1.Growing Up

I grew up moving a lot. Music was always a constant. Almost everyone is a musician in my family.

2.Inspirations

My first influence as a kid was The Beatles, which progressed to Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Rage Against The Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Clutch, too many to list.

3.Your Band

Twenty Two Hundred is myself, Drew Alig on drums, Marcus Kain on guitar/bass, and our latest addition Cam Brown on vocals. Marcus and I share the guitars and solos on the album, and share bass and guitar live. We formed in Melbourne about four years ago. We have done some international tours, opening for Slash a couple of times, Stone Temple Pilots, Coheed and Cambria, it’s been amazing. We’re opening on the Slash UK tour soon with California Breed, including Wembley Arena! Can’t believe it.

4.The Music You Make

We are a blues-driven heavy rock band with a lot of groove. It’s a blend of Rage Against The Machine, Led Zeppelin, Clutch, and even a bit stoner rock in places. I produced our EP Eleven [2010] at Woodstock Studios in Melbourne, and I mixed it literally in my bedroom. I also produced our first album Carnaval De VОnus [2013] at Sing Sing in Melbourne and Stagg Street Studios in LA. It was mixed by Andrew Scheps at his studio in LA, and he released it through his own label Tonequake Records.

5.Music, Right Here, Right Now

I think the music scene at the moment is the hardest it’s ever been. Bands have to fund everything themselves. You have to really love what you do. Having said that, we are very fortunate to have done the things we have done. The local scene has a lot of great bands and a lot of great music. It is thriving. I’m more familiar with the Melbourne live scene, but we’re playing at Frankie’s soon, and I’ve heard that’s a great rock venue in the Sydney CBD.

Catch Twenty Two Hundred at Frankie’s Pizza onThursday October 16.

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