BRMC Down Here

A Black Rebel Motorcycle Club fan website

BRMC will be at Austin Psych Fest 2023 on APRIL 29th

AUSTIN PSYCH FEST
April 28-30, 2023
Two stages, one venue, under the trees and stars at The Far Out Lounge and Stage!
3 Day Passes + Single Day Tix are on sale NOW.
Grab em here:
We’re so damn excited to see everyone + this lineup in April! Gonna be a great weekend in Austin, Texas, can’t wait.
Poster by Fez Moreno

BRMC join 2023 Mallorca Live Festival on May 19th in Spain

BRMC have just joined the 2023 Mallorca Live Festival on May 19th in Spain along with The Dandy Warhols and Moderat and many more, tickets on sale now!

PORTUGAL AUGUST 26th- BRMC at ‘Vilar De Mouros Festival’

JUST ANNOUNCED: PORTUGAL AUGUST 26th- BRMC will be performing ‘Vilar De Mouros Festival’ in 3 weeks! Tickets available in the link below!

https://www.festicket.com/pt/eventgenius/vilar-de-mouros/2022/shop/

Interview with Leah Shapiro of BRMC

March 1, 2022

By Liane Chan

There aren’t many bands I’ve followed as much as Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. My history with BRMC as a fan is a long one, with miles of travels, stories and friends made, and lost acquaintances in between. Over the years, the band has evolved with the addition of Leah Shapiro replacing original drummer, Nick Jago. Joining guitarist Peter Hayes and bassist Robert Levon Been, Leah helped write a new chapter in their rock n’ roll story. 

I was offered a last minute zoom interview with Leah Shapiro in conjunction with Under the Southern Stars festival tour happening in Australia later this month. Of course, I jumped at the chance to interview the drummer of my favorite band. Our conversation touched upon current events and unfortunate passings, life during the pandemic, and what it’s like touring Australia in the past and how it might be in this coming month.

What have you been up to in the downtime of the pandemic?

Leah Shapiro: Oh god, that’s the question that everybody asks and I will say again that I have not been within that group that has been able to learn new languages and all kinds of skills and been hyper productive at all. I had a hard time focusing on anything throughout this. Managed to get a couple things done, a couple of recordings here and there. But a lot of it was staring at walls, as well, and questioning my sanity. 

I remember hearing a couple of your podcasts, they were very long-form so those were interesting.

LS: Oh my god, yeah. I think I know which one you’re referring to, was that the one with me and Pete and Jared and Brian – the Vacant Lots guys?

Yes, I think so that was like 2 hours or so of interviews. It was an interesting conversation.

LS: Yeah, I don’t know how that happened. I don’t think any one of us would be able to talk for that long alone.

I mean who wants to talk about anything for two hours. 

LS: Yeah, I don’t know.

What did you think of Rob’s solo album debut and the Card Counter soundtrack?

LS: I think he did a great job, yeah, that’s such a huge task to take on. I think he did a great job. Yeah, I’m happy for him.

Yeah I think so too, it was a pretty impressive undertaking in a time where most people are…  

LS: Impressive undertaking under normal circumstances, with everything else going on, extra impressive.

Has the passing of Mark Lanegan affected you or anyone in the BRMC camp much?

LS: Yes, of course. We have mutual friends, and I’ve been reaching out to friends who personally know him that have obviously suffered a huge loss. I don’t feel like it’s my place to talk about. It’s incredibly sad, I’m sure it’s really difficult for his family, his wife, and loved ones. 

You’ve been to Russia and Ukraine before, what are your thoughts on that current situation?

LS: A year or two ago, I wouldn’t imagine this happening. My heart is absolutely breaking for everyone there, it’s fucking awful. I don’t think there’s much that I have to say about that. 

I hear about this stuff secondhand, so it’s hard for me to really imagine everything going on there. 

LS: Yeah, I’m sitting over here in LA. Aside from seeing the news, it’s hard to imagine what’s going on. The last time we were there was June 2018. It’s sad and heartbreaking and I hope it gets resolved in some way, shape, or form sooner than later. 

How many times have you been to Australia now and how is it different from the other world tours? 

LS: This will be my third time, I know the guys for sure were there a couple of times before I was with the band. I remember the first time we went there, we went to both New Zealand and Australia, we went bungee jumping in Auckland, rented motorcycles, and did all kinds of fun stuff. It’s so far away and it’s really hard to get there, so we make the most of it when we do because you never really know if you’re going to get back there again because it’s quite an undertaking to get there.

From what I remember, tours and stuff over the course of the years, get mixed together. I always remember the shows being really great and I’ve always enjoyed every time we’ve been there. Last time we were there, our routing was chased by Hurricane Marcus, kind of messed with our flights a bit. Our gear showed up way late for one of our shows. It’s like little weird things like that I remember very clearly. 

