THE END OF PARKWAY DRIVE? (Winston McCall interview) | The Punk Rock MBA Podcast

Winston McCall of Parkway Drive talks about "Getting Heavy: How Parkway Drive turned to therapy to save the band", the new Parkway Drive album "Darker Still," canceling their tour, how they made it as an Australian metalcore band and more!
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[@FinnMckentyPRMBA]

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[@oops6876]

Winston has such a nervous, but sweet demeanor. We must protect him at all costs

[@FinnMckentyPRMBA]

WE WILL DEFEND THIS MAN 🫡

[@christiandauz3742]

Parkway Drive and Architects should focus on EPs and Singles I believe their new sounds can work but it needs focus and quality Would like them to collaborate with Falling in Reverse, Korn, Bring me the Horizon, Rise Against or Slipknot!

[@Szczauqa]

@@christiandauz3742 Definitely. Trimming excess fat would make their recent albums much more enjoyable

[@shredhead4604]

I have nothing against change and as a matter of fact promote it, so long as it never strays too far away from the sound and what earned a band their fans in the first place. Couple of good examples, Sevendust, 311. Though they will experiment they still sound like the bands we know and luv. Actually I will even throw Emmure into that and here they are a band that has had numerous line up changes but still never veer far away from what we like or expect. I think it helps when you’re in a band with the same members like the other 2 great bands I mentioned. Parkway Drive I believe have had a pretty consistent same lineup but still have managed to do a complete 180 at times. I thought Reverence was overall a kickass album and I know some did not like it. I’m not a fan of every track like the pirate sounding metal stuff but everything else was rad. This recent album though, yea not cuttn it for me. Still some good riffage in songs but the whole choir chant style vocals I can’t stand when bands do that, unless it’s done right. Hatebreed pulls that off whenever they have incorporated that because it’s at like a lower register with vocal chants or whatever. Yea maybe I outta give the recent Parkway Drive album a few more full play throughs to see if anything has changed with my opinion, but just not feeling the whole Five Finger Death Punch butt rock approach. Again nothing against change and progression but almost comes across as like a sell out kind of look. I hate to say that because I am not accusing the band of that, but just using examples I guess you could say. Just my opinions is all. Good interview 🤘🎸🤘

[@Shad0wPh0enixXx]

I've never seen the person behind the voice until now, and this man reminds me so much of myself 🤣🤣

[@MrShadez810]

Horizons is still a complete 10/10 masterpiece for me and I always loved how humble and down to earth these guys are. Always having fun and always doing their best to deliver the best entertainment for the fans. Mad love and respect and I’m glad they took the time to get back to a better mental space. ❤️

[@charliechristian1097]

Yeah bro horizons was unreal. Still is unreal. Best metalwork album of all time. Production, songwriting, everything about it is perfect.

[@_TG]

100% agree.

[@dragon13304]

Growing up in Australia in the mid 00s, Parkway were massive massive in the underground metal scene, all of the metal kids would talk about how great they were in school. Good times!

[@probablecosby]

Brother, I’m from the US and parkway drive is big here too, their probably my favorite band to be honest, all my buddies and I would listen to horizon and we shit our pants when deep blue came out

[@gourangasound5519]

@@probablecosby Same in the UK bro. Anyone between 25-35 who was into metal when they we're younger PWD were their favourite

[@rrandall01825]

Same here in Canada!

[@quantumxfluxmd6821]

Parkway Drive was just as popular here in U.S then too. And they're even more popular amongst the "metal scene " now. Even tho I prefer their old sound, I love all their music

[@StueyDoo]

Take a shot every time Winston says "100%" I say that with total love

[@tangentyak3323]

Haha! That’s every Australian male aged 30-40 at the moment

[@Turbo_Toad]

The song horizons. From start to finish it's a lyrical masterpiece. The concept of each tempo change in the song is someone going through a different stage of life and seeing things differently and the composition of each transition into each other. That to me was their magnum opus. That album, let alone most of their stuff is amazing, but that song has connected with me on such a spiritual and DNA level. The part where he talks about the integrity and doing it because he saw other people doing it. That's what I see in those lyrics and concepts from their earlier albums, like on horizons. Hell, one of the first things I learned on guitar back in 2007 was the rhythms to horizons, dead man's chest, smoke em if you got em. They are just classic fun melodic and heavy songs. Seeing them write this heavy crushing metalcore made me want to pick up a guitar and do it myself. Will always love Parkway Drive.

