After delivering their anthemic EP 'Nail, Meet Hammer' last year, Australian trio Strange Unit now return to deliver another blistering alt-rock effort 'Turbulence'.
Channelling the same heavy and tenacious direction they are known for, 'Turbulence' sees them return in stellar form. Filled with ferocious riffs, killer hooks, and some brilliantly energetic moments, be prepared to be pumping your fists to this one throughout.
So with the new single out now, we sat down with them to find out more about their background and influences over the years.
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What was the first instrument you learned to play?
Lee Wise (Drums) Drums.
Dylan Callanan (Bass): Skin flute hahaha I've never really learned how to play any of the instruments I use.
Scott Lee Andrews (Vocals/Guitar): Drums – Got a mean para-diddle down, but my old man in his infinite wisdom bought me a guitar.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Lee: I bought Metallica (Aka The Black Album) and As Daylight Dies (Killswitch Engage) at the same time.
Dylan: Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (The Smashing Pumpkins)
Scott: Use Your Illusion II by Guns N' Roses
Did you ever form a band when you were younger and if so, what did they sound like?
Lee: Yes I did in high school. We Played covers of Powderfinger, Foo Fighters, Nirvana, and Here Come The Mummies to name a few. Our original songs were along the lines of Alternative Rock with a comedy element, probably very inspired by Tenacious D
Dylan: Yes and we did a comfortably numb cover that will make Roger Waters spin in his future grave
Scott: Yeah my first band (Back in the UK) did quite well for ourselves, went through 3 record labels (Remember them?), and even had a book written about us. We were lumped in with the “Post-Hardcore” bands of the time but were more off-kilter, weird, and vicious.
What is a song you wish you had written yourself?
Lee: I wish I had written 'Praise' from the Sevendust album Animosity. That main riff is so tasty and bouncy - It's just too good! Plus Morgan Rose is absolutely slamming through that song and I can't help jam along every time I hear it!
Dylan: 'Waitin' Around To Die' by Townes Van Zandt.
Scott: 'Spaceman' by Babylon Zoo.
What has been the most thrilling moment about creating your own music?
Lee: Being able to express a vision, concept, or mood with instrumentation and/or lyrics that create emotion when heard. Nothing I love more than hearing big, emotional music whether it be through particular chord arrangements or lyrically, so I try to incorporate that into my own music. I strive to write songs that incorporate emotions like that, once I hear them back through monitors and that vision has translated, I feel that thrill.
Dylan: It used to be playing gigs.
Scott: Similar to what Lee said - getting the idea from the head onto the stage. Hearing songs on the radio still makes me so happy.
And what about the most frustrating part?
Lee: For me personally, knowing when the song is 'done.' I think to pull that trigger and say "this is finished and I'm not going to write anymore" is something that I've always struggled with. One second I'm content with where the song is at but the second after I'm re-arranging structures and re-recording verses until I listen back and go "I should've kept it as is".
Dylan: Not playing gigs.
Scott: Having to concentrate harder on selling the product.
Which artist would you most love to share a stage with?
Lee: There are so many! But, I'd have to say at the moment it would be Nine Inch Nails. I love everything about their live spectacles and if I could share it with the "With Teeth" era NIN, that would be the ultimate dream.
Dylan: Willie Nelson.
Scott: I've been fortunate to have shared stages with so many of my heroes, but Placebo would be a dream come true.
Where do you see yourself in five years time?
Lee: On my drum throne, sitting behind my kit with some Inter-state touring under my belt and a few more albums out with Strange Unit and my other band Detach Me. Oh, and also release all the projects I have sitting 90% complete on my hard drive!
Dylan: On top of the iTunes charts.
Scott: Fighting the same fight.
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Strange Unit's new single 'Turbulence' is available to stream now. Check out the new video for it below.
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