Of course, this run will be a little different due to the circumstances and we will probably not be able to go out and about as much as we normally would, which is completely understandable especially with a traveling festival. That’s a big thing to put on in the best of times, it’s a big undertaking now.

Yeah, I’m sure. (Australia) It’s a huge country and the tour is kind of all across it.

LS: Yeah, we usually play bigger cities and I’m definitely seeing a bunch of places on the map that I have not been to before or necessarily heard of so that’ll be cool to get to see some new parts. There are a couple long drives, which I don’t mind – I get to see stuff out the window since we normally fly from city to city. Yeah, we’ll get to see something new on the drives.

Yeah, a real road tour again. That’ll be exciting. 

LS: Kind of like going back to van tours. 

Do you have any future tour plans or possibly albums or is that secret?

LS: No there’s no big secrets going on right now, we’re just playing it by ear. I’m sure you probably know this is the first touring we’ve done since 2019, so I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little bit nervous to get back onstage after having been sitting around in sweat pants for way too long. We’ll see where the world is at once we get back from this, and where things are at, what’s possible to do and whatnot. 

It’s been really difficult to try to plan anything. As you know everything is so unpredictable, and every time things seem to be going all right then they go sideways again. It seems like a better idea to just kind of roll with it and see where things are at.  Once we’ve been able to do this, then we can figure out what we want to do after that.

I’ve seen a lot of tours being canceled still. 

Yeah. That can be really scary. It can be really financially difficult to cancel shows if someone gets sick. That’s a bit of a rough one 

Hopefully everyone stays safe and things go as planned for this tour.

The organizers are definitely doing a good job with that and we’re going to be staying on top of things on our end as well. 

Did you know (March) is Women’s History Month? 

LS: I think I’ve been running around like crazy since I woke up around 5 AM, and I’ve been running around, but did I see that in passing while I was waking up and having my coffee. Yes, it is Women’s history month. 

Do you see there’s any kind of change in the world of rock for women? 

LS: You know what, I do. I’ve been seeing more and more female musicians in bands, I don’t necessarily love the sort of differentiating between female drummer and male drummers. It gets a bit frustrating. I’ve seen more and more great female musicians both in their own bands and session players. It seems like there’s more of a community of women (not just musicians) in all areas in the industry. How about you, have you noticed? 

Yeah, there are a lot of female musicians lately, and it does seem like a positive change. Things have been going well, not just in rock, but in all types of music. 

I have some questions I’ve gathered from fans, they might get a little silly. 

How’s Poof and does he have an instagram yet?

LS: I wanted to post about this when it happened, but I just haven’t been able to do it yet. So I guess you are going to be the first person that I tell. Poof passed away last year at the end of March, which of course, was completely fucking heartbreaking. So that happened, the first part of when lockdown happened, I spent literally every day with him aside and he was aside from Pete, I was going to say the only person that I talked to. For well over a year, I would do whatever Poof wanted to do, so it was nice that I got a good dose of quality time with him before that happened. 

On that note, I want to say thank you to a lot of people who brought Poof presents over the years on tour. I still have a lot of things that weren’t edible, obviously he ate that. I have like pillows and clothing that people made him, and I want to say thank you so much for that for people that brought that. He was a sweetheart and a very special guy. 

I’m so sorry to hear that and bring it up.

LS: I thought about posting, but at the time I couldn’t do it.

I know that’s too tough, I lost my cat of like 18 years.

LS: I’m so sorry. It was a lot harder to deal with than I – I had anticipated it would suck a lot – but it was a lot worse than I thought it would be. 

Nothing prepares you for that kind of thing. 

Sabrina wanted to know how your jam sessions happen and if they come together separately or all at once.

LS: Both ways, there’s been instances of… “Funny Games” is an example of like, I was in a rehearsal studio playing drums on my own and I’d been messing around with this beat and I recorded it on a very crappy Blackberry, because of course the microphones are not equipped for that, it was super distorted and had a melody to it, and I brought that to Rob and I think he kind of built the bass line off of the distorted melody that existed in that, so that’s one way that happens. Most of the time we’re in the room together. So it comes in every shape or form. A lot of weird accidents…

Shelley asked if you listen to a lot of music aside from BRMC and what are your favorites?

LS: Humanist is my favorite record of 2020. That’s one of my more recent favorites. Depeche Mode, Black Ryder, newer records Humanist is incredible, Mark Lanegan who you mentioned earlier, his solo records, and albums with Soulsavers are incredible. 

Thanks for taking the time to speak with me today.

UNDER THE SOUTHERN STARS 2022 PLAYING TIMES

Under The Southern Stars
the spectacular rock music concert series, is just WEEKS away!

Featuring rock royalty Cheap Trick, global rock superstars, Bush, the legendary Stone Temple Pilots, and the epitome of rock n roll, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club! 
As well as Australian rock royalty Rose Tattoo and rock icons Electric Mary!

