Interview by Angela Croudace
After more than 15 years, grindcore titans Pig Destroyer will finally return to Australia, and frontman J.R. Hayes couldn’t be more thrilled. “We’re just really, really excited,” he said. “It’s hard to get all the stars to align, but we’re finally doing it.”
Their long-awaited comeback is bolstered by the inclusion of Singaporean grind heavyweights Wormrot as tour support. “They’ve been one of the top grindcore bands for the last 10 years,” J.R. said. “You just have to make sure they don’t blow you off the stage.”
Known for their blistering speed, raw aggression, and lyrics that dive deep into the bleakest aspects of the human psyche, Pig Destroyer isn’t softening with age. “We always just try to write the craziest thing we can,” said J.R. “We don’t care about record sales—we never have. We just want to play it as hard as we can.”
While their music is undeniably dark, the band members are anything but grim. “Live, we’re just a bunch of idiots,” J.R. laughed. “You can’t really cover that up.”
A staunch believer in the rawness of sound, J.R. remains adamantly against over-polished production. “The best music is flawed music,” he insisted. “When things are too perfect, it just becomes Katy Perry to me. It doesn’t sound like it’s made by people.” If Pig Destroyer's next album ends up being a live one, let it be known that the idea was planted into J.R's mind by one incredible interviewer for Heavy Mag (I'm talking about myself).
For first-timers catching Pig Destroyer on this Australian run, expect chaos in the best way, a full assault on all the senses. “Usually it’s the mosh pit that hits them first,” he said. “Then the volume—it’s so loud it becomes a physical experience.”
As for what keeps the fire burning after decades in the underground, J.R. summed it up simply: “We never wanted to be a popular band. We just wanted to be a crazy band. Grindcore scratches an itch that nothing else can.”
Catch Pig Destroyer with Wormrot on Aussie shores in September.
TICKETING DETAILS https://swdpresents.com
PIG DESTROYER with guests WORMROT performing at:
Sept 2nd – Perth, Amplifier Bar w/ Bile Cannon, Allocer*
Sept 4th – Adelaide, Lion Arts Factory w/ Meth Leppard
Sept 5th – Melbourne, Max Watts w/ Tongue Scum
Sept 6th – Sydney, The Factory Theatre w/ Crown Street Militia
Sept 7th – Canberra, The Baso w/ Blight Worms
Sept 9th – Brisbane, The Triffid w/ Awful Noise
Sept 10th – Townsville, The Warehouse w/ Varrim*
Sept 12th – Auckland, Galatos w/ Imperial Slave, Sawnoff*
Sept 13th – Christchurch, Loons w/ Vixen Execution, Unyielding Desolation*
Sept 14th – Wellington, San Fran w/ Glassblower, Post Natal Abortion*
*Wormrot not appearing in Perth, Townsville or NZ
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