Brisbane 3 piece, The Iron Eye have just scored a major opportunity as the support act for Shihad at The Triffid Brisbane on July 1st. Luckily for us we managed to get a sneaky Q&A with guitarist and vocalist Nick who gave us the inside scoop on how they scored the support slot and some things you may not know about The Iron Eye.
How did you score the support slot for Shihad?
Schmoozing. Lots of Schmoozing. But seriously, we worked with their drummer, Tom Larkin, on our upcoming EP. He produced it for us and we recorded it down in his studio in Melbourne in May, so he put in a good word for us. We were never guaranteed the show though, and the rest of the guys in Shihad had to give us the thumbs up. There was also some solid help from Tim Price at Collision Course and 123 Agency as well.
Again, plenty of schmoozing.
What can fans expect from your live show?
Music, plenty of music. Played primarily by guitar, bass, drums, and vocals, performed by three young lads with varying levels of intensity. Just a killer rock show. Although we can’t bring our 12ft Stonehenge prop to this show, perhaps next time..
If you were to cover one of Shihad’s songs, what song would that be?
Only one? Would a medley be considered one song? A few people have suggested a few songs, maybe something from Love Is The New Hate. It’d be pretty bold to slip a Shihad song into our set when we’re supporting them, but we’d stare directly at them while playing it if we did, like a showdown. Although we would lose pretty hard. Saying that, I really dig FVEY and it’s huge sounding “Immigrant Song” vibe.
How did you guys meet to form The Iron Eye?
Myself and drummer Antonio went to the same school in Coffs Harbour and had mucked around in different bands when we were younger before seriously forming to join a band after school. It didn’t really go anywhere and I moved up to Brisbane to study before we caught up again and decided to do it for real. We did the two piece thing for a while but decided we need to complete our rock pyramid of power with a third piece, and that’s where we gained our luscious bottom end when David joined us on bass.
How would you describe your music?
It’s hard to describe your own sound without sounding like a wanker, but we were reviewed live once and the reviewer compared us to some well known art pieces, describing us as “weighty, voluptuous and beautiful like a Rubens nude.”And now I sound even more of a wanker.
What bands have influenced your sound?
I think individually we all enjoy a lot of different artists and genres, but also a lot of the same. Primarily though, we’ve looked up to and grew up on artists like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Rage Against The Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Queens of the Stone Age, Nine Inch Nails, Jeff Buckley, Fleetwood Mac and the like, but also draw a lot from artists you wouldn’t expect like The Presets or Dillinger Escape Plan.
What is your favourite track to play live?
That’s a tough one. We’re really digging playing our new stuff that will be on our upcoming EP, and there are a few bangers that we grit our teeth to. Playing our single from last year “DIFFERENT” is always fun though.
Have you been working on anything recently?
Our world has been consumed by writing, producing, recording and promptly relearning songs from our upcoming EP, so we’re in the process of finalising that as we speak. That, as well as keeping up with Game of Thrones..
What has been your greatest accomplishment as a group so far?
The Shihad support is pretty rad, not going to lie. But we’ve had some amazing opportunities in the past playing some killer shows with bands we really dig. Releasing our single “Different” last year and touring that was a bucket of fun, but I think creatively our new EP will be our greatest accomplishment so far.
Does The Iron Eye have a before show ritual?
Does drinking count?
When you are at home relaxing what music do you play in the background?
Usually Spotify is on, so whatever it decides to play, which can mean anything. Lately I’ve been listening to my mate’s project Grimmer, which is NIN inspired gutter pop, some Sticky Fingers and also fuelling my unhealthy Jewel obsession..
Tell us something no one knows about you.
I just told you about my Jewel obsession.. I also have to wear just one contact lens..
Antonio was born with fewer teeth than the rest of us (we spent a good hour once at rehearsal counting our teeth).
David does a killer spontaneous Magic Mike impersonation when Genuwine’s “PONY” is played..
What is the worst piece of life advice you have ever received?
“Don’t become a musician, they don’t make any money..”
Whilst being true, there’s nothing else we’d rather do!
SHIHAD with special guests
Grenaiders & THE IRON EYE
FRI 1 JULY
The Triffid, Brisbane
Get Tickets HERE
