They made a standout first impression earlier this year on the Download Festival circuit, so much so that Australian fans requested their return and that wish has now been fulfilled. Anaheim rockers, New Years Day will be bringing their debut headline tour down under in March 2020, hitting up Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
The four-piece are currently “living the dream” as they make their way through the States as part of their Unbreakable World Tour with mind-blowing reception from audiences.
“It has been insane, it’s so crazy especially being this kid from Santa Ana California, you never think the band that you join is ever going to actually do shit and to see all of these people come out to see your band and know who you are and singing your songs…” guitarist Nikki Misery says. “Like we’re not the support this time, we’re the headline show! All of these people are coming for us and it’s the most insane, humbling feeling ever. It’s the dream! It’s why we picked up guitars in the first place.”
It’s no surprise though. Now four albums into their career, with ‘Unbreakable’ released this past April receiving critical acclaim, branded their best album to date, New Years Day have been resurrected and are itching to make waves. Fusing strong pop influences from fellow Anaheim rock royalty No Doubt with their signature metal shredding along with frontwoman Ash Costello’s striking vocals are captivating New Years Day appeal to a wide audience, something they can’t wait to showcase in our venues.
“The crowd at Download were so much fun and they were so wild because they had never seen us before – I can honestly say that – but now it’s like we’re going to be in your face. We’re going to be in venues, we’re not going to be held off by barricades or these giant stages. Like, I’m going to be there in the crowd with y’all. I can’t wait to see how wild y’all get once we come back.”
Wild – absolutely, but Misery encourages fans to use their hips in the pit instead of their elbows.
“We like to rock obviously but we like to shake our hips too. Ash [Costello] mentioned this, this album was described as the heaviest pop album or the most metal pop album or the poppiest metal album, but still my favourite stuff is things you can bang your head and shake your hips to. If you can’t dance what are you doing? We’re not Cannibal Corpse! Let’s all move, get down! Dance with each other, don’t knock each other down,” he laughs.
Tickets were released on Friday 21 June for their Australian tour and venues Lion Arts Factory, 170 Russell, Factory Theatre and The Brightside are selling fast. If their Download experience or the incredibly crafted ‘Unbreakable’ has not convinced you to buy a ticket yet, then perhaps Misery’s energy and aim going into the live shows will.
“The only thing I really hope for every time we play a show is just to deliver a kick-ass rock and roll show that nobody forgets. You know, like, growing up listening to music you hear all of these stories of all of these amazing bands. For me, I remember hearing the stories of the legendary shows of what Led Zeppelin would do, what Jim Morrison would do, and you don’t get that really anymore. I just hope we can do a fraction of that for y’all. Like a ‘holy shit, I just saw one of the greatest rock and roll bands ever’ moment.”
How can you argue with that? Besides, their enthusiasm to return down under is second to none.
“I’d go now if I could! My bags are packed, literally- I’m on tour,” Misery laughs.
Catch New Years Day at 170 Russell Friday 20 March. Tickets at nydrock.com/tour
Written by Tammy Walters