DEADHEAT | INTERVIEW + TRACK REVIEW

Deadheat is the kind of band that reminds you why you fell in love with music in the first place. Loud, loose, and full of heart, this Sunshine Coast four-piece has been flying the flag for feel-good punk since 2012—well, kind of. After an early run of sweaty shows and a self-titled EP, the band hit pause, only to return a decade later with more fire, more fun, and a whole lot more riffs.

Now firing on all cylinders with their latest EP It’s Not a Phase, Mum, Deadheat is mixing nostalgia, humour, and honesty in a way that feels fresh and unfiltered. We caught up with the crew to talk skate-punk influences, stage chaos, and what’s next for a band that never really left the scene—just took a breather before diving back in harder than ever.

TRACK REVIEW

Birdwatching kicks off with a riff from the gods—shooting straight through the speakers and grabbing you instantly. The drums are so well mixed on this one; you can tell the boys spent some serious time perfecting them to hit just right.

The vocals throw you straight into the middle of an old Aussie pub or a gritty punk rock dive. There’s a rawness and familiarity that feels both nostalgic and alive.

What really stands out in Birdwatching is the way the beat configurations and tempo shifts keep the whole track feeling fresh and unpredictable. It’s the kind of song that would absolutely rip live—would love to see how the energy of this one translates on stage.

And seriously—“I’m gonna slap this motherfucker that named these birds”—that’s hands down the funniest line I’ve heard all year. Brilliant work, fellas. New fan over here.

LISTEN HERE

Tell us a bit about the journey so far, what kicked off Deadheat back in 2012, and how has your sound evolved since those early days?

It started from Watto (Vocals/Guitar) and myself (Drums) knowing each other from indoor sports and me knowing Drew (Bass) and Badger (Guitar/Vocals) from a previous band. We came together, played about 12 shows in 18 months, realised a self-titled EP and then called it quits (2014) - it just had lost the fun element and wasn't working.

Then, in 2022, Drew and Watto reached out to me to see if I wanted a jam. It happened, was fun, and sounded tight. A short time later, we asked my mate Brad (Guitar/Vocals) if he wanted to join. He was keen and since then Deadheat has never been better. Dynamically, musically, creatively - on every level. One of the main reasons behind the this was that fact that everyone was (and does) contribute to all parts of the song making. Beforehand, it relied on Watto 90% of the time. Now, we all bring ideas, riffs, vocals, melodies to the table. It's much more a collaborative process.

You’ve said your music is basically “anything that would’ve been on a Tony Hawk soundtrack.” What’s the one song from those games that’s forever iconic to you?

Goldfinger - Superman. It's iconic. Super nostalgic. Takes me back to that era.

Your latest EP It’s Not a Phase, Mum is such a punchy title. Was there a specific moment or idea that sparked the name?

We were throwing around names for ages, then it just hit. I think it was kind of a joke at first, but then when we sat and gave it some thought - it made perfect sense. We are still playing, listening and loving the music we did when we were in our teens.

Lyrically, there’s a mix of humour and honesty in your songs. How do you balance the two when writing?

I think it's important to write music that is true to you as individuals and a band as a whole and what you believe in and stand for. It's always fun first for us, above anything else. Songs that make us smile, laugh or/and are engaging, catchy and funny seem it hit home with us and our fans. On the other hand, we also have a couple of songs about wellbeing, being there for each other and kissing (shout out to Watto) as these are every day topics that hit home for everyone - at one point or another.

Your live shows have a rep for being loud, loose, and a little unhinged. What’s been the wildest or most memorable gig so far?

Loose haha. At times. We like to bring energy to a show. Jumping and movement and general (as I said earlier) fun. Probably the loosest point of each set is when I swap places with Watto (Vocals), meaning he plays drums and I sing - for one song - Kitchen Hand Job. It's a heavier track that goes for about a minute haha. Then, straight back into pop punk! I get into the crowd for this track and there's always some pretty hectic crowd participation!

You’ve got a show with Fake News coming up, how do you prepare for a support slot like that vs. your own headliner?

About the same to be honest. A mixture of practising the setlist, crossing the 'T's and dotting the 'I's' and promoting the show.

If Deadheat was a character in a video game, what would your special move be and what soundtrack would play when you enter the level?

Hmmm. To make everyone jump haha. Soundtrack.. Well, we do have a song called Soundtrack of Our Lives - so maybe that haha.

Punk has always been about community. How has the Sunshine Coast punk scene shaped who you are as a band?

Sunny Coast has always had a strong punk rock (and alternative music in general) scene. As far as shaping us as a band goes - one of the biggest things to mention is the bands and people we've met and become friends with. It's a pretty tight knit scene, but at this same time, very inclusive and accepting.

What can fans expect from the rest of the EP coming later this year, any surprises or sonic shifts?

Feel good sing-a-longs. That's all I'll say for now - but super excited for everyone to hear.

You’ve been at it since 2012. What keeps you going, and what advice would you give to a band just starting out now?

Fun and friendship. We are family first and a band second. When you are having fun and enjoying what you do, you are more likely to produce better music. And, that's we've done. We build from song to song. We don't take ourselves too serious and can see that this attracts us to people, who can then connect with our energy, outlook and songs. Advice wise - have fun and let the rest just happen!

LISTEN HERE