[@hoovy1163]

HORIZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONS

[@Turbo_Toad]

@@hoovy1163 exactly dude

[@ratstans3579]

I got to meet Winston a few nights ago on Ship-Rocked and he is genuinely the sweetest person I think I've ever met. Just so chill but happy at the same time and seemed to genuinely enjoy talking to everyone who came up to him. I'm not even a huge metal fan (ended up being dragged onto the ship after a family member passing) and I won't lie Parkway had me headbanging. Overall just a great guy and would love to meet him again

[@Sabin41]

Australian fan here, been listening to Parkway since Horizons and been to a lot of their gigs. It's crazy seeing how the same guys you saw in tiny little dive bars that don't even exist anymore in Melbourne are now headlining festivals. It's also crazy how fifteen years later, there hasn't been this big diva transformation from who they were to these arrogant drugged up rockstars. Parkway are real ones.

[@McYates24]

Winston is the best. Sucks that i don't like any of their new tunes but i'm glad they're just staying true to themselves. Horizons will likely be my favorite metalcore album of all time 🙏

[@Vinsanity09]

I wish I liked their new stuff. They were one of my favorite bands for so long and now, just fell off

[@McYates24]

@@Vinsanity09 I feel that 100%, were once a top 5 fav band of mine through Atlas 🥲

[@abhaykumarsingh7081]

Winston is such a humble guy man! Love to see it

[@annac33]

Winston is on my top 5 favorite humans list. I'm so stoked they opened the dialog for mental health, but more importantly, it's so cool to see that they drop everything real-time. I'm glad that they didn't wait 10 years from now to talk about it.

[@owl23452]

All of them let Jia slave away for years as an employee while they were making bank, any of them could have put their foot down at any point to make him join when he should have. Not sure Winston or the others are that praiseworthy as people based on that alone.

[@TheDrogich]

@@owl23452 making bank??? You really think any another metal band aside Metallica are rich and just packed with money?

[@yellowdog2181]

I only recently found Parkway and others like Trivium and In Flames. At the ripe old age of 46 , now 49 it’s quite interesting to digest all the material at once. Especially these three bands people seem to like the earlier stuff , I love it all

[@PrimalPetersen]

Winston’s the best because he basically give ls his interviewers the whole day if they take it. I reckon you could get him to chat until bed time. 🤙

[@GarrettsGear]

Those boys are completely deserving of all the success they have had, i'm really glad they are getting through their tough time!

[@Jjcoolbreeze]

As a Syracuse native, hearing this man shouting out Earth Crisis, despite their huge impact on the scene, sent chills down my spine. Viva the under dogs!

[@lauraemslander4311]

he seems like a great dude. love his stage presence, can’t wait to see them live again! great interview, finn :)

[@FinnMckentyPRMBA]

Thank you!

[@battmarn]

The guys are one of the best live bands going, I see them every time they tour

[@foxclover6]

Been listening for 12 years now, still can't get through an album without crying, and getting extremely inspired.

[@theartofheavymetal]

I think their approach to working out their issues via therapy and being vulnerable with each other is particularly important coming from such a macho culture in Australia... huge tip of the cap boys, and great interview Finn 🤘

[@TheDrogich]

This band is just something else. The fact that just couple of surf kids touring their asses off in a van, playing wherever they could all over the world came to be one of the headliners on metal festivals. I remember when they had their first show in my country there were like 50 people at the show, and then some year and a half they came back and that same venue was packed that you couldn't even fit a needle inside.

[@tommy-qy9lp]

i was at cardiff in october and i have loved you guys since 2005 when carrion played i was the dude on the balcony the only one who stood up with hands in the air front center of stage nearly crying cause i said to my partner next to me hearing that one song live would mean the world to me. what im trying to say is i love everything that you have put out and i love that you guys are getting on better. but your music is a staple in my life and i just hope you keep makeing moor thankyou for the cardif show and thankyou for saveing my life.

[@elliottblakemore7476]

I was just left of the walkway and the energy through Carrion was hard bro. Best gig I've ever seen and it wasn't even a show I chose to go to I bought my other half tickets and she said she was taking me. I had 6 months to get into parkway and Carrion was the song I needed live to sell them and I bought in.

[@starshot6785]

Winston's ability to elaborate on how his music relates to his fans, and why it relates to them in that way, is unparalleled. I haven't heard anyone explain their music in this way. Great dude.

[@jirierben680]

This podcast has so sweet and humble vibe, great work Finn

[@SubtleBreakdown]

Oh shit, saw Winston interview, stopped what I was doing...can't wait to see these dudes at Heart Support Fest

[@alexsutton7403]

It sucks to love these guys as people and love their first several records but just not connect at all to their newer efforts. Like it’s not as bad as everyone makes it out to be, but it’s also radically different. I *want* to like it, always give the new records a try, but I just seriously can’t get into it. I don’t want a nostalgia act, just to hear that old band do something that at least resembles itself…Wish them well though.

[@enriquepastor3626]

Same here. Ask me about parkway 6 or 7 years ago and I'd have said they're the best, unbeatable. But as time goes, they changed, and me too. Do not listen to metal that much anymore and don't wear only black bands t shirts anymore. But I'll always cherish my time and how this band made me feel. Always happy for these guys success

[@90s267]

Absolutely

[@jebbyy32]

This is the best way I've seen this feeling described in a very long time. ❤️

[@Namelessforever_]

Man, I just got into parkway and it’s the last 3 records that do it for me! Going back through the old stuff now too and it’s great too.

[@mircomallek5060]

Thanks for bringing him on the show. ❤

[@devilman444a]

I was never a fan of Parkway drive but seeing how genuine and kind soul he seems to be makes me wanna listen to their music.

[@enriquepastor3626]

He's one of those few people in the world that no one can hate

[@codymac4958]

Tryna boost these interviews into the algorithm. Always a lot of good stuff regarding mental health in these. And interesting people. Love it! Can't wait for the Ronnie radke episode, hint hint 🥱😏

[@KevinSebastian-uc8bl]

Parkway was the soundtrack to my high school years more than a decade ago, remember driving around pissed off at everything listening to Killing With a Smile, Amazing Band and i support them with whatever decision they make. I've gone on to recommend them to people much younger than me who are into metal and have yet to meet someone to come back to me that hasnt said, " I Love Parkway Drive"

[@foxclover6]

I'm so nervous to meet them, ahhhhhh.

[@jamienazario140]

This interview is so badass! I had tickets to see them earlier in the year. Unfortunately they canceled the tour and it didn’t happen. I was super bummed but I’m so glad they took the time to figure out their shit! Winston is such a genuine dude and I love his breakdown of the music industry. The new music is not my favorite but I’ll support these guys no matter what! Can’t wait to attend a Parkway Drive concert in the future.

[@NJP7295]

Traveling 6 hours in two weeks to see them for the first time in New York!

[@deanboman]

Oh I've been waiting for a podcast with Winston McCall since ever, finally!!!!

[@xXDUHKOTAXx]

Immediately clicked when I saw Winston 🤘🏻 great interview Finn

[@silvaright]

Same here man, it was really nice having Parkway Drive play here in Colombia at least once, super humble guys, Cheers!

[@quantumxfluxmd6821]

Ill just come out and say it but im a literal fangirl (im a 27 yr old man) for Parkway Drive. Since i was a kid and getting into the "Metal/ hardocore" scene in the mid 2000's , they always stuck out and reasonated with me heavily. Then after watching the documentaries on youtube year after year i somehow LOVED them even more somehow. Basically pardon my life story , im a huge fan and they are so well deserving of their spotlight. My key takeway is Winston's outright acknowledgement of the seperation betweent their different phases of music. He understands why certain fans love the old music vs the new music.

[@StijnBuyze-zg9rw]

Winston is such a powerhouse and a beast on stage, he's a band of his own. He could easily get even a non-metalcrowd along with only his voice and stagepresence. When not on stage he seems like a very nice and interesting person, extremely down to earth. You can talk and have fun for hours with him. Hope to see PW next year again at Graspop. Greetz

[@microchrist6122]

Had no idea how good these interviews were until I watched the Shifty one of all things 😂

[@oops6876]

Saame lol

[@Scoobadoob]

Great interview. McCall talking about Byron Bay at the end sounds exactly like what happened to various towns and small cities here in British Columbia, Canada. Nice places to live, just chill, no crowds to city people selling their high priced homes, gentrifying the small towns, and crowding them up. And Covid really accelerated the process.

[@ZarathosDaimaoh]

I'm "lucky" i guess , i'm one of those that discovered and loved Parkway Drive with the so called "not classic or old school" albums Ire and Reverence (if i believe the consensus from older fans) . So while i get it somehow , i was not affected by the seemingly seismic shift in their sound . I don't care what anyone says but Chronos , Prey , The Void , Wishing Wells , Vice Grip are still often in my playlists . Especially Chronos

[@RiggedandReady]

Yeah. I just really fell out of love with the band after deep blue. Glad they're still doing it, though! Always seemed like good guys.

[@stevenrook1477]

I suffer from for mental health I'm glad you brought up the subject I think it has a place in hardcore as well as other scenes around hardcore metal Health is it a serious subject it put me out of work, i stop playing music because of my panic attacks, depression bipolar and agoraphobia. It's which is weird because I've always been a frontman and like overnight i was different and I couldn't go anywhere or talk to people without completely shutting down and wanting to hide I turned to drugs I lost my fiance and Friends the only good thing about it is I took the time to look at myself all and my fault I really wish my friends were there for me stand by my side realizing that I was sick and not just a dope fiend (I've been clean for 10 years now). It's funny because suffering is as a artist it's been helpful but as a person it's been horrible. I hope to play music again soon as I truly love hardcore...SFxHC great interview really respect both you guys

[@adamwilson5780]

Probably one of your best interviews Finn. Top notch 👍

[@nathanglennie]

Growing up in Australia listening to those early Parkway records was a religious experience

[@Richcig]

We Fucking love Winston! Great interview! ❤

[@jevinday]

Thanks for posting this Finn! Heard of Parkway Drive for years but never listened to them. Tame Impala is one of my favorite artists of all time, Australia has some of my favorite music so I'm glad to hear about them! You rock man.

[@Matt_Nor]

Parkway Drive as a whole is such an humble group of guys. Given their achievement and status they still were "just that band" back in the day. Gotta luv this humans.

[@louisandrews7231]

I was at the front row of the most recent tour in the uk every time I waved at him he winked and waved back I felt like such a little child I loved it, I loved the band always they all have such a nice demeanour seen them about 5/6 times and they just get better

[@justinlonghofer]

Carrion got me into them. Hate to say it but PW was the first band that got me into heavy vocals. Lyric videos made me appreciate them much more as well as their cohesive band mentality in their beginning days. The fact that they didn’t drink or do drugs and we’re all basically surfers from a small Australian town. Dead Mans Chest was my first favorite song by then and still us. Simple and ungodly heavy. Jeff and I are the same age and cut from the same cloth. I’ve written a lot of music and have always liked them

[@allosanthrwpos542]

Such a good interview! Winston is such a nice respectful and humble person , well done Finn 🤘❤️

[@xsantijx]

Man... what an interview! kudos to both you are killing it too Finn!!!

[@Roverbruh]

Winston is one of the best frontman in the genre, an awesome human being, and Parkway remains as one of my all time favorites. IRE and Reverence were pretty cool but this last album was awful, what a shame!

[@RobertMullineux]

Fantastic interview!

[@MeetMrMayhem88]

I just got tickets yesterday to go see Parkway and Memphis May Fire for the 2nd time in Nashville on February 14th 🤘🤘🤘 Real damn hyped for it!

[@HI-pi1er]

Amazing band . Amazing humans

[@Extreme-Music-Escape]

Pheww, I took this out of content at first Finn lol. Watched the abc interview on Australian story previously, and once I started watching I got. Great interview

[@ryandrury5075]

Winston seems like just the coolest lad

[@ghost_to_a_ghost]

This is awesome! Great questions and great interview with a great dude from a great band. great great GREAT!

[@GabiBrooks]

What a treat!

[@lewisb85]

I was at that Bristol show, the academy is an awesome venue. Also singing the guitar part is a very indie thing to do, just watch the arctic monkeys crowd at glastonbury for instance, so it shows there are different crowd to at your show as opposed to when they played tjs down the road in Newport south wales a few years before.

[@lout9231]

that bit about the intial emotional impact was a super interesting take

[@JAMES-dv5ns]

These guys played before Motionless in White last night.. and I was very very perplexed

[@bestialinvasion667]

Love this episode on parkway drive

[@Gruso57]

I haven't been into these guys since Atlas since they changed their sound so much. KWAS, Horizons, and Deep Blue are still some of my favorite albums ever. I wish they kept the same intensity but thats just me. I am not into the rammstein style they have taken.

[@noahcolegio7124]

As a teen my tow 5 bands were #1 PARKWAY DRIVE #2 The Bunny The Bear #3 Emmure #4 Circa Survive #5 Attack Attack

[@stevenrook1477]

When I first heard Parkway Drive they really got my attention these Australian guys rip. It was different, It was hardcore but then it was kind of Pantera ish but then I heard the passion and emotion they have, great metalcore band good match for my favorite music in one band I think the shark attack t-shirt is one of my all-time favorite shrits so many bands try to copy it....SFxHC

[@adamhasson8927]

27:30, a great example is the band "evanescence", they made the album "Fallen" which was A Diamond and then everything else is not on the samee level and i think it is because the whole original line up who got them there, they left...

[@I.AM.TREBOR]

It still hurts, I miss PWD

[@RCmetal11]

went from one of the greatest metalcore bands, to stadium rock ala Asking Alexandria. Such a shame.

[@I.AM.TREBOR]

@@RCmetal11 Yup, but I must still respect the dudes. It's a good thing I cant get tired of their first 5 albums (within reason)

[@lout9231]

gotta say for someone with no higher education or extensive professional experience Winston comes across as someone who wouldn't struggle to switch on to something else and pick it up fast. Definitely has a good head on his shoulders

[@FinnMckentyPRMBA]

Natural leader who could do well anywhere

[@skizzot91r]

Would love to see a collab with you and Nik Nocturnal sometime

[@jogon9649]

Should've asked him what his favourite song is, what's one you don't like etc

[@leigh639]

On something extremely trivial….Going to push back on the last part about Byron, this has been a place for the wealthy for a long time. This didn’t happen just before Covid, so I’m not sure why he said that. Also, I work at one of the dive shops he is talking about 😂

[@foxclover6]

I disagree, that's not why people support them, its not because of likability..... maybe for some. You haven't really listened if that was your take away. The lyrics, technicality, the nature of their music, is very special and unique. Its soul filled, it's not really wordable. Sit quietly and listen to horizons, every album that came out was heightened in some kind of conciousness, when it got to deep blue, you could just Bury me there.... They are the best, them being friendly isn't the reason.

[@foxclover6]

Deep blue is my heart.

[@OffKeezay]

Great podcast Finn!

[@petrinafilip96]

Holy fuck. The man, the myth, the legend.

[@nino87474]

WINSTON CHURCHILL FROM DOWN UNDER

[@marshthedarsh206]

Such a great interview #TeamAbilities

[@wttruax5816]

noticed the tall neck from Horizon on Winston's shelf. Gamer confirmed

[@b-radlovesamerica4859]

Darker Still is a fucking masterpiece, that is all.

[@mastamcpoop]

It's interesting to see how many comments I see of 'diehard' fans pooping on their new stuff, saying Darker Still is crap. Yet the album basically has critical acclaim. This is coming from someone who isn't a Parkway fan (my favorite song is Vice Grip, so I'm just a poser anyway). The disconnect is wild.

