Jesse Leach (Killswitch Engage) Interview 2017

Killswitch Engage singer Jesse Leach riffs on life with host Christina Rowatt backstage at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney on the 2017 “Alive or Just Breathing” 15th anniversary tour. Full content guide below:
00:00 Thoughts on the Alive or Just Breathing tour and touring Australia
01:25 A moment from “My Last Serenade” live in Sydney. Full song:    • Killswitch Engage - "My Last Serenade...  
01:36 Playing in Seemless and becoming anonymous on the stoner rock circuit; falling back in love with touring
02:20 The origins of thrash, Adam D’s super dynamic production values of Alive or Just Breathing
02:53 What came before KSE and informed their sound, from Paradise Lost to Def Leppard
04:50 Wayne’s World references: Garth and his endorsements and the roadie speech from Wayne’s World 2
06:03 Time Bandits, science fiction & watching Alien as a kid
06:58 The hilarity of heavy metal; discovering punk and hardcore
07:58 Adam D in fine form backstage at the Soundwave Festival, 2012
08:46 Old school hip hop; having fun onstage and never taking yourself too seriously
10:31 First phone call from Adam: appearing on a compilation of psychedelic versions of Slayer songs that fell through
11:27 Slayer pioneered the crossover style; Earth Crisis paid tribute to Slayer
12:01 Punk rockers who just want to solo
12:45 A moment from “My Curse” live in Sydney. Full song:    • Killswitch Engage - "My Curse" live a...  
13:00 Never phoning it in, stepping away and developing a new language & confident stagecraft
14:20 The prophetic nature of the lyrics on “Alive or Just Breathing”
15:02 A moment from “Life to Lifeless” live in Sydney
15:21 Starting to record “Alive or Just Breathing” a month after 911, the lyrical story. Calling bullsh*t on the cult of fear and finding new ways to unify world citizens
15:47 A moment from “My Curse” live in Sydney. Full song:    • Killswitch Engage - "My Curse" live a...  
18:18 Catalyst moments with the singer from Boston band Sam Black Church and the power of onstage eye contact and real human connection
19:58 Being open about mental health issues and making people that are struggling feel less alone, the last closet for so many families; the link between great artists and being on the edge
23:18 Records to soothe the soul
24:21 Playing “Alive or Just Breathing” songs in 2017 and taking the leap of faith to rejoin the band; the most important thing - travel
26:06 Going to Paris with his wife, staying in love for 17 years and what it’s really like to walk alongside someone who knows you better than you know yourself
28:55 A guest appearance from Lemmy of Motorhead on wine, women or song
29:12 Why Lemmy is a badass, all or nothing human being
30:15 The graceful exit of David Bowie, a true artist forever
31:07 Staying true to yourself, mates who are punk purists; the Decline of Western Civilisation doc series
32:17 The majesty and comedy of Australia’s own King Parrot
33:30 What he missed the most about his Killswitch Engage bandmates
34:41 Adam D’s old drummer costume and whistle moves