Ezekiel Ox - Mammal 'Building Momentum in A Good Place Ahead of Thrashville'
As we start to warm up for the incoming Summer Music Festival Season, the Hunter Valley's annual Thrashville is kicking off festivities a little earlier with it's two-day camping outing next weekend at Dashville.
Featuring a collection of 'slightly heavier' acts than usual, we'll see the likes of COG, Wildheart, CIVIC, Fifth Dawn, Downgirl and more ripping up stages over the weekend - September 8-9 alongside one of our favs, Mammal.
Hellbent on catching up with frontman Ezekiel Ox - we grabbed the man in question for a catch up including insights into their new album, what he's been doing outside of the music industry and the festival itself - which he's played before and has nothing but great things to say about it. Hook in!
Zeke - welcome back to Wall of Sound - Give us a rundown of what's been going on in your and Mammal's world lately!
Great to be back, Mammal likes to think we create our own "wall of sound" ourselves when we play so it seems appropriate. I've been busy flying in and out of Melbourne for parties, family time and the odd Demons game after I moved to Lake Macquarie NSW in 2020. Like most bands and people, Mammal and I have been steadily finding our feet after the lockdowns, and learning how to live, love and rock again after some massive changes for all of us, including meeting our awesome new bass player Kade Turner, who fits like the proverbial glove.
Probably the biggest change for me personally is that I'm 6 weeks off finishing my law degree at the University of Newcastle, and am already working in the criminal defence and child protection space with the Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT, which has given me new and exciting ways to speak truth to power and advocate for the vulnerable.
Up until I started working towards becoming a lawyer, I used the microphone and megaphone to advocate for people, which is what punk rock is all about.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSe8qvEzmPI
Congrats mate, that's so punk rock too! You'll be hitting the stage at Thrashville next weekend - what was it about this festival that had you signing up?
Yeah, Thrashville is great! I've been lucky enough to play the festival before with my solo band, and can report to anyone reading this that if you haven't been, then you should beg, borrow or steal to get a ticket.
It's such an epic weekend out under the stars and eucalypts, sick music, plenty of other entertainment, and great crew. It's also got that smaller boutique feel for a festival, which is awesome because it has the production and vibe of the bigger gigs, but without the long lines for a beer or the dunnys.
Probably worth mentioning that the mighty Cog are on the bill as well, and that the equally as mighty Mammal will be playing some new songs at the show. You'll never know, if you never go!
Music festivals hold a very special place in our music-loving hearts - can you recall a fun festival experience you had?
I'll break this down into two categories, as a punter and festivals I've played.
As a punter, my fondest memories are my earliest at the Port Fairy Folk Festival. 8 years old, running around with schoolmates, watching Yothu Yindi, Redgum, Erig Bogle and Goanna Band was just epic, and made me want to become a songwriter. Like Thrashville, it was a camping festival, and being away from the humdrum and noise of regular life always had a magical feeling, and I made memories I'll never forget.
As an artist, the Big Day Out 2009 is my highlight so far. We were just confirming the hype around us and converting it into some massive shows, and I got paid to watch Neil Young and The Prodigy every night. Add to that mates TZU, Karnivool and Cog on the bill, it was a very blurry, but fucking epic time as young people.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AERfP0FRh5s
What's the current state of Mammal's music-making? We know there's an album on the way, how close are we to seeing something drop?
Great question! In a nutshell: very fucking close! We've finished recording, and can announce here for a Wall Of Sound exclusive that the always meticulous Forrester Savell will be mixing the album, which only bodes well for the release. Forrester has been responsible for the mixes on Karnivool, Helmet, Cog, Dead Letter Circus and a myriad of other artists.
The album is one big, belligerent, sexy punk/funk party, and we were blessed to work with the always calm and considered Jimi Marudous (Avalanches, You Am I, The Living End) on production duties. If you like it hard, fast and with plenty of guitar solos, then you're gonna love this record.
Following next weekend's performance, how's the rest of 2023 looking for you?
Album planning. So film clips, mixing, artwork and in true Mammal style, writing more music. Pete dropped 10 new tracks into my inbox the day after we wrapped recording on this album, which is exciting. The band is in such a good space at the moment, and we just want to build momentum and keep pushing forward.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cv1uhl7y4Xd/?img_index=1
In the spirit of the name, what's your go-to thrash song? The one you know will pump you up every time?
Jump In The Fire by Metallica. It reminds me of Zane and I laughing on tour. We used to sing "jump in the shower!" to each other when we were back at the hotel and prepping for the after party. Some of my happiest memories as a young fella.
As always a pleasure chatting mate. Sounds like plenty of BIG things on the horizon for Mammal, it all starts next weekend.
Interview by Paul ‘Browny’ Brown @brownypaul
Thrashville kicks off September 8th!
September 8-9 @ Wonnarua, Hunter Valley NSW
