Mystery

Australian band MYSTERY are taking the world by storm. Not a bad feat for teenagers from the Western suburbs of Melbourne. At 15 and 16 respectively, the boys have travelled the globe, played to sold-out crowds and just returned from Rocklahoma where they shared the stage with rock icons Guns N' Roses and Steel Panther, just to name a few.

MYSTERY formed in 2010 when four young rockers came together. Band members include: Rocky Ravic (Vocals & Lead Guitar), Kris Iaccino (Guitar & Backing Vocals), Josh Scarpaci (Bass & Backing Vocals) and Tony Mlikota (Drums).

Considering the boys are all still in high school, their achievements to date are impressive. MYSTERY took time out to speak with Music News exclusively about life on the road and what it's like going back to school following an international tour.


MusicNews - What can you tell me about the early days of Mystery? How did the band form?

Tony - Well it was way back in the first week of 2010, Kristian and myself were jamming. I met Rocky at a concert and we connected instantly, he had the look and he was a great guitarist. He came down to jam and that was how the three of us formed Mystery. It was around 5 to 6 months later that I approached Josh at school. I asked him to come down and audition for bass and we were like, 'that's it, we've got the last piece of the puzzle'.

Music News - How did the band get it's name?

Rocky - We had to do our first show and we didn't have a name so we decided to say our name was a “mystery”. Then it just stuck. One of the main reasons we chose to stay with MYSTERY was because it was a song by Dio.

Music News - Which artists have inspired and influenced you?

Rocky - We are inspired by a lot of bands. AC/DC to Skid Row, Iron Maiden to Manowar; the list just goes on and on. I am inspired by Sebastian Bach, Kane Roberts, Alice Cooper, Dee Snider and the legendary Ronnie James Dio just to name a few.

Tony - Iron Maiden, Motley Crue, Guns and Roses, Twisted Sister, ACDC, the late and great Ronnie James Dio. The list goes on. To sum it up were all die hard head bangers.

Kris - Guns N Roses, AC/DC, Dokken, Poison, Van Halen, Iron Maiden, Pantera,Motley Crue, Queen. Too many more to mention.

Josh - A whole range of musicians have been an influence to me, the list could go on forever.


Music News - You boys have come a long way and you're only teens. What do you attribute this to?

Rocky - A lot of hard work. We rehearse four times a week. I work on the band everyday. I quit soccer for the band and I spend everyday networking, playing, composing and writing. It's actually full time.

Tony - Our manager Steve guides us through everything that needs to be done and we do it. We take it very seriously.

Music News - Mystery has shared the stage with iconic bands such as: Motley Crue, Megadeath, Motorhead and W.A.S.P . Can you describe what that feels like?

Rocky - Europe, Nightwish and the list goes on. The feeling is crazy. Sharing the stage with all our heroes was and still is like a dream, but to actually be doing it and get words of wisdom from them is just amazing. It's a dream come true.

Josh - It feels pretty amazing knowing that we're sharing the stage with our idols and people we've always looked up to, its an experience like no other.

Tony - They are bands we listened to as young children, collected their albums, and then actually meeting them in the flesh, was like WOW. This can't be happening.

Kris - Words can not describe the way it feels. It was just a few years ago that I was listening to all these bands and looking up to them as God's, and now getting to play on the same stage as my biggest idols, is amazing!


Music News - What is one unforgettable tour memory?

Rocky - Just one? That's a tough question to answer, every moment was unforgettable. I really do love living on the road and partying from dusk til dawn, but if I had to pick one, I'd pick our sold out show in Tokyo. I love the people, culture, food. Everything about Japan is awesome; can't wait to go back!

Tony - For me personally it was playing in Tokyo at a sold out venue where every single person who came knew every lyric to every one of our songs. When I looked out into the crowed and saw them singing with my own eyes, it was like a school boy dream come true. To have people know your music, was just absolutely amazing.

Music News - Have you had any crazy fan encounters and what can you tell me about that?

