ohhh, the tough questions come out now.... Ok, we love what we do, if we can reach a greater audience to share our passion with, that’s what we’re about...