Interview by Angela Croudace
Brisbane-Gold Coast hard rock outfit Scandal Tree are stepping into bold new territory with their latest single, Tooth Fairy—a darkly playful tale that showcases their signature blend of eclectic influences and collaborative chemistry.
“The idea behind it was a tooth fairy throwing a tantrum when they run out of milk teeth to collect,” says vocalist Huck, who brought the concept and twisted tone to life. Guitarist Jason originated the core riff, which Huck describes as having a Misfits vibe with a punk undercurrent. The resulting track leans into a gritty, genre-blurring sound—equal parts moody, intriguing, and heavy.
Having cycled through multiple line ups since forming in 2019, the band has evolved significantly over time. Huck, now fronting the band as their third singer, recalls first crossing paths with Scandal Tree during a COVID-era gig, eventually leading to a jam session—and the rest is history.
Guitarist Grant says the band’s changing line up has been central to their ever-shifting sound: “We started out with more of a ‘70s metal vibe, then went into hard rock, and now… we’re somewhere else entirely. Every member brings something different.”
That difference is on full display across their upcoming album, which promises to be a rollercoaster of styles—from punk to mellow doo-wop. “We didn’t want every song to sound the same,” says Huck. “Each one takes on a life of its own.” Having had the chance to listen to the album early, I can say that whilst it’s hard to label these guys as one specific genre, given almost every track differs from its predecessor, I picked up some nods to Kyuss and Queens of the Stone Age, making for an enjoyable listen.
While they’ve battled injuries and line up changes, Scandal Tree has remained creatively active. Their songwriting process is intensely collaborative, often starting with guitar riffs from Grant or Jason, then shaped and arranged by Huck—who’s known for killing darlings in favour of song flow. “Sometimes we have to cut our favourite riffs, but it’s always for the best,” Grant says.
With a new video for Tooth Fairy – out now – described as “dark and a little Lynchian”—and tour plans in the works, Scandal Tree are proving their name is more than apt. Unpredictable, unpinnable, and definitely worth a listen.
