Interview by Kris Peters
The Smooth Criminals themselves – Alien Ant Farm – have all but arrived on Australian shores for a nostalgic party celebrating their sustained success over a long period.
In a sense, the US rockers have become victims of their own success following the runaway success of their 2001 cover of Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal and the smash hit single Movies. Although propelling Alien Ant Farm to international acclaim, the songs also proved to be so popular that most of the band’s other material is often discounted.
Which is a shame, because these guys are more than just a two-trick pony. Much more.
Take songs like Yellow Pages, Homage, Godlike, Glow, Forgive & Forget and Last dAntz as a starting point and the true musical force of the good-time rockers starts to become more apparent. But, luckily for Australian music lovers, Alien Ant Farm are headed this way very soon to prove their mettle when they kick off a national run of five shows with Drowning Pool and Frankenbok.
Also touring on the back of their critical and commercially lauded new album Mantra, Alien Ant Farm hit these shores with a point to prove, with guitarist Terry Corso joining HEAVY to tell us more.
In the full interview, we discussed the band’s upcoming Australian tour in February 2025 and the tour schedule, which includes stops in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth. Terry expressed his excitement for returning to Australia after a long absence and reminisced about the band’s last visit in 2002.
The conversation also delved into the band’s musical evolution, spanning from their debut album Greatest Hits to their latest work, Mantra. We explored the band’s experimentation with various musical styles, the influence of iconic bands like Weezer, and the growth and learning experiences that have shaped their sound. The discussion provided insight into the band’s creative process, their journey as musicians, and the diverse influences that have contributed to their musical evolution, plus heaps more.
ALIEN ANT FARM and DROWNING POOL, February 2025 Australian Tour Dates:
Friday February 7 – BRISBANE, Princess Theatre
Saturday, February 8 – SYDNEY, Metro Theatre
Sunday, February 9 – MELBOURNE, Northcote Theatre
Tuesday February 11 – ADELAIDE, Lion Arts Factory
Wednesday, February 12 – PERTH, Magnet House
TICKETS ON SALE NOW FROM: https://thephoenix.au