[@scottieskatan4219]

On yah Winston keep the shit rockin cobba... ....

[@Extreme-Music-Escape]

Not impossible, you did it.

[@Goldenmask8]

I thought it was bear Grylls for a minute!!! That pic!!

[@bostons_departed3631]

At 10 seconds Finn looks like the older smaller brother about to watch his big little brother get whooped.😂🎉

[@enriquepastor3626]

I fell in love with you when I saw you in my shitty little town here in Spain in 2012 and I will always love you Buzzlight Year

[@kega090]

Im sorry, I really am, and as i write this comment in an old PWD shirt, i have to disagree with Winston here. Im so happy the band fixed internal issues and continues to love one another, im so happy for their success in life, and im happy theyre still a thingand doing things THEY like to do. However, im entitled as a former fan to feel sad when the essence of what got me to listen to them sonically is now gone. If Winston's position that theyve moved sounds and sorry but go listen to someone else, thats why i came to them in the first place. Everyone else was buttrock and generic. PWD did it the loudest, the hardest and the best in the MC genre. Im allowed to feel disappointed when my idols turned their back on what made them great and in my own opinion (cuz those count for so much, i know) turned their backs on us in exchange for further success. Ill always remember 2013 in Springfield, Virginia at Empire, when i surfed onto the stage and shook Winston's hand, ill always have fond memories of them, but I cannot support this new sound. Sorry for the negativity.

[@basicoptimalmouse]

The issue with Parkway is their extreme DIY attitude. You can't have a bandmate who's also the manager or producer. You need that outside third person perspective to mediate drama without bias.

[@Bloodtypewhiskey]

Parkway hit me like freight train in 06'

[@lorenzomeli6583]

he's literally Buzz Lightyear

[@noobsaibot2255]

Used to be my fav band but I just can't listen to anything they recorded from Ire and on. At least I got to see them live at the prime of their metalcore period.

[@StijnBuyze-zg9rw]

Btw, he apparantly loves my country Belgium. He literally said on Graspop 2023, quote: 'we're on the verge of probably the best show we've ever played in our entire f*ing live' and he used term like: 'this is insane, this is f*ing nuts ludicrous, absolute mayhem, ...' thank you, Winston 🤘😉

[@escherpainting8622]

I've been quite alienated by this idea that society is constantly telling us to "toughen up." Is this really happening? I'm confident that it is in many cultures, perhaps in the East specifically, but is that really the common narrative in the West? I feel like ideas of toxic masculinity, vulnerability, mental health etc. are more talked about than anything contrary. I don't remember the last time I ever heard someone say "toughen up", and I got out of prison last year. Even in there, there didn't seem to be a stigma around things like crying or therapy or mental health struggles. I'm not complaining, I think it's better if anything, but I certainly don't know if that antiquated idea is still perpetuated. Perhaps it's very different in Australia? I can't say.

[@sanpedroez3367]

Winston rips on a bodyboard, real wave rider

[@smelltheglove2038]

Real surfers stand up.

[@olliewhitham6084]

@@smelltheglove2038 hahaa bet u cant swim

[@noahcolegio7124]

Growing up, I was a huge PWD fan, I'll not go on a tangent just really wanted to say... Winston kinda looks like he's Finns dad

[@JoshThomas9]

🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

[@darksynth0]

GUNS FOR A SHOW KNIVES FOR A PRO

[@TheBiglittlebugger]

Parkway drive breakup really bugs me!!!

[@harvesteronenetwork1559]

Doesn't look 40 at all. I'd say 30 at the oldest.

[@nsiev7043]

Winston gets too much shit for a frontman. He’s a human and lukewarm PWD fans treated him like shit for the most recent record.

[@UlasCantepe-bs3hl]

CLICKBAIT TITLE

[@zacharyjones4232]

Sad this band fell off so hard. Went from hardcore/metalcore gods to butt rock arena sell outs. Each album after Atlas just got worse and worse. Soul Bleach literally the only good song on the new album