The Migrant Shop Boys find their common denominator in their similar upbringings, and despite their varied taste in music, they bring together a uniform sound, and showcase it in a killer, old school rock and roll show. They can’t wait to hit the stage next at The Factory Theatre, where they’re scheduled to go head to head with eight other incredible bands to get to the final round of the Emergenza Festival. Before the show, they share their excitement with Emergenza.

CAN YOU GIVE US A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO YOUR BAND THE MIGRANT SHOP BOYS?
The Migrant Shop Boys are a four-piece Sydney based rock band. We have an old school rock mentality. Straight up, no filler guitar based rock. Four guys who grew up in the back of migrant shops who are using their backgrounds and their music as a common denominator. That is The Migrant Shop Boys.

WHAT BANDS HAVE INFLUENCED YOUR SOUND, AND IN WHAT WAY?
Jay loves Slipknot, Joe gets into Hendrix, Spiro likes Faith No More and Benny is influenced by The Foo Fighters. All these bands are dynamic with a wide range of style and talent. MSB take influence from all types of music and try to encapsulate this into our sound.

WHO WRITES THE SONGS AND WHAT ARE THEY ABOUT? WHAT'S YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS LIKE?
The band as a whole writes the songs, with Benny and Joe being principal songwriters. All songs are formed together as a band in the same room with equal input from all members. All our songs come from life experiences, everything we see and do.

WHICH ONE OF YOUR SONGS DO YOU THINK SPEAKS TO YOUR FANS THE MOST AND BEST REPRESENTS YOU AS ARTISTS?
“Love Me Like A Suicide”. This song is high-energy with a driving beat. Old school rock with great dynamics and a fantastic melody. Everything The Migrant Shop Boys is about.

UP TO THIS POINT, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY HAS BEEN THE BAND'S BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT? OBSTACLE?
Staying together as a band has been the biggest accomplishment to date. Since the band formed the members have all had adversity and challenges within and outside of the band. But through all these obstacles the band has survived and now thrive.

WHAT WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE FIRST ROUND FOR YOU?
The highlight of the first round was definitely winning the support of the crowd and taking the most votes of the night.

HOW DOES IT FEEL BEING ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE EMERGENZA FINALS?
It feels great being one step closer to the Emergenza Finals. With the opportunity to play such a great venue as The Factory, the band is pumped for a big night.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR UPCOMING GIG AT THE FACTORY THEATRE?
We hope to get a great gig out of the night and hopefully get one step closer. We hope to keep the vibe alive.

WHAT'S A LIVE MIGRANT SHOP BOYS SHOW LIKE?
Fast, loud and full of energy.


WITH OTHER BATTLE OF THE BANDS COMPETITIONS AROUND, WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE ON EMERGENZA?
Emergenza is the largest and most professional battle of the bands. The venues are excellent. The opportunities offered by Emergenza are unequalled by any other battle of the bands.