Interviews: Loaded Billy

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Hard Rock/Stoner Rock band Loaded Billy from Australia. Check out this band and follow them on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you plan it or come out just like that?

The guitarist and I (drummer) were sitting around reminiscing about our teenage years when we would listen to records by Hendrix, Sabbath, and Budgie accompanied by alcohol and what we called billy bongs for our smoko. The saying would be “Are the billies loaded” so we just changed it to ‘Loaded Billy’

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Everyone in the band grew up listening to hard rock/metal from the ’70s & 80’s so it's in the blood. When we write songs that’s just how the music comes out

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

The guitarist and bass player went to high school together and I became friends with them in my early 20’s. We teamed up and started a punk/metal band which went on for a while and then we went our separate ways. Once we three ended up back in our hometown of Adelaide (after 20 years) we joined forces and started Loaded Billy.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Willi – Drummer: Pink Floyd & Rammstein

James – Vocals: Slash feat Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators 

Cindy – Vocals: Pink Floyd 

Ucan – Guitars: No favorite, too many to mention. 

Gary – Bass: Cream or Budgie

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs? 

I just write about situations, be it about a person or about what’s happening in the world. I like to convey the story as I see it and hope others can relate to that story however it fits into their world.

6. Where was your last gig?

We just finished playing ‘Churches of Steel Festival’ in Adelaide. A huge heavy metal festival is held every February. A few weeks before we headlined ‘RawFest’ another annual festival in Adelaide.

7. Where would you like to act?

Big Stage at Wacken

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Judas Priest or Rammstein

9. Whom not?

Taylor Swift

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

I don’t remember ever having stage fright per se. Being anxious before a gig is quite normal. What I do is focus on relaxing when I start playing because being tensed up won't help your playing. Remember to have fun!

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Jimi Hendrix, Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne feat Randy Rhoads, Pink Floyd, mostly the old school bands because they set the standard.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

A fan was so impressed with a gig we played the woman came up to me and said she wanted to have my baby!

13. What do you think of your fans?

We absolutely love our fans. There’s a hard-core mob we call the Billy Boys & the Billy Girls who follow us everywhere. Many of our fans have become friends over the years which is a great thing about music.

14. What do you think of our site?

Your site is fantastic with lots of information. What I like is that you cover many genres in rock and metal. People can access resources about bands and can listen to music straight from the site. It’s a great site to scroll through and find new bands from all over the world.

15. Something to add?

We are very excited to have joined forces with Wormholedeath Records (WHD) and become a part of the WHD family. Our debut album ‘Legend’ is being re-released digitally through WHD on 3rd May 2024. Check out our YouTube channel or our website www.loadedbilly.com.