Q&A with Justice For The Damned

Could you please introduce the readers to the band and what each member does?

Bobak (Vocals), Ben (Bass), Chas (Drums), Nick (Guitar), Nathan (Guitar)

How was Strike Hard Fest? Was it one of the more memorable shows you've played?

Its safe to say it was probably THE most memorable show we've ever played and certainly the most moving.

Your latest single Deep Rotting Fear, what is it about and is this the direction you guys are heading with the new material?

DRF is about a struggle with love, depression and anxiety and focuses on very real and particular moments from 2015 in which the events that inspired the song happened. This is definitely a direction we'll be taking the new material in, but we aren't going to be limiting ourselves and will definitely be exploring many sounds on the way to our next release.

You're heading out on the road with I Exalt in March, are you guys close and what are you looking forward to mostly about this tour?

Well we only came to know I, Exalt last year in September; we met when our separate tours were sharing the same shows. We did find quite quickly that all the guys in IE are great blokes and after a few shows together we were all quite comfortable hanging and chatting. We're really grateful that they've decided to bring us along to celebrate their new release with them! A few notable things we're looking forward to would include: Our traditional Coffs Harbour stay over and visiting Mr Burger (Melbourne)

Have you guys been writing new material? Should we expect an EP or maybe a full length this year?

As a band we are never not writing new material, but we have been starting to put together a new release, we are aiming for something a bit longer than EP this year. It will definitely be our finest work, that much we know for certain.

Do you all have different influences in terms of music? Or do you all have similar tastes when it comes to heavy music?

We all have incredibly different influences musically, but they do overlap in a lot of ways and that does mean we can be the band that we are quite comfortably.

Which Australian band would you love to tour with one day?

Ocean Grove, Graves, Hellions, Thy Art Is Murder & Parkway Drive are all Australian acts we really like.

Which International band would you love to tour with one day?

This is an easy one, Kublai Khan

Hardcore and metal shows can often be a violent setting if the wrong people are there. What’s your stance on hate moshing?

Well we believe people like what they like and love it or hate it people are going to likely be doing those things at shows, so it’s definitely wise to keep an eye out. As long as everyone looks after each other and pick each other up when they fall though we can all have a good time

How far do you hope to take JFTD and what do you hope to achieve from the band?

As far as possible. As far as some not too long-term goals that are achievable, we want to be touring more and release something fantastic this year.

What bands are you currently jamming?

Title Fight, Avenged Sevenfold, Deadmau5 and Slim Dusty

Who's the funniest member of the band and what's the funniest thing they've done that has made you guys laugh?

Everyone has had their moments, but the one man who will take the cake every single time is the Nathan Kershaw. He's done countless things that have left us in tears, but he once began packing up his gear before we had finished our set and that was something we will never forget.

What was your favourite release of 2015?

New Strength by Kublai Khan

How would you best describe your music and is there an overall message that you guys try and get across? Or is it just a bunch of mates having fun and making heavy tunes?

Our music could be best described in our eyes as hardcore/metalcore that’s blackened. Some notable characteristics of our music are beat downs, breakdowns, blast beats, grim chords, deep melodious sections and 'riffs'. As far as an overall message though, we don’t necessarily have an agenda that we are trying to push out to people. Everyone in Justice all does believe in maintaining strong character traits like kindness, humility and compassion, but as of yet we haven't seeped that into the lyrical content. That may change in the future but for now we've been writing songs that highlight personal experiences.

 Catch Justice For The Damned on their upcoming tour with I Exalt this March, dates below: