The Texan metalcore veterans are set to return to Australia in 2025, joined by ATREYU
Memphis May Fire have something brewing. That much is clear. As I catch up with lead singer Matty Mullins over the phone from his home studio in Nashville, Tennessee, it’s impossible to miss the knowing grin on his face.
“I can’t say what it’s for, but I can say it’s been a long day in the studio,” he teases, delivering the line with a subtle wink that says it all. It’s clear: something big is on the way for Memphis May Fire fans. But before we get ahead of ourselves, the band’s upcoming Australian tour is already a sure thing—and it’s got fans buzzing.
The tour, which will see the Texan outfit joined by California’s ATREYU, came together in record time. Just a month passed from the idea to booking the dates—an impressively quick turnaround in an industry where such things can take years.
When asked about the decision to tour with ATREYU, Mullins makes it clear: it was a no-brainer. “Brandon [Saller] from ATREYU is a good friend of mine,” he says. “He’s actually a neighbour, so we’ve been hanging out quite a bit.” The two bands have shared the stage before on a co-headlining tour across America, and Mullins reflects fondly on the experience. “The camaraderie was great; the shows were too,” he notes. It only made sense to bring that energy to Australia, especially since it’s been ten years since Memphis May Fire’s last visit.
The last time they toured Australia, Memphis May Fire were supporting Parkway Drive. Mullins lights up when recalling that experience. “We played the high school they went to in Brisbane. That was super awesome. Aussie fans are really stoked for any band to come over there. We’re putting in a good amount of effort, and the fans are putting in a good amount of effort to get there.”
When I ask if the band plans to get into any of the chaos that characterised their past Australian tours, Mullins is quick to shoot that idea down. “I don’t know, man. These days we’re pretty serious about what we do. In touring life, that translates to early nights, lots of sleep, and drinking water.”
It’s not the rock ‘n’ roll answer you might expect, it sort of makes sense. After 16 years of touring across the U.S., Canada, Europe, the UK, and Australia, Mullins sounds like someone who’s outgrown that side of the lifestyle. The band was once full of sweaty, adolescent exuberance—now, they’re seasoned professionals.
“We were just kids running around,” Mullins reflects. “Now, we’re getting older. We get excited about bringing our A-game, and for the most part, we’re fairly tame.”
Memphis May Fire are returning to Australia in promotion of their upcoming album, Shapeshifter. Due for release on March 28, Mullins and the rest of the band are understandably fired up.
“It’s like a taste test of all the different flavours we’ve adopted,” he explains. “For people that really enjoy our heavy stuff and people that really enjoy our radio stuff. Shapeshifter is the heaviest Memphis May Fire song ever. We’re taking all the things that define us as a band and really defining them. Every aspect of who we are as a band is showcased, and it’s exciting.”
Looking back on their 16 years in the industry, it’s clear Memphis May Fire has come a long way. Mullins, who was just a kid from Washington State when he joined, never imagined he’d end up living in Tennessee, let alone joining a Texan band. His initial connection with the group came through a MySpace audition—yes, you read that right.
“At the time, I was real serious about the local band I was in. But I thought to apply because it seemed interesting. Out of 180 auditions, they thought my audition stood out,” Mullins recalls. “Then I went to Dallas, flew down, and we ended up jamming in Kellan’s living room.”
It was a daunting experience, and Mullins was definitely out of his depth as an 18-year-old, newly married and unsure of what he was walking into. But 16 years later, the gamble clearly paid off.
“It’s a pretty crazy story,” Mullins reflects. “But anybody with any success in anything has a story of risk. And how the reward would never have come without the scary stuff attached to it.”
Of course, the road hasn’t been all smooth sailing. The music industry has undergone significant changes over the years, and Memphis May Fire, like many other bands, has had to adjust to new challenges. As the industry became more difficult to navigate, Mullins admits the passion they once had began to fade.
“For us as a band, the passion we had early on, coupled with some of the successes, led to so many outside voices, and the stress was hectic. It robbed us of some of that passion,” Mullins says. “You don’t see it slipping away until it’s gone.”
It was the pandemic, of all things, that brought the band back to their roots. “It was such an eye-opening time to figure out what we wanted. You get rid of so much noise and influences from people that don’t want anything more than your wallet. If you remove all of that, it’s just you, the music, and your listeners. After removing that, the passion came back.”
Now, with that renewed sense of purpose, Mullins says the band feels like teenagers again when they write. The creative process is different these days—they’re more focused on fun than anything else.
“We force that kind of space when we’re creating,” Mullins says. “Right now, we’re a band that’s making music and we’re going to have fun with it. We haven’t got those distractions anymore. So, when we’re done, the whole world can start turning again for Memphis May Fire.”
Memphis May Fire are touring Australia with ATREYU in July 2025. They will be visiting Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. Tickets can be accessed here.
