Schuylar Croom, frontman of North Carolina’s sludge metal five-piece He Is Legend, enjoys the simple things in life. “I can’t wait to get back to the sunny shores of Australia – and it’s going to be hot, right? I think I’ll pack light,” he says with a slight Southern twang. “I have the most vivid memories of sitting on the beach at sunset with only my acoustic guitar playing the Tom Waits song ‘Make It Rain’.I love Tom Waits – that’s one of my favourite tour memories for sure.”
It’s been a long time between beach trips. He Is Legend’s last visit Down Under was a national tour back in 2007. “We met the guys from The Amity Affliction and I Killed The Prom Queen – it was a lot of fun. They showed us all these amazing places to eat. I told you we were pretty simple dudes!” Croom laughs. “Seriously though, Australia is a beautiful country and we can’t wait to see all the friends we made last time. Also the response for the new record has been overwhelming, so we’re itching to play it live.”
2014’s Heavy Fruit is the band’s first album since returning from hiatus in 2011. With a new lease on life and a few changes to the lineup, Heavy Fruit is arguably the best 13 songs He Is Legend have ever released. “With the inclusion of Sam [Huff, drums] and Denny [Desloge, rhythm guitar and backing vocals], we were on a path of speaking into existence where we wanted to be as a band, and I think we’ve accomplished it on Heavy Fruit,” says Croom.“Denny and Sam have been close since grade school and that shows in the way they play together – even when they’re just jamming they sound incredible! Sam is an amazing drummer and Denny’s willingness to try the harmonies I’d written is something I’ve never had before. I feel like everything we set our minds to happened. It’s been pretty magical.
“Even when it’s cold out and we’re sick, especially like now in the winter of North Carolina – and even though all I wanna do is be at home on the couch – I can’t deny that part of me wants to be up onstage. Right now we’re livin’ the dream – I can feel the sunshine calling me,” he jokes. “When I think about it, these last six months on the road have been some of the best we’ve had as a band. We’ve had our setlist locked down for a while, which includes songs from Suck Out The Poison and It Hates You, so we hope to play for as long as we can. Then we’ll get out in the crowd, hang with friends and listen to the tunes. I could do that all day!
“Playing a festival like Soundwave is like winning a radio contest and the prize is free tickets to all your favourite bands,” Croom adds. “It’s like [sings], ‘Two tickets to paradise’. That’s why we’re so excited – the only catch is we have to play a show first, but that’s OK. I’m waiting to see Marilyn Manson, The Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden, Faith No More – the list goes on. I can’t believe they’re playing the same festival we are. We’ll feel just like kids in a candy shop; so lucky. If 2015 is as good as the last couple of years, we’re on to a good thing, and we’d jump at the chance to get back in the studio, but I promise we won’t be strangers.”
Catch them atSoundwave Festival 2015alongsideFaith No More, The Smashing Pumpkins, Incubus, Slipknot, Fall Out Boy and many more atSydney Olympic ParkfromSaturday February 28 to Sunday March 1.Heavy Fruit out now through Tragic Hero.
