The turn of the century was an interesting time to be alive. You had the doomsdayers who were convinced some bug called Y2K was going to wipe out the planet via technological genocide, and others who were convinced the world was going to come to a screeching halt at the stroke of midnight. For every theory was a counter theory, to the point where people were being driven to drink just to maintain some semblance of sanity.
Into the world was born an anthemic tune that was just good enough to divert people's attention away from all of the fear and uncertainty in the world and allow us to refocus on the one thing that will never let us down.
Music.
So when three young upstarts from Adelaide started a sonic movement that bucked the growing tide of uncertainty, its wings spanned the entire world, with people as far away as Transylvania heard running through the streets and yelling four simple words that, when put together, became the voice of a generation. The voice your mother warned you about. The voice of change. I can still picture myself screaming above the live band in those times, shouting those same four words that have now become as much a part of music folklore as Iron Maiden and those that came before or after them. Those words?
Turn That Shit Up. And the band responsible?
Adelaide's Testeagles, that's who. After putting out just the one sensational metal/indie rock album laced with electronic beats and samples called Non Comprehendus, Testeagles vanished into the abyss. Job done. Order restored.
Over the years, there have been many calls for Testeagles to return and finish what they had started, most of which fell on deaf ears until the band was coaxed out of retirement and onto the stage of last year's Froth & Fury Festival. The response was so overwhelmingly powerful and positive, it was only a matter of time before that one-off comeback became a fully fledged reunion, and the band did not disappoint, recently bowing to public demand by announcing a national tour in celebration of 25 years since the world collectively turned their shit up.
Returning to our early days of musical indulgence, HEAVY sat down for an entertaining chat with Testeagles drummer "Ady" Matt to fill in the many blanks. We start by asking how rehearsals are going with the first show only weeks away.
"We played a show last year for the first time in like 20 years or something ridiculous, and that was a nightmare trying to get ready for," Ady laughed. "We had our doubts because we hadn't played properly for a really long time, but this time around we've kept it together ever since we did that one-off show. And we've been jamming. We built this really cool rehearsal space so we get to do this all day, every day, and it's got us really firing."
With Testeagles having large electronic components to their music, we ask Ady how their live show has had to change in order to keep up with advances in the music industry.
"We weren't sure if we should just do exactly the same as what we used to, or if we should spice it up a little," he admitted. "We've ended up making a few changes - mainly due to all the different technology available - and it gives you all these ideas. We sat down and had a chat about it together, and thought about back in the day, and how it would sound now if we never stopped. We were always looking for the latest type of equipment and the latest tricks and things to do. I guess that's how we justify changing now, or thinking if we never got out of it, we would be completely different now to what we were then. So we've embraced some new technology, which is letting us do some extra things. I think it's a way better show now than we ever could have done back in the day, and it makes it probably more entertaining and interesting."
In the full interview, Ady conveyed confidence in the band's preparations for the tour after a long hiatus, despite the challenges of relearning older songs and accommodating the health needs of their bass player, Dave. He reflected on the band's musical journey since their formation in 1994, noting their eclectic influences ranging from rock to electronic music.
He recounted the unexpected success of their track Turn That Shit Up, which propelled Testeagles into the spotlight, while also revealing some initial doubts about their music's reception before it was released.
As the tour approaches, Ady expressed a mix of excitement and anxiety about performing as the main act, emphasising the importance of nostalgia for fans by prioritising classic songs in the set list. The conversation also touched on the eclectic blending of genres at Testeagles disposal and how they get the balance right in the creative process, and more.
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