In Profile: Talk Radio

 

Let's start at the beginning then. When did the band form?
I started the band back in 1998. Originally it was just me and the guitarist from my cover band at the time. By the time 2003 came along, I was doing it alone.
 
 Who's in the band?
Just me, Alex Papas. I write all the music and lyrics, play all the instruments and perform all the vocals, and create all the album artwork.
 
Were any of you in bands before?
Absolutely. My first original band was in the early 90’s. It was a prog rock group that lasted around 4 years. Since then I’ve lost count of how many groups I’ve been a part of and how many fill-ins I’ve done for people.
 
How would YOU describe your sound?
It’s alternative rock music, with influences mostly from 90’s grunge and alternative, but also 70’s and 60’s. One reviewer called me “post grunge”, which I think also works.
 
What are your musical influences?
Mostly bands like Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam, Radiohead, Queens of the Stone Age, Placebo, sometimes even The Beatles.
 
What have you been up to lately? any new stuff to delight our ears?
“Choose” is my newest album. I am also working on my next recording, but it’s not finished yet. I’m hoping to be in the studio next year.
 
 How about live dates? What have you been doing and what ya got planned for 2024?
Given I do this alone, it’s not really possible for Talkradio to perform live. I only gig with cover acts these days.
 
Name something about yourselves that fans won't know
Well, most of my fans are people I know (haha), so that’s a hard one. For anyone else, I guess the most unexpected thing would be that I have Tourette’s syndrome.
 
What's the most embarrassing moment you've had?
Oh damn, I’ve had lots of those on stage due to “exuberant” audiences, but most weren’t really “PG” moments. The first that came to mind was the time a band member pulled a group of girls up on to the stage in mid song, and in front of a screaming crowd of around 600, they vigorously tried to strip my clothes off me while I was singing. I eventually got them off me before it went too far… thankfully!!! (although I did have to put most of my clothes back on at the end of the song).
 
Do you have any superstitions? Any things you do before a show?
I’ve never been a superstitious person. Stages do not make me nervous. They actually calm me mentally. Performing on a stage is one of the only things I do that temporarily stops the symptoms of my condition. It’s almost meditative.
 
Are there any musicians or bands you'd love to work with?
If I ever did anything with Dave Grohl or Eddy Vedder, I would never be happier.
 
Any final thoughts?
Only that you can’t really sum up my sound from one song. You’d have to listen to an entire album to understand. Each song can sound quite different from the last. I’d also like to thank you for the opportunity, and thank everyone who actually took the time to read through this. It means a lot.
 
Photos and streaming links – www.talkradioaus.com.au
Facebook – www.facebook.com/talkradio.aus