Matty from Rocketship Rogue chats to Jen about the latest release “THE BEST LAST DAY ON EARTH”.
Rocketsuit Rogue is the new band from RIAA Gold-certified songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist Matty Lewis. Built on loud guitars, soaring hooks, and anthemic choruses, the project blends urgency, melody, and emotion into songs that feel both deeply personal and larger than life. Produced by Cameron Webb, the band’s debut album Hello, Apocalypse! arrives August 21, 2026.
Stream the Single / Pre-Save the Album Here:
Known for his work on stages around the world, Lewis performed more than 900 shows across 26 countries during his time with Zebrahead, building particularly strong audiences throughout Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, and the United States. That global experience helped shape Rocketsuit Rogue into a project designed not only for headphones, but for packed clubs, festival stages, and shared experiences between artist and audience.
While Rocketsuit Rogue represents a new beginning, it also serves as a continuation of the qualities that have always defined Lewis as a songwriter: emotional honesty, memorable melodies, and a belief in the power of music to bring people together. The result is a collection of rocket-powered anthems built for uncertain times.
With Hello, Apocalypse! arriving August 21, Rocketsuit Rogue is poised to make a major impact on the melodic punk landscape with a sound that feels both familiar and entirely new.
ROCKETSUIT ROGUE ONLINE
Website: Instagram: Facebook: BIO
I got the chance to chat with Matty about his new music, I hope you enjoy our conversation below.
Hi Matty, I have met you quite a few times now back in your ZH days. Last time would have been Soundwave back around 2015-ish. Great to be able to interview you. With Zebrahead it was always Dan and Ali. I am a long term fan of ZH.
Yeah, we would switch off doing interviews now and then, and I would do things and then Ali/Dan would do some. But I’m here now and thank you so much for being a fan for so long…
Matty, when I heard that you have departed Zebrahead (Z’d no Zee ha-ha) I had hoped that you would keep making music. I was not so keen on Country Music that you began, so I lost touch with what you were doing but I was delighted to hear about Rocketsuit Rogue.
Did you find being a solo artist with your country music a refreshing change of pace from the frantic pace of touring the world?
Well, first of all, when I left ZH I was mentally empty in the tank and I needed a recharge and reboot. So, I turned to just doing a different genre because as a creative person, I still had that need to write and play music, but I wasn’t ready to write or do any other punk or rock etc. So, in a way it was refreshing but necessary. I was running on empty, mentally.
Looking after yourself mentally is super important and I am glad it is more accepted to discuss it these days instead of just pushing through.
How do you reconcile the legacy of Zebrahead with your new creative direction you are taking now – what do you carry forward and what did you intentionally leave behind?
I think it’s building off that foundation of everything that I’ve learned over my years playing in ZH and all the live show/touring experience I had. I think just having those 900+ shows in almost 30 countries helped shape me, not only in the live sense, but also in my songwriting. I’m not trying to redo the things music-wise I was doing in ZH, but more so, help use that as my foundation to help build. ZH is a great band and will always be a great band. RSR is me doing things 100% me. If that makes sense.
It does. Being true to oneself is certainly one way of the road to happiness.
Rocketsuit Rogue is a great name for a band, who came up with that idea and was there some inspiration behind it?
Thank you! Actually, naming a band today that isn’t already taken or is a business or what have you, is hard! But, I love old movies. Especially old westerns and sci-fi movies from the 1950’s. I was watching an old serial (series) called Commando Cody, and it was a guy in a cool helmet and rocket jet pack, and he was known as the “Sky Marshal of the Universe”. I love comics and decided to put them together. That’s the inspiration! Now, I have a great artist named Artie, at Takeover Studio who does great art and makes my vision come to life.
Now you are back in a band, in choosing them what did you look for —skills, personalities, or shared values—and has that standard changed over time?
I think first and foremost they have to be likable and I’m able to sit in a van or tour bus with them for hours on end. That’s key because essentially, you’re in a ‘relationship’ with them, for however short or long it is. So, if you’re not able to get along with them or if they smell like bologna, then you might wanna rethink! Oh, and they should play their instruments pretty ok-ish!
Great answer! Who wants a smelly terrible musician in your band.
How collaborative is Rocketsuit Rogue’s songwriting? Do you start from lyrics, melody, or a mood, and how do band members shape the final song? Or is a solo writing process?
This album was all my doing. I had the songs ready to go and went into the studio with my friend and producer, Cameron Webb, and busted out 12 songs in about 8 days, which is pretty quick to record all of it.
That is quick! I guess your many years of experience helped that.
The EP is titled Apoplectic — what does that word mean to you in emotional or narrative terms, and why is it the centrepiece for this record?
Actually, it’s a full-length LP entitled, “Hello, Apocalypse!”. For this title, it ties in with the superhero rocketsuit rogue theme, as well as the word apocalypse meaning troubles or problems inside of you. Like, your own struggles with inter-personal things. You’re own apocalypse. And, with “Hello, Apocalypse!”, that’s essentially you taking on those problems head on and in a positive way.
Ah brain fade, I did know it was an LP.
There have been 3 songs released so far, your first, being ‘Our Last Parade’, then ‘Home Sweet Home (Sweet Misery)’ and now ‘The Best Last day on Earth’ which sets the tone for your upcoming LP “Hello, Apocalypse”.
I’d say “Our Last Parade” sets the tone, which is why we put it as our first single. It pretty much sums up the energy and mood of the whole album.
“The Best Last Day on Earth” sounds upbeat, but there’s a darker collapse underneath—what made you present that moment as a celebration, and what do you want listeners to feel when they notice the contrast?”
Good catch. I wanted to express the feeling that if we only had one day left to live, we should probably enjoy it to the fullest, with the people around us, instead of lamenting on the inevitable. Plus, I like positive songs! So, if no one makes it out alive, we might as well throw a party!
Excellent point! I have been sober for 3 years now but if I knew it was the end of the world I would throw that away and drink up!
The intensity suggested by “Hello, Apocalypse!” hints at volatile emotion—how have mental health and self-care informed the writing for this LP?
Oh, that’s what this whole album is about. Which ties into the Rocketsuit Rogue being your own superhero, taking on your inner problems, you may have. All of the songs are personal in a way and some mean more than others. But, this album is essentially me talking through the last 5 years of my life, in songs.
Do you find catharsis in writing the angrier or darker material, or does it demand recovery time afterward?
I did. I would’t call it angrier, but more like ‘energized’ material. I think my time away where I needed to recharge things, did just that. I recharged the batteries and let out all the energy I held. Very cathartic.
Thinking of your current political craziness that we Aussies are shocked at, (although enjoy many comedians’ material), is “Hello, Apocalypse!” primarily a personal statement, a critique of the world or both?
Rocketsuit Rogue (or RSR) will always be about escaping your problems or any problems the world may have, for a while. I never have used music to tackle any political or social issues, and RSR is no different. I just wanna party! If, the use of ‘the world’ or anything bigger like that, is used in the lyrics of songs, it can easily be interpreted as “your world” or “your inner world”. If that makes sense.
Out of the three songs so far which one means the most to you or you are most proud of and why?
That’s a tough one, because I’m proud of them all! But, I actually think the song “The Best Last Day on Earth” is a good one (in my opinion) because it’s not only talking about the end of the world in a apocalypse with meteors or alien invasion, but it’s also really musical and I love how it turned out.
Personally, I currently like ‘Our Last Parade’ the best as I have a deep connection to the lyrics. Singing it loud helps me deal with the issues in my life. Thanks.
You’re welcome! That’s exactly what it’s there for and I’m so glad to hear you connected with it!! Plus, the chorus is easy to sing along with!
How does that feel that your song has helped me “Same shit, just another day”, is literally my life as a chronically ill person that is mostly housebound. I dream of being able to have a last parade. I know I won’t be the only one!
I’m so sorry to hear that you’re mostly housebound and that it can feel like “same shit, just another day”. I think that we all can relate to having one last parade, because it’s essentially saying that it’s now or never. That could mean a number of things to a number of people, but I know in my own personal case and in writing this song, it meant that if I don’t take action now, I’ll regret it later in life. As they say, nothing changes if nothing changes. So, in your case, perhaps it means that it can help give you the mental strength to keep going, knowing that there IS a last parade or a light at the end of the tunnel.
Thanks I appreciate that. I hope that is helps others like me in the same way. I do like songs that people can listen to and it means something different for each of us.
I have so many more questions, but don’t want to take up too much of your time. So one more.
Ask away!
Maybe after the album comes out we can chat again. Looking forward to it!
Where do you hope Rocketsuit Rogue takes you in five years artistically, and what risks are you still eager to take?
I think, in 5 years, I hope to have 3-4 more albums out and touring the world again spreading RSR music wherever will have us. Artistically speaking, I want to take all the risks in writing and recording. For one reason or another, the phrase “it’s only rock and roll” lost its meaning. I want to bring it back. Nothing robotic or fake. Nothing too polished, just rock and roll.
Totally agree, if you looked through Music Injection, we don’t promote anything but good rock and roll and songs full of meaning.
It is great to hear you play your guitar again, and even to see your cool guitar again. I adore how you play it, driving the new songs in a fast-paced way that wants me to keep listening and singing along.
Wishing you all the best for the release of the LP. Thanks for your time Matty.
Thank you so much, Jen! I’ve definitely missed these guitars, and it feels like home again. Now, I can’t wait to invite everyone over!
– Matty
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