Following the release of their debut LP Judgement Day in November 2023, Melbourne/Naarm five-piece The Judges have kept the momentum rolling with their Guns 7”—a two-track release that captures the band’s sharp rock‘n’roll. Gimmie caught up with frontman Sam Hill to talk about skate vids, cooking, the crazy world we live in, and of new music on the horizon.

Who or what made you fall in love with music?

SAM: Skate video soundtracks, I guess. That’s where I first heard The Stooges and Bowie and the Velvets and all that. And then “punk rock” – probably largely because of the fashion and the incredibly naive attitude, which is quite appealing when you’re young. But even before that I would tape songs off the radio and stuff, so I guess there was always music around!

Are you working on new songs or ideas that you’re excited about?

SAM: Yeah! Always working on stuff to some degree. Tinkering. With The Judges, with other groups, solo. The second Judges LP has been recorded for a minute now, we just gotta tweak it and polish it up and everything. 

What’s something you care about deeply that might not necessarily show up in your songs?

SAM: Food. I don’t think any of the songs are about food? I like cooking and you gotta eat. Good meals are important. Especially eating them with friends. Celebrate all occasions. Oh and we gotta save our oceans.

Which song do you like playing live the most and why?

SAM: I like playing them all. They usually all sound great, sometimes they don’t. Sometimes I forget the words and mumble. But it’s not really even about the music. It’s just fun to make noise. It’s a spectacle.

What’s your biggest non-musical obsession right now?

SAM: Aw man, I don’t know. I follow a lot of total psychos on Instagram that are pretty entertaining to keep up with. World War Three is pretty interesting so far. That and the convergence of “artificial intelligence” and religion and all the UFO bullshit. Things are getting weirder every day. Buckle up!

Follow @tha_judges + LISTEN to The Judges.