A Dirty Dozen with JAMES FEEKES from BANKS ARCADE – October 2026

According to a recent press release: “Genre-defying heavy innovators BANKS ARCADE unleash the video for their explosive new single “YUCK!,” the final taste of their sophomore album SECOND PLACE SUPERSTAR, arriving worldwide on September 25. Unhinged, infectious, and impossible to ignore, “YUCK!” captures Banks Arcade at their most volatile. Built around crushing and stompy riffs, electronic grit and rapid-fire vocal delivery, the track erupts with an energy that feels equal parts metalcore anthem, club-fueled chaos and pure confrontation. Since emerging from New Zealand and establishing themselves in Melbourne’s heavy scene, Banks Arcade have developed into one of the most distinctive and unpredictable acts in modern alternative music. Their 2022 debut album Future Lovers introduced a fearless collision of metalcore, alternative, hip-hop, and electronica, while the 2024 releases DEATH 2 and A Muse pushed individual sides of their sound even further.” We get drummer James to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

There’s a lot of different sounds to digest, so I’d say a few listens will be necessary to take it all in. The final track on the album may not be what people expect and it’s a very meaningful collaboration between me and Josh, so I’m excited to see people’s reaction to that. Also a few lyrical references to my IG tag / alter ego are on there too which is fun.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

My dad playing classic rock bands like Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin is the reason I have such an appreciation for music. Even though he’s not a musician himself, he is insanely passionate about it and loves to dig into the details of what he likes about it even though he may not be familiar with the actual theory involved. When I was 10 my parents took me along to drum lessons that they had signed my younger brother up to because he was tapping all the time (he’s the real natural musician). Once I discovered Metallica, it was all over.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Watching the DVD of S&M after my high school music teacher loaned it to me for the summer was a foundational experience in my musical progression. I’ve also been obsessed with James Hetfield forever.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Nik Roos (Sleepnet, Noisia, Ring Noord) so that I can just watch that man work. He is my absolute favourite producer and I love everything he touches.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

Unfortunately I have almost zero interests outside of music, so if I’m not working on band related things I just want to be at my laptop producing my own electronic music. I mean I like food too so maybe eating nice food? Or hanging out with my girlfriend (yes I have one).

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

Music for muscular men who also get sad sometimes but that also love their friends. I have never cringed and shall never do so in the future.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Ok right now, out of those options I’d say Benny would cook, I would smash multiple beers and Josh would absolutely be the acoustic guitar guy. If you’re asking who is the funniest / coolest / charmingest, it’s me.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

Josh did hit me the other day if that’s what you mean.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

I love producing the songs themselves and performing them live with my boyz. My dream job would be Whale to Human Communication Specialist (WHCS). Or male gigilo.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I’ve always wanted someone to ask me on a date in an interview. I would say yes. Weirdly I never get tired of answering questions because I actually have a genuine condition in which one of the symptoms is a compulsion to answer questions.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I regret taking Fit For a King’s six-pack of mango beers from the green room fridge after I thought they had left the venue (they hadn’t; they weren’t happy (whoops)).

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

I wouldn’t actually want my playing on any of the records I can think of, but I would love to be an audio engineer or something, present for the recording of Nefertiti by Miles Davis so I could witness the power and inventiveness of Tony Williams in that performance.

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Category: Interviews