Caleb Shomo Talks Australia, AC/DC Influences and Beartooth’s “Confusing” New Album, The Surface

Just sending a huge Happy Release Day to Beartooth for the release of their new motivational AF album The Surface. The fifth record for the metalcore-turned-hard rock outfit has landed and is shaping up to be their most unique and diverse album to date (our review here).

Earlier in the year when the band were touring Australia alongside Pierce The Veil, we sat down with mastermind Caleb Shomo to discuss the journey from the band’s conception to this new release – more info will be dropped soon on that special chat – but part of the conversation lead towards Caleb’s connection with Australia and the big rock band from down under that has influenced his career ten-fold.

We spoke about Beartooth announcing this record in Australia and it turns out that our country holds a special place in his heart, which dates back to his teenage years.

“The first time I ever came here I was 17 years old and it’s just always been one of the coolest places to play shows. It’s unfortunate that we come here so rarely [laughs] I wish we could come here more often, but every time we do it is really really special, so it was an honour to be able to come announce the record here and start the journey off in Australia.”

As the conversation rolled on, we turned our direction to one of the big juggernaut forces in hard rock. Australia’s very own AC/DC who have played a significant part in Shomo’s career as a musician. The band not only influence his writing and riffage, but the way he performs on stage.

“The thing about AC/DC that is so influential on me and why they’re my favourite band is the energy. I know there are a lot of criticisms on the music and it’s kind of the same thing over and over and all that, but that’s also part of why I love it. They do what they do at the highest level and they just don’t fuck around with it.”

“And also just their show, I mean it’s 110% the whole time which is very much like the Beartooth show. We start and we do not stop. We just keep going. If I don’t feel like I’m gonna pass out after the show, I didn’t do my job.”

“And that’s Angus Young. He’s kind of the king of that. They were incredibly, incredibly influential on me in so many ways as a musician and as a performer more than anything.”

When I pressed on about the idea of a collaboration between the pair, Caleb’s starstruck eyes glazed over and the fanboy from within came out.

“I don’t know what I would do if that ever happened. I would literally lose my mind [laughs] yeah, anytime AC/DC, you let us know. Let’s manifest it, sure – Beartooth x AC/DC collab.”

As the world starts waking up and hitting play on The Surface, you’re going to experience an album like no other, and that was intentional from the start. Caleb explained how this album was supposed to be one to sit on for a while, and if you’re confused by what you’re hearing, that was part of his plan.

“That is incredibly important on this record. I really wrote this record to be one that takes time. I wanted it to be confusing at first and even with ‘Might Love Myself’ being what we used for the proper announcement, that was very calculated.” 

“There’s gonna be a lot of twists and turns. I just wanted to push myself a little bit.”

What are you waiting for? Hook into The Surface below and embrace this new chapter for Beartooth – one that’s full of positivity, optimism and hope, while still retaining that hard rock edge they’ve honed in on so well.

Words by Paul ‘Browny’ Brown @brownypaul

Grab The Surface here

Beartooth – The Surface tracklisting

1. The Surface
2. Riptide
3. Doubt Me
4. The Better Me (ft. Hardy)
5. Might Love Myself
6. Sunshine
7. What’s Killing You
8. Look The Other Way
9. What Are You Waiting For
10. My New Reality
11. I Was Alive