HEART-TO-HEART: Radium Dolls
“I think a great show happens when both the bands and the audience commit to it being a good time. Where everyone can contribute in any way they choose to.”
Storming out of Meanjin/Brisbane, Radium Dolls have carved out their place in Australia’s rock scene with sheer force and swagger. They’re also set to headline Mates On Tap festival in Byron Bay on Saturday 11 July!
Published: 08/07/2026
FHR (Flaming Heart Records): Radium Dolls! You’ve built a reputation as one of Australia’s most exciting live bands. What do you think makes a great rock show and how do you keep audiences coming back for more?
Will (Perkins, vocals): I think it comes down to good songs and a commitment to them and the audience. Everybody’s there for a good time.
Tom (Perkins, guitar): I think a great show happens when both the bands and the audience commit to it being a good time. Where everyone can contribute in any way they choose to.
FHR: You’ve recently taken your music overseas with your first North American run. What has been the biggest surprise about sharing your music with audiences outside of Australia?
Ewan (Day, bass): Probably selling out the show in New York and having lots of people singing the words to the songs and really getting into it.
Bryce (Equinox, drums): I was surprised by how similar it is to Aussie crowds. Sort of felt like shows back home.
FHR: Congratulations on Wound Up debuting at #2 on the ARIA Australian Album Chart. Looking back on the journey from your early Brisbane shows to now, what does that achievement mean to the band?
Will: Not heaps really, it’s really nice that people bought our record though.
Ewan: I don’t think I really think about the ARIA charts a whole lot, but it’s definitely nice to be recognised by the music industry.
FHR: The Australian rock scene is constantly evolving. Are there any newer bands or artists you’ve been particularly excited by lately?
Tom: I don’t know how new is new, but I think Special Features and Media Puzzle are neat.
Bryce: Double Date out of Brisbane are sick! But Tom’s right, Special Features and Media Puzzle rule.
FHR: This July you’ll be headlining Mates On Tap in Byron Bay, a new grassroots music festival celebrating Australian artists. How important are events like this for fostering local music communities and creating opportunities for emerging acts?
Will: They are very important, thanks for putting it on.
Tom: Events like these keep the show running. It gives bands opportunities to play in front of new audiences.
FHR: Brisbane has such a rich history of producing iconic rock acts. How has your hometown and the local music community shaped the identity and sound of Radium Dolls?
Bryce: We’ve received nothing but love in Brissy. The scene’s super tight and not really hung up on genres and bullshit. I think that’s helped us stay fluid with our sound.
Ewan: We were definitely inspired by bands in the Brisbane scene who put on exciting shows, like Boing Boing.
FHR: You have mentioned Peep Tempel, Gang of Four, The Fall and The Ramones as some of your influences. What is it about these artists that resonates with you and how do those influences show up in your sound and songwriting?
Tom: Influences are funny, they can pop up in music writing in any manner of ways. Mostly though, these are just great bands who have a unique sound.
FHR: What’s your funniest or most unbelievable tour story you can tell us?
Bryce: Probably sharing one toilet with 3 cases of terrible food poisoning. We had a decent rotation by the end.
Will: You know that weird unit, the Liver King? He was at one of our shows in SXSW, I reckon that’s pretty funny.
