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Interview with
ADY MATT
from
TESTEAGLES

(12th September 2025)

Interview by Paige Clifford

Watch the whole interview below:

It’s been three decades since Testeagles first came together in Adelaide, and their story is one of genre-bending creativity, unexpected success, and a fiery return to the stage. Amnplify’s Paige Clifford sat down with Ady Matt, drummer of the band, to reflect on their journey and what lies ahead as they gear up for their upcoming tour.

The Early Days

Ady and his brother Matty didn’t originally plan on being in a band together. Their clashing music tastes — Ady deep into death metal and grindcore, Matty obsessed with grunge — meant it wasn’t an obvious pairing. But with Ady’s drum kit anchoring rehearsals at their family home and bassist Dean bringing punk influences into the mix, their musical fusion naturally took shape.

“It made us kind of interesting,” Ady recalls. “We all brought our own different flavor.”

Inspired by genre-crossing collaborations like Public Enemy with Anthrax, the Testeagles began blending rap, hip hop, punk, and heavy guitar-driven sounds, carving out a unique place in the Australian scene.

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Rise to Success

From 1994 to 2000, the band went from local Adelaide gigs to national tours. They played relentlessly across the country, sleeping on floors, sharing bills with interstate bands, and building a loyal fan base. Their 2000 debut album Non-Comprehendus became a breakout success, pushing them into the spotlight.

But with that success came legal battles, financial strain, and the pressures of turning fun into business. “We were just stupid kids who liked to play instruments,” Ady admits. “We didn’t know the right or wrong thing to do in the industry. Eventually, the spirit was kind of killed.”

By 2008, Testeagles had stepped away from the scene.

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The Return

Fast forward to 2024, when the band reunited for a show that reignited the spark. The nerves, the doubts, and the heavy workload were all there — but so was the magic. “We didn’t even know if our arms and fingers were going to work properly,” Ady laughs. But the crowd’s reaction made it clear: fans had never forgotten them.

Now, Testeagles are back in full force, preparing to tour again. This time, they’re determined to savour every second. “We’re going to enjoy every moment of this tour. There are even kids who’ve discovered us through their parents — 18, 20-year-olds who’ve never seen us before. That’s pretty wild.”

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Playing Non-Comprehendus in Full

For the first time ever, the band will perform their debut album Non-Comprehendus from start to finish. That includes Ocean, a song that has never once been played live. “Fans are going to be pretty excited for that,” Ady promises.

Unreleased Gems

Surprisingly, there’s more in the Testeagles vault. After their debut, they recorded a collection of songs that never saw the light of day. Among them is a collaboration with one of their musical heroes: Vernon Reid from Living Colour. “We recorded a song with him, and we’ve never released it. That blows my mind,” says Ady. The possibility of finally sharing that music with fans lingers as an exciting prospect.

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Reflections and Rapid Fire

Ady’s stories range from nearly missing a major festival set after a wild overnight sprint from Adelaide to the Gold Coast, to travelling overseas to catch special shows by Machine Head and Sepultura’s Cavalera brothers.

When pressed on his favourites, he cites Machine Head’s The Blackening as his go-to album, Nine Inch Nails as an all-time artist, Lars von Trier’s Melancholia as his favourite film, and even a guilty love for Pepsi Max Vanilla.

On the deeper side, Ady reflects on the positivity in Testeagles’ lyrics — something he didn’t fully appreciate until later. Songs like Underdog and No Other Life carry messages of resilience and joy, standing as a testament to the band’s enduring spirit.

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What’s Next?

With the upcoming tour locked in and the possibility of unreleased music finally emerging, the Testeagles are set to give both longtime fans and a new generation something to celebrate.

“We’re just back in that zone now,” Ady says. “It’s what we do again. And this time, it’s going to be all about fun.”

Testeagles’ tour kicks off next month. Don’t miss your chance to seeNon-Comprehendus performed live in full for the very first time.

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TOUR DATES

Thurs, Oct 9: Mo’s Desert Clubhouse, Gold Coast
Thurs, Oct 30: The Gov, Adelaide
Mon, Nov 3: Max Watts, Melbourne
Thurs, Nov 6: Factory Theatre, Sydney
Thurs, Nov 13: The Triffid, Brisbane

Tickets

Watch the whole interview below:

Follow TESTEAGLES
Linktree – Instagram – Facebook – Spotify

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AMNPLIFY – DB