INTERVIEW: MEMPHIS MAY FIRE IN CONVERSATION WITH MATT MULLINS
Interview by Cecilia Pattison-Levi
Memphis May Fire are returning to Australia following a run of sold-out concerts around Australia. They sold-out The Triffid that left fans across Brisbane on a waiting list. This was repeated across Australia. So, it is with great excitement that Memphis May Fire are returning to play the Princess Theatre in April with their friends Blessthefall. They are promising the same level of energy but with added spice!
“We didn’t want to wait to come back to Australia,” explained Matty Mullins. “It had been too long since 2025. Then, there were all these full venues, with many fans getting in touch with us saying they missed out on seeing us. So, we thought we had better get back quickly”.
Memphis May Fire formed in Denton, Texas in the USA in 2006. The band consists of lead guitarist Kellen McGregor, lead vocalist Matty Mullins, bassist Cory Elder, and drummer Jake Garland. The band has quickly become one of the most compelling names in American metalcore music. Their debut EP and first full-length album ‘Sleepwalking’ showcased the band blending melodic lyricism and aggression with their southern influences in heavy rock 'n roll, western swing, jazz and blues. And today Memphis May Fire’s latest albums ‘Shapeshifter’, ‘The Other Side’ and ‘Remade In Misery’ demonstrate this fantastic refinement in the band’s musical blends and how vocalist and songwriter Matty Mullins’ beautiful voice marked a pivotal shift in the band’s soundscape from 2008.
“Really, Kellen is the band’s secret weapon,” exclaimed Matty Mullins. “He can just put this music together. He plays guitar, bass, and drums. And when he creates demos, they are almost perfect and fully formed. It’s amazing to then be able to write and think about vocals from this starting point. As a band, we know this is not super common and we feel really fortunate, we can feel the emotion in the song and he provides us with a cohesive and grounded sound”.
Memphis May Fire are currently on tour. Matty Mullins is chatting to No Barriers from Salt Lake City.
“We are on a rest day during our second chapter of our US Shapeshifter Tour,” stated Matty Mullins. “We are having fun playing live. But as a band, we realised that if we get into a new album cycle and with all our international touring, we might have put off coming back to Australia. We didn’t want to do that because the gap between tours after this one could be another five-year stretch. So, we made the decision to get back as soon as possible”.
“We have never had a bad experience in Australia. In fact, it has always been so much fun. In July, there were some wildlife guys who came to the venue to show us animals like snakes and koalas They gave us the best experience when we had such limited time,” said Matty Mullins. “When, we come back in April, we are bringing a completely different concert experience for fans: the same intensity will be there but there will be a different setlist, better production and of course our friends Blessthefall”.
Memphis May Fire are going to bring Phoenix, Arizona heavyweights Blessthefall for their first Australian gigs in nine years. It is a massive double bill that spans more than two decades of modern heavy music from the US.
“We are going to bring the spice, our fans can expect a night of high-intensity energy,” stated Matty Mullins. “We promise it’s going to be a great night with two bands playing their best. We love playing with Blessthefall. By this time, we will probably even have some new music. We write even when we are on the road. The recording is harder, and a new album will be probably on the cards in 2027, but you never know – we are really proud of the latest albums and want any new album to be that good”.
Memphis May Fire return to Australia in April 2026 for a national tour with their friends and special guests Blessthefall.
April 24: Melbourne at the Northcote Theatre
April 25: Sydney at the Manning Bar
April 26: Brisbane at the Princess Theatre
April 28: Adelaide at the Lion Arts Factory
April 29: Perth at the Magnet House
Tickets are on sale now via The Phoenix.
