Since the early 70’s Australia has had and continues to have a huge thriving underground metal scene.
Film Maker Nick Calpakdjian has now dedicate 2 years of his life to bringing the ultimate look at the birth of Australian metal right through to all the various genre evolution’s to the acts
I was lucky enough to have Nick take time out of his busy schedule to answer a few of my questions in the lead up to the release of the documentary
What was the main inspiration for the doco and how long was it between conception to having the dvds out?
The main inspiration for making the doco was to try and marry my love for film and all music that comes heavy and loud. I’ve always been passionate about these two things and never had an opportunity to put the two together.
I came up with the idea for the film in July 2012 when I was coming towards the end of another film project (which is in cinemas now). The DVD will see its official release on 22nd August 2014. So it’s been just over two years from concept to delivery.
Do you feel that Australian Metal is some what neglected on the world stage?
I’m not sure that it is really. I think there are loads of bands that are getting good crowds the world over. And I mean there are bands right now out doing huge tours. Peter Hobbs is smashing Europe apart and is on his way to the USA now I believe and King Parrot have just left for the US after their relentless Aussie touring. I assume Ne Obliviscaris will be heading out early next year after the success of their crowd funding campaign. Psycroptic, Parkway Drive, Karnivool and Thy Art is Murder are constantly pulling great crowds internationally. We are only a country with a small population too.So from where I sit, and I’m not in a band, it looks pretty good for us out there.
Do you feel other doco makers like Sam Dunn for example should have done more to include Australian metal in their projects?
Yeah I think there should be a place for Australian metal at the world table and perhaps Sam could have included some of our bands or identities in his films. But I can understand how hard it must have been for him making his films. I know how hard I have found it to include everyone that should be in the film and I haven’t managed to do it. There are people and bands that I think should be in the film (and many other people think so too) that I just ran out of time, money and resources to get involved. But I think the fact that we have not been represented in other peoples films is all the more reason for us to get off our arses and do it ourselves.
Should the local promoters (e.g, AJ and Soundwave) do more to support the local extreme bands?
Personally I think they should. Financially I have no idea. I think in reality you could put a whole lot of Aussie bands on the bill and lose a lot of the smaller, unknown bands and the crowds would remain the same. But then I could see the smaller bands from other countries feeling bummed too because it’s a great opportunity for them to be exposed. But yeah I think it would be great if AJ could help promote the local scene and build it up. He has no obligation to do it but it has to be better in the long run. A strong healthy local scene has to make for bigger and better crowds for everyone.
What was the highlight of the project?
Being able to meet and interview many of the great musicians that I have enjoyed listening to over the years. If I have to name one, then I’d say meeting Dave Harrison from Allegiance. They were the first Aussie metal band I ever listened to. And being from Perth it was great to be able to interview him and hear about the scene in Perth in the early days before I was old enough to get into a gig.
Was there anyone you didnt get to speak to that you wish you did?
Yeah, I really would have liked to speak to the guys from Misery up in Brisbane. I think The Berzerker would and should have been in the film. James Ludbrook from Damaged would have been interesting. And I also think it would have been good to talk to DW Norton about recording the bands he did through the 90’s and early 2000’s. Mark Wooley from Nothing Sacred. Yeah there are plenty that would be good to talk to and include in the film but I just had to stop somewhere I guess.
Any chance of a sequel or making any docos focusing directly on one specific bands history?
I think it could be good to another film in the future that focuses on some of the bands and moments in time that we just didn’t get to in this film and that I think the fans would really want to hear from. As for any one band I’m not sure. It’s tricky when you are looking at a singular band or artist. You really need a strong narrative that can drive the story and allow you tell their history. I think the film on The Cosmic Psychos was really well done and the film on Paul Kelly was great too. I have one or two bands in mind that I think I’d like to make a film on but not sure if I’m ready to spill the beans on that yet!
“Metal Down Under” is available August 22nd
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