Featuring a rotating headline position across all 12 shows, no two nights will be the same.
The Playing Times for all shows can now be revealed.

UNDER THE SOUTHERN STARS 2022
PLAYING TIMES

Fri, March 11: Maitland Showground, Maitland, NSW
Gates: 3.00pm
Electric Mary: 3.50 – 4.20pm
Rose Tattoo: 4.45 – 5.30pm
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: 5.55 – 6.40pm
Stone Temple Pilots: 7.00 – 8.00pm
BUSH: 8.30 – 9.30pm
Cheap Trick: 9.50 – 10.50pm

Sat, March 12: Foreshore Reserve, Hastings, VIC
Gates: 1.30pm
Ben Hazelwood: 2.30 – 3.00pm
Electric Mary: 3.20 – 3.50pm
Rose Tattoo: 4.10 – 4.55pm
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: 5.15 – 6.00PM
Cheap Trick: 6.30 – 7.30pm
Stone Temple Pilots: 8.00 – 9.00pm
BUSH: 9.30 – 10.30pm

Sun, March 13: JC Lowe Oval, Yarrawonga, VIC
Gates: 1.30pm
Ben Hazelwood: 2.30 – 3.00pm
Electric Mary: 3.20 – 3.50pm
Rose Tattoo: 4.10 – 4.55pm
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: 5.15 – 6.00PM
BUSH: 6.30 – 7.30pm
Cheap Trick: 8.00 – 9.00pm
Stone Temple Pilots: 9.30 – 10.30pm

Wed, March 16: Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne, VIC
Doors: 3.55pm
Rose Tattoo: 4.55 – 5.40pm
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: 6.00 – 6.45PM
BUSH: 7.05 – 8.05pm
Stone Temple Pilots: 8.25 – 9.25pm
Cheap Trick: 9.45 – 10.45pm

Fri, March 18: Bonython Park, Adelaide, SA
Gates: 4.00pm
Germein: 4.45 – 5.15pm
Electric Mary: 5.35 – 6.05pm
The Black Sorrows: 6.25 – 7.10pm
Rose Tattoo: 7.30 – 8.15pm
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: 8.35 – 9.20pm
Cheap Trick: 9.45 – 10.45pm

Sat, March 19: Bonython Park, Adelaide, SA
Gates: 12.00 Midday
Ben Hazlewood: 1.30 – 2.00pm
Electric Mary: 2.20 – 2.50pm
Flyying Colours: 3.15 – 4.00pm
The Superjesus: 4.25 – 5.10pm
Rose Tattoo: 5.35 – 6.20pm
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: 6.45 – 7.30pm
Stone Temple Pilots: 8.00 – 9.00pm
BUSH: 9.30 – 10.30pm

Sun, March 20: Bonython Park, Adelaide, SA
Gates: 12.00 Midday
Dallas Crane: 1.30 – 2.00pm
Electric Mary: 2.20 – 2.50pm
The Badloves: 3.15 – 4.00pm
Killing Heidi: 4.25 – 5.10pm
Rose Tattoo: 5.35 – 6.20pm
Cheap Trick: 6.45 – 7.45pm
BUSH: 8.15 – 9.15pm
Stone Temple Pilots: 9.45 – 10.45pm

Tues, March 22: WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong, NSW
Doors: 4.00pm
Electric Mary: 4.55 – 5.40pm
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: 6.00 – 6.45pm
Cheap Trick: 7.05 – 8.05pm
BUSH: 8.30 – 9.30pm
Stone Temple Pilots: 10.00 – 11.00pm

Wed, March 23: Quodos Bank Arena, Sydney, NSW
Doors: 4.00pm
Electric Mary: 4.55 – 5.40pm
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: 6.00 – 6.45pm
Stone Temple Pilots: 7.05 – 8.05pm
Cheap Trick: 8.30 – 9.30pm
BUSH: 10.00 – 11.00pm

Fri, March 25: Kings Beach Ampitheatre, Caloundra, QLD
Gates: 2.00pm
Electric Mary: 2.55 – 3.25pm
Rose Tattoo: 3.45 – 4.20pm
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: 4.40 – 5.25pm
BUSH: 5.45 – 6.45pm
Stone Temple Pilots: 7.15 – 8.15pm
Cheap Trick: 8.45 – 9.45pm

Sat, March 26: Southport Sharks, Gold Coast, QLD
Gates: 1.30pm
Electric Mary: 2.55 – 3.25pm
Rose Tattoo: 3.45 – 4.20pm
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: 4.40 – 5.25pm
Cheap Trick: 5.45 – 6.45pm
Stone Temple Pilots: 7.15 – 8.15pm
BUSH: 8.45 – 9.45pm

Sun, March 27: Riverstage, Brisbane, QLD
Gates: 2.00pm
Electric Mary: 2.55 – 3.25pm
Rose Tattoo: 3.45 – 4.20pm
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: 4.40 – 5.25pm
BUSH: 5.45 – 6.45pm
Cheap Trick: 7.15 – 8.15pm
Stone Temple Pilots: 8.45 – 9.45pm

To say it has been a long time coming is an understatement but the wait is finally over!
The bands are primed and ready to rock and they are the first international music acts to tour Australia in over two years!

