SuburbiaSuburbia Bruce Highway Elbow Interview

The indelible blues-rock sound of Suburbiasuburbia is back, with Bruce Hwy Elbow, their follow-up to the recently released tracks Swifty Goes to the Shop, Breakdown in the Toll Tunnel, and the unanimously praised debut album, Landfill (2021). The Bruce Highway is one of the world's most dangerous highways...death, injury, carnage, and horror are all a part of your journey on this road to 'freedom'"or is that 'hell'? The road, known as the 'Highway of Shame', is the region's number one crash zone, and the activists from the East Coast of Australia, have now immortalised it.

The band continues to surprise, captivate, and entertain with their distinctive brand of earthy rock and roll, merging compelling narratives with evocative musical flourishes that take their cues from the rock traditions of the past and reshape them into an alluring contemporary blend. The band, which comprises Tony Townsend (lead vocals), Alan 'Kroc' Lyon (harmonica and vocals), Rowie Riot (lead guitar), Noel Gardner (drums), Robbie 'The Unit' Dekker (rhythm guitar) and Robbie Jib (bass and vocals), utilise the full force of their artistic powers"from the smoky haze of the harp to the blistering guitar lines and rhythmic tension, Bruce Hwy Elbow epitomises the band's unparalleled style: storytelling brilliance heightened by invigorating idiosyncratic rock.

Audiences will undoubtedly continue to be seduced by Suburbiasuburbia's intoxicating and humour-tinged musical rides, and Bruce Hwy Elbow will not disappoint. And remember, it's illegal to drive in Australia with any of your body parts out of the car" and when it comes to the Bruce Highway, that makes sense.

Interview with SuburbiaSuburbia

Question: How would you describe your music?

SuburbiaSuburbia: Exhilarating hybrid sound, part psychedelic rock, part power blues with an unapologetic, playful lyric... Or as the band likes to put it "Raspy, passionate screams from your next-door neighbour's garage as he cuts his hand odd with a chainsaw..."


Question: Can you tell us about Bruce highway Elbow?

SuburbiaSuburbia: The Bruce Highway is often referred to as the "Highway of Shame" with over 750 major crash incidents in the last decade (more than 1 per week). It is by far Australia's most deadly stretch of road... In this rendition of Bruce Hwy Elbow it seems that the escape route for some young lads think they are on the road to freedom - or is it the road to Hell...?


Question: Is there a particular message you hope listeners take from your music?

SuburbiaSuburbia: One's hopes, dramas, expectations and demise when compared to others can often be insignificant (as in the farmer they discover who has lost everything). The escape route can often be much worse than what you seek to escape from...


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

SuburbiaSuburbia: Both we just love making music... They both go hand in hand


Question: What is the story behind the band name?

SuburbiaSuburbia: Stories and tales from the Australia suburbs... What's been talked about (or should be) in the local bar, dole cue's, shopping centres, work and the footie fields.


Question: How did the band come together?

SuburbiaSuburbia: Began 4 years ago as a writing duo and the Gringo's have been gathered over the years to a 6 piece solid unit...


Question: What motivates you most when writing music?

SuburbiaSuburbia: Australia life and stories... Raising the issues that affect us all... Not necessarily solving them but putting them on the table for discussion.


Question: Which music/artists are you currently listening to?

SuburbiaSuburbia: We all in the band listen to lots of music and are influenced by many... The Who, AC/DC, The Animals, Led Zeppelin, Kinks, Stones, Chilli Peppers, Springstein,..etc. The masters still have it for mine but there are some great Australia Bands and artists as well as some great new artists breaking ground... Too many to mention in this format...

Question: What or who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

SuburbiaSuburbia: This is a personal answer (Tony - Lead singer) - Joe Cocker - Mad Dogs and Englishmen.


Question: What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?

SuburbiaSuburbia: Covid-19 and the lack of live gigs.


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

SuburbiaSuburbia: Playing music and joining a great family.


Question: What's a typical day like?

SuburbiaSuburbia: Working to pay the rent, chatting, listening and playing/recording some music...


Question: What's next, for you?
SuburbiaSuburbia: A hit record (that's the hope)


Question: Can you share your socials? (links please)

SuburbiaSuburbia: Website 
Facebook 
Instagram 


Interview by Gwen van Montfort