Punk Rock Factory Are Ready To Tear It Up In Australia
UK cover kings Punk Rock Factory are heading back to Australia this November, and if you think you know what to expect, think again. Their shows are an unpredictable mashup of mayhem, crowd banter, infectious punk energy, and somehow, it all feels like a house party with your best mates… if your mates happened to have guitars and unlimited energy.
“Last time was all class,” says guitarist Ryan Steadman. “It was a good turnout for our first time over, so we’re hoping for just as good, if not better, this time.”
With a set that changes from night to night and city to city, no two Punk Rock Factory gigs are ever the same. “Absolute nonsense and chaos,” laughs vocalist/ guitarist Peej. “Every single show is different. We’re just there to have a laugh, and it comes across because we’re genuinely loving it as much, if not more, than the crowd.”
It’s this attitude that fuels the Punk Rock Factory live experience: equal parts punk rock concert, comedy set, and full-blown sing-a-long. “It’s like being in a room with your mates,” says Peej. “We’re up there messing around, bantering, getting the crowd involved, it’s not about playing fifteen or twenty songs and clocking off. It’s about sharing a moment.”
The band thrive on spontaneity and crowd energy, constantly adjusting their set list to match the vibe. “We have staple songs we always play,” Ryan says, “but we shift things depending on what’s viral or relevant. What we play in Australia will be different from Japan, which is different from the UK or Europe. We’re always tailoring it.”
Then there’s the challenges of the set list Ryan adds, “it’s exciting, but also difficult, because there’s too much to choose from. We do struggle with that. We always joke that we’ve got every single song that’s ever been written at our disposal, so we’re never going to run out of ideas.
Their secret weapon? Nostalgia reinvented! With punk covers that turn cherished childhood anthems into head-banging fuel, they know exactly how to win over even the most skeptical gig-goers. “There’s always one guy dragged along who reckons he’s not into it,” says Ryan. “By the end of the show, he’s grinning and singing louder than anyone.”
And Aussie fans can expect a few national treasures to sneak into the set list. Last time around it was John Farnham’s You’re the Voice, and this time? They’re fishing for local suggestions. “Midnight Oil, INXS, Grinspoon?” I propose. “The list is huge.”
For a band that got its start recording from home and uploading to social media, the leap to sold-out tours and festival stages is still surreal. “Honestly, every day’s a pinch-yourself moment,” Ryan reflects. “We played the stadium in Cardiff the other day and just looked at each other like, ‘What is happening?’”
“We stay grounded,” adds Peej. “But don’t get us wrong, we’re buzzing. Talking to you in Australia, from my garden, in sunglasses… all because of this band? That’s fucking mind-blowing.”
Some of their wildest moments come from musical heroes becoming part of the story. Their punk take on Papa Roach’s Last Resort ended with front man Jacoby Shaddix crashing their late-night Czech festival set and jumping on the microphone to sing it with them. “He’d said he wanted to check out our version,” says Peej. “Next thing, he’s on stage, then hanging out with us backstage until 3 a.m. telling us how much he loves what we do.”
It’s this mix of absurdity, heart, and sheer love of the craft that keeps Punk Rock Factory grounded, despite the altitude of their rise. And it’s clear their last trip to Australia left its mark. “We were so jet-lagged in Brisbane, we were just roaming the streets at 3 a.m.,” laughs Ryan. “Got spooked by something in the bushes, we were legging it from what was probably a twig. Tour joke for weeks.”
Asked what they look forward to most about coming back, the answer is simple: the people, the weather, and the sheer thrill of doing what they love halfway across the world. “Playing shows, jumping on a plane, seeing crowds in Australia buying tickets to see us,” Peej says. “Then off to Japan right after. It’s wild.”
November’s shaping up to be an epic month for live music in Australia with Metallica, Oasis, AC/DC, and now Punk Rock Factory added to the roster. Not bad company, and judging by their energy, Punk Rock Factory aren’t just joining the lineup, they’re ready to tear the roof off it.
Interview By Rob Lyon
Catch Punk Rock Factory on the following dates, tickets from The Phoenix…