Remember the thrill of live music? The pounding drums, the screaming guitars, the roar of the crowd and singing along to your favourite songs…
Under The Southern Stars is your chance to experience all that again like it was your first time!

Tickets are on sale now and selling fast. Get in quick and be part of history
www.underthesouthernstars.com.au

All previously purchased tickets are valid for 2022 see website for details.

UNDER THE SOUTHERN STARS 2022 #UTSS2022 (Mar 11-27) full schedule announced!

Under The Southern Stars the spectacular rock music concert series, is thrilled to be taking place in March 2022.

Featuring rock royalty Cheap Trick, global rock superstars, Bush
and the legendary Stone Temple Pilots! As well as Australian rock royalty
Rose Tattoo and rock icons Electric Mary. Plus recently added to the line up are the epitome of rock n roll, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club!

The wait is over and UTSS Event Producers can now reveal details for the rock solid dozen concert events in store for audiences in March 2022!

UNDER THE SOUTHERN STARS 2022
Fri, March 11: Maitland Showground, Maitland, NSW
Sat, March 12: Foreshore Reserve, Hastings, VIC
Sun, March 13: JC Lowe Oval, Yarrawonga, VIC
Wed, March 16: Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne, VIC
Fri, March 18: Bonython Park, Adelaide, SA
Sat, March 19: Bonython Park, Adelaide, SA
Sun, March 20: Bonython Park, Adelaide, SA
Tues, March 22: WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong, NSW
Wed, March 23: Quodos Bank Arena, Sydney, NSW
Fri, March 25: Kings Beach Ampitheatre, Caloundra, QLD
Sat, March 26: Southport Sharks, Gold Coast, QLD
Sun, March 27: Riverstage, Brisbane, QLD

Presale starts Friday, Nov 26 @ 9.00am AEDT until 5.00pm Sunday, Nov 28 AEDT.
Register for presale access before 5.00pm on Sunday, Nov 28 for discounted early bird tickets.
General Public On Sale Monday, Nov 29 @ 9.00am AEDT
www.underthesouthernstars.com.au

All previously purchased tickets are valid for 2022 see website for details.

The announcement of the complete tour dates and venues is expected to be met with major approval from fans all over the country who have been incredibly loyal as they patiently waited for the series to be rescheduled.

The feverish reaction of Adelaide audiences to UTSS headlining the Adelaide Fringe across the three day weekend of 18-20 March has made it necessary for organisers to break the seal early on second release tickets for rock hungry fans, which are now available!

The message is clear for all audiences elsewhere – get in quick to avoid disappointment!

Promoter Andrew McManus comments, ‘‘To say we’re excited by finally being able to announce Black Rebel Motorcycle Club as a new addition and FOURTH high profile international rock band joining our already stellar line-up is an understatement!  UTSS2022 will without a doubt rock audiences to the core and give them what they’ve all craved since March 2020 – a line up that features the bands and the music they love – both Australian and International artists up in front of them in the flesh and playing their hits, live…it has been way too long!”

Under The Southern Stars has been granted approval for all #UTSS2022 artists and their crew to enter Australia under strict covid guidelines, ensuring the utmost health and safety of all event patrons, staff, vendors and artists and crews.

With the nation slowly emerging from the most trying period of our lives, we are extremely EXCITED to get the show back on the road and deliver one hell of a rock n roll experience for fans everywhere, TIMES TWELVE!

We know we’ve asked a lot and we sincerely thank everyone out there for their patience and faith in us to deliver the events that we have promised. All previously purchased tickets are valid for the new shows*, so #keepyourticket and see you under the stars!

To purchase tickets and for detailed information about all shows, visit
www.underthesouthernstars.com.au

Psycho Las Vegas postponed to August 19-22, 2021

Posted on Psycho Las Vegas’s Facebook Event page a few days ago:

Attention current and future ticket holders:

Gambling is in our blood but we can’t roll the dice on this one–Psycho Swim and Psycho Las Vegas have been rescheduled to August 19-22, 2021. Nearly all bands have signed on for the new dates but we are awaiting confirmation from one final artist before presenting our updated lineup. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience.

Once our updated lineup is announced, refunds will be available for anyone who can’t join us in 2021, and hotel rooms purchased through the Fan Block will be automatically refunded. For more information, please visit our Festival FAQ.

www.vivapsycho.com/pages/faq