Interview by Ali Blackdiamond

“Tasmanian Devils” TABERAH begun their life in 2004 and soon became a force to be reckoned with on the live scene from 2006 onwards. In 2011 they were handpicked by Lemmy Kilmister from MOTORHEAD as the opening act on the Sydney leg of their Australian tour.

The band released their debut album “The Light Of Which I Dream” in 2011 and are currently working on their second, “MMXII.” METAL SHOCK FINLAND‘s Blackdiamond recently caught up with guitarist and vocalist Jonathon Barwick, read the interview below:

Hi Jonathon and welcome to Metal Shock Finland! How are you today?

Quite well thank you Ali!

To begin with, can you tell me about the band’s name, as it’s an unusual one, does it have some particular meaning?

It’s Hebrew for ‘ablaze’ – I went looking in the bible, not for all life’s answers, for a band name and found one.

What is happening with the band right now?

We just signed on with a new manager – Axel from a company called Rock n Growl Promotions in Germany. We’re stoked to be working with him and we’re keen to see what he can bring to the table.

You released your debut album “The Light Of Which I Dream” in 2011, how was it received by fans and critics?

Well we obviously did something right because people either LOVE it or HATE it. That’s the way things have always been for us. It’s quite a common thing for a new band in Tasmania to openly trash talk us, it’s all a big ‘joke’ when we see them in person of course.. It’s great! Like I said, we must be doing something right.

You worked with Stu Marshall recently (EMPIRES OF EDEN) from Frontier Studios, what was the reason for this decision?

‘The Light’ sounded great, but to compete with the market you NEED to get your stuff mastered properly – we had neither the funds nor contacts to get The Light mastered – luckily for us Stu LOVED the first album and offered to help in anyway he could with the 2nd.

You’re often labelled as a ‘Power Metal’ band, and it seems you guys aren’t fond of that description?

It’s not that we’re offended – we are all big fans of a few power metal bands. But to label us as that will most likely leave people disappointed when they hear us haha. I’m vocally more influenced by Bon Scott, Mick Jagger and Lemmy as opposed to the big range type guys – so my singing is a bit rough around the edges and really does not compare to the likes of Queensryche or Edguy. So here it is Finland – we are a heavy metal band with a heart of rock n roll.

Photo by Pfeiffers-Photography

The band’s influences are cited as IRON MAIDEN, BLACK SABBATH, THIN LIZZY and QUEEN, lots of British rock and metal, what is it that you all love so much about these and to what extent have they influenced you?

You forgot our biggest influence which is AC/DC! We love them because they are the best. Pure and simple. The lifestyle these bands portray is what we’re all about. Musically we learnt (from them) to keep it simple and have plenty of hooks and always keep your integrity in everything you do.

Can you tell me what TABERAH’s upcoming plans are over the next few months, and longer term, do you have any plans to visit Europe?

We can’t wait to get to Europe! It’s a promised land. The last place on Earth that a band like us can make a good living! Haha but for now we’re working with Axel to get our album to the right ears and we’re saving for maybe some festival runs in Europe 2014.

What is your opinion about today’s rock and metal scene, especially in Australia?

There’s some great bands down here, and some promoters doing great things. But it’s hard when you have concert goers saying “ah I was gonna come but it was raining” haha or a promoter telling you that not enough people came so only the soundman gets paid tonight. It’s a good thing Taberah love music because sometimes music doesn’t love Taberah hahaha, we always have fun though, there’s always a bar open late with good laughs inside or a pool to jump into naked from the 2nd floor – we’re never bored on tour haha.

If you could choose any stage in the world to play a show on, where would it be and why?

Glasgow Apollo – because AC/DC did
Wembley – because Queen did
Hammersmith Odeon – because Motorhead did.

As your final message, what would you like to say to the Metal Shock Finland readers?

Thanks for reading! Be sure to check out Darker Half, Soulforge, Rampage, Lord, Electrik Dynamite and Megahera if you want some quality heavy music in your ears!

Thanks a lot for your time Jonathon!

Thank you for yours!

TABERAH are:

Jonathon B – Guitar + Vocals

Myles “Flash” Flood – Guitar

Tom “Bam Bam” Brockman – Drums

Dave “The Doctor” Walsh – Bass

Photo by Mick Burke

For more info about TABERAH, check out this location.