Heavy metal music sometimes has the stigma of being ‘evil’, but Frankenbok guitarist Azza Bok is making moves to change that.
Frankenbok, a heavy metal band in Melton, is hoping to put together a music festival to inspire young people through music.
Bok said his idea for a local music festival came about when he noticed that a lot of people around the area rocking metal band shirts.
“In one little trip for about an hour (in town), I think I saw two Metallica shirts, two Black Sabbath shirts,and some other metal band shirt,” he said.
“I noticed everything from the guy pushing the trolleys, to the mothers and fathers just getting around, there seems to be a lot of support for the heavy style of music.”
Growing up, Bok said he felt like couldn’t get into trouble because he was too busy channelling his time and effort in music.
That’s what he wants to bring to the youth of Melton.
“Back in the earlier days, we used to play for Freeza. A guy walked up to me, he was a big-bearded fella covered in tattoos, and he asked me if I remembered him,” he said.
“I said, ‘not really’, and he said he went and saw my band when he was 13 in the Freeza show … and I was really inspired by you.
“He now has his own band and is touring Europe.
“In this town, you just expose kids to live music, sometimes that’s all it takes to light up that fire in you.”
Bok is working on getting together multiple bands to donate their time to perform.
“We’re behind the scenes doing everything to make it happen,” he said.
“We want to make it as safe and as viable as we can.
“There are already so many bands that are interested, and if we can make this one go well, maybe we can make this a regular thing.”
Faith Macale
