In an exclusive conversation with MetalgodZradiO, Steve Austin, guitarist and vocalist for the experimental metal band Today Is the Day, opened up about his early inspirations, musical philosophy, and how he's navigating life and creativity during challenging times. Known for pushing the limits of sound and emotion, Steve offers an unfiltered glimpse into a lifetime of uncompromising artistry.
Discovering Metal in Rural Tennessee
Steve’s journey into heavy music began in the most unexpected of places—deep in the countryside of Tennessee. At 13, a neighbor introduced him to AC/DC’s "Back in Black" and played along on guitar. That pivotal moment sparked something life-changing.
“I’d been messing around with acoustic guitar already, but after that, my dad got me an electric—an Electra Les Paul. Then I saw Judas Priest live on their Screaming for Vengeance tour. That show changed my life.”
The raw power of that performance—26 Marshall stacks blasting with no barricade between the band and the crowd—cemented Steve’s calling.
From Vinyl Boxes to Columbia House Scams
Steve’s first record haul came courtesy of the infamous Columbia House mail-order deal—12 albums for a penny. It seemed too good to be true, and of course, it was.
“It was like Christmas when that box showed up. But then a month later, my parents got a bill for $400.”
That shipment brought classic records from Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and Blue Öyster Cult, further deepening his obsession with heavy music.
High School Bands, Metal Misfits, and Finding His Voice
Steve joined his first band at 16 or 17, playing covers of metal staples like "Electric Eye", "Live Wire", and "Rainbow in the Dark." But being into metal in a school dominated by alternative fans wasn’t exactly a popularity booster.
“I was the fat kid who liked Ozzy and Black Sabbath while everyone else listened to R.E.M. and Aztec Camera. So I kind of ended up in the stoner crowd, the weirdos.”
Evolving with the Times (But Never Compromising)
Despite decades in the industry, Steve’s influences have never stopped evolving. From the art-rock philosophy of King Crimson to the surrealism of David Lynch and Stanley Kubrick, he finds inspiration in experimentation and storytelling across mediums.
“Good artists keep learning. Whether it’s from film or punk rock or ambient music—you have to stay open. You don’t stop growing just because you’ve hit a certain age.”
Labels, Independence, and Trusting Instinct
Steve’s career path took him through iconic underground labels like Amphetamine Reptile and Relapse Records, but only on his terms.
“When I first spoke with Tom Hazelmeyer [of AmRep], I told him—if you want us to change, we’re out. Luckily, he said, ‘I don’t care what you do—just do it well.’ That freedom let me make records like Supernova and Willpower exactly how I wanted.”
That same philosophy carried over to his time at Relapse, where he made groundbreaking albums like Temple of the Morning Star and Kiss the Pig
No Good to Anyone – A Dark Chapter, Honestly Told
The band’s 2020 album, "No Good to Anyone," reflects a deeply personal period for Steve—one marked by pain, mortality, and resilience.
“It’s like a reality diary of life during a dark time. But it’s also full of love, melancholy, tenderness. To be honest, it plays like a movie, like a trip.”
Surprisingly, the album made a strong showing on metal radio charts alongside names like Ozzy Osbourne and Ice-T.
“To be up there with artists that have marketing machines behind them—it’s a win for underground metal. It shows people are ready for something that isn’t cookie-cutter or retro.”
Music in the Digital Age: Authenticity Over Algorithms
As streaming continues to redefine the music landscape, Steve sees both opportunity and danger in its convenience.
“You used to wait a week for a record to come in. Now it’s instant. But the downside is there’s so much out there that a lot of it’s just mediocre.”
Still, he believes that connection, not consumption, is the heart of it all.
“What matters isn’t how many streams you get—it’s making something that someone holds onto for life. Something they didn’t even know they needed.”
Living Off the Grid—and Still Writing Songs
When COVID-19 hit, Steve had to cancel his tour with Child Bite and return home. But thanks to his survivalist lifestyle—wood stove, deer meat, and rural seclusion—he was prepared.
“It hit hard financially, but I’ve got a studio here. I’m working on a new Today Is the Day album and an outlaw country record in the style of Hank Sr. or Waylon Jennings.”
His advice to musicians?
“You don’t need a stage right now. Write the most important song of your life. There’s nothing stopping you but you.”
Final Thoughts
From surviving schoolyard rejection to surviving a pandemic, Steve Austin has lived his life with relentless passion and unapologetic integrity. His story is one of perseverance, artistic freedom, and always pushing boundaries—exactly the kind of voice the underground needs now more than ever.
Stay heavy. Support the underground. Long live metal.
Want more? Follow Today Is the Day on their Website, Spotify, Facebook and catch them when they come to your town.
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