Kris - There have been many crazy fan encounters, but all have been overwhelming for me and I am grateful for all of our fans support. But when it comes to crazy encounters ask Tony.

Tony - Yes actually we have, our first day in Japan we were greeted by young girls bearing gifts, they had everything from toys to chocolate to even mini samurai swords. It was insane!

Rocky - We just kept getting gifts everywhere we went in Japan. The people were so special. Also, there was a group of five German fans that call themselves the "Weekend F***ers" who travelled all the way to Romania for our show at OST Fest then back to Germany and drove over five hours from one side of Germany to the other to watch our show there as well. They knew how to party - I can tell you that!

Music News - What is your favorite thing to see in the audience, when you're on stage?

Rocky - I love seeing our fans having a good time! Screaming out and singing our songs, it touches my heart.

Tony - The best thing is when the audience is just loving it and getting into the groove of the song. To see them clap along and scream out 'Hey!' and to see them connect with not just with us but with each other and come together as one. That is the true meaning of brotherhood.

Josh - We love to see people in the audience getting into our music and singing along to our songs.

Kris - My favorite thing to see in the audience at our shows, is just everybody having a good time, and having fun rocking out and raising their fists.

Music News - What's it like going back to school after coming off an international tour?

Kris - I suppose it has its ups and downs. I love touring and traveling the world, playing our music and meeting new people but when we get back to school it's good to see our friends again.

Josh - Its kind of hard to settle back down and get used to it after being on the road for so long, but we do get used to it again.

Tony - hahahaha well it takes a while to adjust from being treated like royalty to turning in exam papers on time, but I guess it's not that bad.

Music News - What hurdles have you had to overcome, to get to where you are today?

Kris - We've had to work hard and practice as much as possible whilst attending school and doing homework, also making time for family. It is tiring but it has paid off and I could not be happier with what I have achieved.

Tony - We've had to sacrifice our time for the band because we rehearse constantly and it takes it's toll on you, but we believe the audience deserve perfection so we aim to deliver it.

Music News - Music and school aside, what do you like doing in your spare time?

Rocky - I love to play soccer. I had quite the junior career and spent five years at the famous "Melbourne Knights". I was the top goal-scorer over the years, not only in my team but in the entire league. I realised who I (really) was when my coach asked If I would cut my hair for the team. It's was then that I knew my true love was for Heavy Metal. I picked up the guitar again when I was 13 and never let it go.

Josh - I like playing soccer, usually when I'm not playing guitar or at school I'm kicking around a soccer ball.

Tony - That's a good question, does listening to metal count? (Absolutely Tony!! - C)

Kris - I love going out with friends and family and meeting new people and I love drawing and playing sports with my mates.


Music News - You're about to leave for the USA, where you will be performing at Rocklahoma, alongside Guns N' Roses, Korn and Alice in Chains. This is very impressive considering your only teenagers. Does it feel surreal to you?

Rocky - We are excited about Guns N' Roses from the bands you mentioned, but we are also really excited about Ratt, Dokken, Steel Panther and Cheap Trick. It feels very surreal! Everyone involved in MYSTERY has worked very hard for this and we are so excited to be part of this line-up.

- It feels very surreal, almost like a dream, as we are the youngest band to ever play Rocklahoma.

Tony - Yes, it's very surreal. Not only are we seeing these bands we love play live all over the world, but we also get to play alongside them.

Music News - What is next for Mystery?

Rocky - We have just finished recording our new album! We will preview one or two of the new songs at some shows on our upcoming tours in the USA and Europe! There is also a documentary being filmed about the band and we have an important meeting in Los Angeles about another big project. We have already been invited back to Japan and we hope to tour the USA and Europe again next year. I'm already composing for our third album.

Tony - The sky is the limit and we're aiming to go beyond the limit.

Music News - Anything you would like to add?

Rocky - Huge thanks for the interview Cate! Was a pleasure! Let me take some time to thank all our awesome fans and everyone involved in making it all happen! We will remember you. We love you all and ROCK ON! \m/

For more information check out MYSTERY's web site below!!

http://www.mysteryrocks.net