Ahead of their Aussie co-headline tour this July-August, US post-hardcore favourites Free Throw and Microwave sat down for an exclusive, and classic, band-on-band Q&A.
Dialling in from different corners of the United States, the two bands trade questions on life's big mysteries – like who holds the push-up crown, how to survive a 14-hour flight, their favourite Violent Soho track, and whether anyone's secretly related to The Hardy Boys or Fidel Castro.Equal parts chaotic and weirdly heartfelt, this exchange offers a glimpse into the humour and chemistry behind two of the most beloved names in the alt/ emo scene.
Catch them when they land in Australia later this month.
FREE THROW asks MICROWAVE
If you could only listen to one song for the 14-hour flight what would it be?Tyler Hill (bass): I couldn't listen to any song I was a fan of because I would certainly hate it by the time we landed.
Based solely on strategy, I would pick 'Thick As A Brick' by Jethro Tull. I've never heard the song, but it's 43 minutes long with both parts so I would only have to listen to it roughly 20 times. That's not all that bad. I hope it's a good song.
Who can do the most push-ups in Microwave?
Tito Pittard (drums): It depends on one's discipline throughout the year, but I've done 100 in a day before.
Favourite Violent Soho song?
Tito Pittard: 'Viceroy'. Ed's note: Choon!
If Goofy could be the frontman of any band, what band should he sing in?
Nathan Hardy (vocals): I think he'd do a great job filling Keith Urban's shoes, so he can spend more time with his beautiful wife Nicole Kidman.
Is Nathan related to The Hardy Boys? We are dying to know.
Nathan Hardy: Frank and Joe are both my dads. It's like an ATL Twins situation.
Honestly though, my parents have two of each Hardy Boys mystery books which is a total collection of like 300 books. I read most of them as a child and they sculpted the ways in which I approach the mysteries of our world.
MICROWAVE asks FREE THROW
What's your favourite memory or thing that you witnessed at your old DIY venue Exponent Manor?Larry Warner (guitar): We played with Weatherbox once and their singer was so drunk his band had to carry him to the living room and put his guitar on him. Then he proceeded to play the best set I have ever seen a musician play.
What's one of your favourite memories of the first time y'all went to Australia?
Larry Warner: Getting to hold a koala.
What does each member of Free Throw do to pass the time on a 14-hour flight?
Larry Warner: I try to watch at least one movie and then drug myself for the rest of the flight and drool on the person next to me.
Zach Hall (drums): Watch a good flick and sleep in five-minute increments.
Jake Hughes (guitar): Rewatch the Harry Potter series until we are no longer over open water.
Cory Castro (vocals): Watch 'Interstellar' at least once, occasionally play a video game, and sleep as much as humanly possible.
Justin Castro (bass): The Wade Boggs Beer Challenge while listening to a sports podcast.
What's the chillest you've ever been?
Cory Castro: We're always the chillest, you already know.
This one's for Corey and Justin. Any relation to Fidel Castro?
Cory Castro: Yeah, he's definitely our uncle.
Free Throw & Microwave 2025 Tour Dates
Thu 24 Jul - The Princess Theatre (Brisbane)Fri 25 Jul - Newcastle Hotel (Newcastle)
Sat 26 Jul - Oxford Art Factory (Sydney)
Sun 27 Jul - Tattersalls Hotel (Penrith)
Wed 30 Jul - Altar (Hobart)
Thu 31 Jul - The Corner Hotel (Melbourne)
Fri 1 Aug - Sooki Lounge (Melbourne)
Sat 2 Aug - Lion Arts Factory (Adelaide)
Sun 3 Aug - Lynott's Lounge (Perth)
