EXPANDING HORIZONS

Winston mccall looks back on the high points of Parkway Drive’s 15-year-career

2003: THE VERY FIRST GIG

“When we started, the only goal was that we got to do a gig at the Byron Bay Youth centre. to get together enough songs that people mosh for the whole gig. and they did.”

2005: RECORDING Killing With A Smile WITH ADAM D IN THE US

“two-and-ahalf weeks of madness, one day of vocals and our first defining step down a long road.”

2006: THEIR DEBUT LONDON SHOW AT THE UNDERWORLD

“I think we opened for evergreen terrace. Underworld shows were crazy for us from the first time we played there – I don’t think we’ve ever had a dull one.”

2007: THE FIRST US TOUR

“Sleeping bags and starvation. We had so little funds. I bought 20 cobs of raw corn and ate it uncooked for three days straight while we waited to play another gig.”

2009: DOWNLOAD DEBUT

“It blew our minds. It was literally the biggest mass of people we had ever seen and it was the first time we reassessed what might be possible for the band. I can’t remember the gig, too much adrenaline.”

2010: WINNING AN ARIA AWARD FOR BEST HEAVY METAL ALBUM

“the first time the australian record industry had to recognise how big the heavy music scene had become. Winning was nice; the fact that it got so big they had to create a new award for our community was better.”

2012: SELLING OUT LONDON’S ROUNDHOUSE

“It was carnage from start to finish. It was the first time we brought fire to the UK and we got two blasts in before we had to shut it down, it was too crazy. If we could do the roundhouse, then we could do anything.”

2015: IRE HITS THE US AND UK TOP 30

“It was satisfying. after the stress of creation and the fact that we had to recreate ourselves on faith alone, it was amazing to see our faith in ourselves replicated so massively by old fans and new.”

2017: BLOWING AWAY BRIXTON ACADEMY

“that was just mental. It was a big show, so we pulled out all the stops with the fire and the drumkit. Why not be ambitious?”

2018: HEADLINING DOWNLOAD FEST’S SECOND STAGE

“the prize now is to connect with as many people as possible, and give them as much in your life as you can. It’s amazing to play it again. Would be want to headline the main Stage? Give me the fucking shot and we will.”