The Australian pop-metalcore band Melrose Avenue burst onto the scene with their EP Taste, instantly catching the attention of fans and those into melodic yet powerful vibe. The lineup features frontman Vlado Saric, guitarists Mitchell Black and Shawn Mayer – with Mayer also handling supporting vocals – and drummer Jed McIntosh. Their sound blends Saric’s melodic vocals with sudden, visceral screams, driven by punchy, riff-heavy instrumentals with a strong focus on guitar riffs.
After introducing themselves to European audiences last year, the band are set to return in 2026. Alongside their US and Australian touring plans, Melrose Avenue will once again make their way back to Europe, bringing their explosive energy to fans here. We checked in with the band to hear their take on the fast-moving years behind them and how it’s been along the way.
Melrose Avenue
Vlado Saric - vocals
Mitchell Black – guitars
Shawn Mayer – guitars/supporting vocals
Jed McIntosh – drums
Before Melrose Avenue came together, you were all coming from pretty different backgrounds, yet the chemistry between you just clicks. At the same time, it’s clear each of you shines as an individual in the band. What was the thing that brought you all together and made the band happen?
Melrose Avenue: We all simply fit together so well with our personalities and goals in life it felt really natural. We are all fun, outgoing guys, who love to joke around. In terms of our music identities, we love heavy music, and everyone’s individual backgrounds that are all influenced by different genres makes up the sound of Melrose Avenue.
The band started around the second half of the pandemic, a time when people either managed to pick up some momentum online or went through some really deep stuff. At first glance, it might look like you’re in the first group, but anyone who’s followed your work and life knows you’ve had some seriously intense moments too. So, what’s being part of Melrose Avenue meant for you? What has the band brought into your lives?
It’s bought purpose and an outlet for us all to express who we are. Covid was hard on everyone but we had a choice, stay down in the dumps or turn it into something beautiful. Which is something we can all do in hard seasons. Press on and make lemons into lemonade. Doesn’t make it easy but it makes life a lot more purposeful when faced with trials.
You describe your genre as pop-metalcore. These days, fitting neatly into one box feels less important; what really comes through is that whatever you do, you put your soul into it. What emotions or states of mind do you think were especially strong in punk/rock/emo bands 10–15 years ago, and that you’re consciously trying to pass on to your audience today?
We definitely love merging genres together, it’s not planned it’s just how we are evolving as a band finding our sound. The attitude of punk/rock/emo bands in our opinion still stands. Outspoken, raw, honest. That’s who we are and that’s what that genre represents in our opinion.
Your new track, Taste, has clearly hit home with the dark-romance BookTok crowd, but it also feels like there’s a deeper layer; tapping into slightly “forbidden” thoughts that music gives a safe place for. From your perspective, what do you think really connects with your listeners, and what feelings or experiences do you most enjoy bringing out in them?
We love talking about things everyone’s thinking but not saying. As far out of the box of an idea or emotion may feel, we guarantee there’s many more out there thinking/feeling the same thing. So we love being able to put (forbidden) concepts out there and making it feel normal for the listeners.
It’s fair to say Melrose Avenue made a big splash right from the get-go. A lot of people already followed you individually, so moving from that to touring with Ice Nine Kills and then running your own shows across the US and Europe is huge, but somehow it also just feels natural and the right fit. How have you been processing everything, and what helps you stay grounded and connected to the quieter, everyday side of life?
We are so grateful that this band has moved so fast. It’s a testament to our team, the boys, and most of all the listeners. We are just four dudes making music, trying our best and if people like it, which it seems they do (haha) then that’s great.
To stay grounded and keep that quiet time when we come off tour we all have our things, cars, gym, animals, films, anything really!, but at this stage we’re just going as hard as we can, cause we enjoy it 🙂
What does a rehearsal look like when working on new songs? When it comes to creating, what’s everyone’s “superpower” in the room?
Shawn’s is definitely creating the music, Vlado is writing lyrics, Mitch is very guitar focused, Jed writes the drum parts. Everyone has their lane and sometimes we all have a turn at writing but for the most part, we stick to our parts.
No matter how far you go, what are the things about yourselves you want to hold on to? What do you think is key so that not just the fans, but you yourselves, can genuinely enjoy making music and hitting the road?
We are all passionate about being humble and not letting that childlike excitement leave us. As things are moving fast it’s easy to forget where we came from. So we always like to keep a fresh, curious and humble mind frame.
What’s next for you, and what goals or dreams really fire you up? Is there a particular milestone, or even a childhood dream – whether for each of you individually or the band as a whole – that you’re still hoping to tick off?
We would all love to play arenas one day, the energy of a crowd like that would feel amazing, truly though we just want people to keep enjoying our music and coming to see us play, if it’s 10 people or 10 thousand we’re still always fired up!!
Your songs blend sexuality with depth, and hell with elevation, in a way a lot of people connect with. Has there ever been a show or a specific moment where you thought, “Yeah, this is it, we did it”? An “aha” moment where your music merged with the audience so well that you could fully let go? Do you have a personal favourite to perform live?
It changes every tour/show, sometimes Body Bag goes absolutely off! Or Through Hell is filled with everyone screaming the lyrics, it surprises us every show how loud people sing certain songs!
This summer you’re returning to Austria, this time for the Nova Rock Festival. What have your experiences with European audiences been like so far, and what can you share about your plans for this year? What’s the next thing we can be excited about?
We have loved Europe; the crowds there have been amazing, loud! And passionate, that’s what we like. You should be excited about more shows, a whole lot more songs, bigger production and some unreleased songs played for the first time.
Melrose Avenue
by: Kocsis Viki
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