Aussie bands making it big overseas should come as no surprise, but Melrose Avenue have turned heads at whiplash speed with their rise and signing to Hopeless Records.
They almost SOLD OUT an entire Australian and UK//EU run this year and will return to the stages supporting Rain City Drive and TX2 in March, but before then we catch up with guitarist Shawn Mayer (who long-term WoS readers may remember from one man band Igloo Zoo) to find out what music he was frothing this year and what's next for the fast-rising post-hardcore outfit.
TOP 5 RELEASES OF 2025
5 - Northlane - Node: Reloaded
4 - Arcane: League Of Legends: Season 2 Soundtrack
3 - Sleep Theory - Afterglow
2 - Yungblud - Idols
1 - Sleep Token - Even In Arcadia
TOP 5 SONGS OF 2025
5 - Dayseeker - 'Shapeshift'
4 - Bilmuri & Dylan Marlowe - 'EMPTYHANDED'
3 - Post Malone & Time McGraw - 'Wrong Ones'
2 - Sleep Theory - 'Gravity'
1 - Sleep Token - 'Look To Windward'
WHICH AUSTRALIAN BAND CAN’T YOU GET ENOUGH OF?
That is a tough one!! There are so many incredible Aussie bands on the circuits right now.. but I’m gonna have to push for my boys in Polaris
BEST GIG YOU PLAYED THIS YEAR AND WHY?
We played shows across the whole US in front of big Ice Nine Kills audiences, along with a couple headline shows in the states too, but nothing will compare to our sold out headliner show in Sydney. That was a magical night for all of us.
TELL US ABOUT A CAREER HIGHLIGHT YOU HAD IN 2025
Our first few shows in the US were a bit of a mess, so when we got up in front of 1,500 people in Kansas City, Missouri and absolutely NAILED our set, we all got off stage and were crying and hugging each other and jumping with joy. It was possibly one of the best memories and an absolute career highlight for us. People dream of this and we nailed it
WHAT IS THE CURRENT STATE OF NEW MUSIC?
Oh my word, there is SO much new music in our folders.. probably about 20-30songs that were sifting through to find the absolute best gems. I’m a producer and Vlado is a great writer and we’re constantly writing new songs to try push ourselves and make the best stuff possible. Also helps when you work with incredible producers and writers like Tyler Smyth (Falling In Reverse, I Prevail), Eric Emery (Blink 182, Alice Cooper) and Josh Landry (Lø spirit, The Funeral Portrait)
ANY SNEAK PEEKS OF INBOUND PLANS NEXT YEAR?
Lots of new songs, lots of touring, and a heap of Doritos to eat (Doritos, plzsponsor us)
BEST ADVICE GOING INTO 2026?
Keep writing, keep playing, keep finding new music and discovering new artists. Be kind to your friends and spend time with your family. Remind the person you haven’t spoken to in ages that you miss them. And be the best version of you possible
Words by Shawn Mayer @redddcurl
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