Page 32 - Black Velvet Issue 90

BV90 pg32&33_BV90 pg32 18/09/2016 02:37 Page 1

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100 Ways To Rock
100 Ways To Rock

ustralian rock ‘n’ roll monsters Airbourne are back with their fourth studio
Aalbum, ‘Breakin’ Outta Hell’, their first on Spinefarm Records, and the band show
their devout conviction to high energy, ass-kicking rock ‘n’ roll. Black Velvet caught
up with drummer Ryan O’Keeffe to chat about writing on the beach, playing music at
home and getting cookies and beer from fans.

reakin’ Outta Hell’ is an album that will says that it’s tough keeping afloat in the 21st cen- create a career for themselves learning how to use
‘Bblow your balls off – if you’ve got any. tury as a band that plays rock ‘n’ roll. “If it was easy, a certain tool, or music instrument, so they’re ef-
Ryan tells Black Velvet, “I think ‘Breakin’ Outta everyone would be doing it. But we enjoy the chal- fectively the same thing. That’s kind of why you
Hell’ was driven wholehearted by the band’s en- lenges, etc. We’ve gone through so many labels. find rehearsal studios these days fully packed be-
ergy. We wanted to capture what we do live, why You can pretty much count them. It’s a tough indus- cause kids aren’t playing enough at home. They’re
people come to our shows, and also ‘Breakin’ Outta try but it’s all good.” having to pay money that they don’t have to go and
Hell’, the whole album, is about having a good time, When asked what the worst hell for him would play their instrument, which is kind of detrimental
getting away from the shit. Hell doesn’t necessarily be, Ryan answers, “Not being able to play rock ‘n’ to learning a craft. But you rarely get a complaint
mean hell, it can mean whatever tough time you’re roll.” The band are definitely passionate about about a jack hammer that could be ten times as
going through.” rock. loud.”
The album bears a track with the same name, Black Velvet agrees with Ryan. We hear people
which is an anti-bullshit and boredom anthem rothers Joel and Ryan O’Keeffe discov- in our neighbourhood mowing the lawn every other
about forgetting the crap that life throws at you. Bered rock music at a young age and while day and that gets tedious. Nobody complains when
Ryan confirms that the band have had fans tell at school made their minds up to be in a band. people make a noise doing something like that –
them that their music does help them forget the Ryan says, “Once in primary school and once in but if there’s loud music, chances are you might
bad things they’re going through. “We have along high school I was told to forget about trying to be have a knock at your door.
the last few years. A lot of people say it’s an es- in a rock ‘n’ roll band and to get a plan B or focus Ryan continues, “We’re quite passionate about
cape; it’s what they use to get away from the shit, on something like a dayjob. I definitely didn’t do that. Kids have got to learn what they’re doing.
so that’s one of the things that inspired this whole that.” Playing music’s like an apprenticeship. You don’t
record. We wanted to focus more on that, focus Whether it was teachers at school or even just learn it over night, it takes a while.”
more on the good time vibe of what people come neighbours at home, there was always someone
to an Airbourne show for and listen to the songs putting the dampener on things. “We practiced a irbourne (Joel and Ryan are joined by
for those reasons.” lot at home. We were very passionate about learn- ADavid Roads on rhythm guitar and Justin
When we ask Ryan if they have a lot of crap ing our craft,” says Ryan. “And we always used to Street on bass) have done a good job learning it
outside of rock ‘n’ roll to deal with themselves, he get complaints. But our mentality is if people aren’t though – and are top-notch at their craft. We
says, “Well, keeping the ship afloat is always a willing to complain about a power drill but they are haven’t heard an Airbourne song that we don’t like.
tough job. We also make sure we’re enjoying our- willing to complain about an instrument… the two We also spotted a fan writing on the band’s Face-
selves all the time because life’s too short.” He are very similar things… both are people trying to book page, ‘Every household should know the

AIRBOURNE