No Labels, No Limits: MILITARIE GUN'S IAN SHELTON Ahead Of Aussie Tour With TOUCHE AMORE

Interview by Angela Croudace
As Militarie Gun gear up to hit Australian stages alongside Touché
Amoré, frontman Ian Shelton looks forward to everything from unruly
shows to venomous local wildlife. “I guess my bucket list would be
to see one of these disturbing Australian spiders in the flesh,” he
laughs. “I don’t want to be in danger—but I’d like to see
it.”
It won't be Militarie Gun’s first time down under, but their energy
and evolving sound continues to resonate with fans worldwide. Known
for fusing hardcore roots with melodic hooks, the band’s
genre-defying sound has sparked debate. “It’s disingenuous to call
us a hardcore band,” Shelton says. “We came from that world, but we
just want to sound like Militarie Gun.”
Originality is embedded in everything they do—from their cathartic
lyrics to unexpected collaborations like writing a WWE wrestling
intro track. “Post Malone was meant to do it but got too busy. I
woke up to a text and spent two days writing riffs,” he recalls.
Raw emotion drives Shelton’s songwriting, a channel for experiences
he says are too intense for everyday conversation. “The songs are
the only appropriate place to put those feelings,” he shares. “I
never hold anything back.”
That vulnerability connects deeply with fans, who often bring wild
energy to their gigs. “Last time in Sydney, we played Do It Faster
four times. By the end, it was just one guy on stage. The rest of
us had jumped into the crowd,” Shelton laughs. Despite their rising
profile, Ian rejects the idea of “making it.” “It’s not a
career—it’s an artistic pursuit,” he says. “If you ever feel like
you’ve made it, you’re not pushing yourself creatively.”
When asked what he hopes audiences take away, his answer is simple:
“I hope they feel something—even if it’s anger. I don’t want to
make anything people feel indifferent about.” As for advice to new
bands navigating today’s fractured rock scene? “Be
yourself—loudly,” Shelton says. “Turn your quirks up to 10. That’s
what people connect with.”
With that in mind, expect more chaos, catharsis, and no holding
back. The tour kicks off July 10 at the Triffid in Brisbane.


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