Bench Press are one band who certainly don't shy away from a good old fashioned headbang on stage. Their dynamic and electric live performances have solidified their position in Melbourne's rich post-punk/rock scene.

Signed to Poison City Records, who also look after the likes of Horror My Friend and Camp Cope, the Melbourne four-piece are set to release their second full-length album 'Not the Past, Can't be the Future' at the end of June. The band will be taking their new album on tour in Australia and New Zealand over July and August, kicking things off at Transit Bar in Canberra on Thursday 11 July.

We sent the guys some questions before the craziness begins to find out about the album, pre-show rituals and past gig experiences. Read the full interview below.

1. You're just about to release your second full-length album, congrats! Can you give us a rundown on how it all went down?

Yep, our second album 'Not The Past, Can't Be The Future' is out on June 28 via Poison City Records! We recorded the album with Paul Maybury at 'Secret Location Sound Recorders'. We thought we could get the whole album done in two days like we did our first one... However, that was not to be the case and it took a few more sessions to get the damn thing done. We recorded most of the parts live to tape and then added little bits and pieces over the top.

2. What are your production and writing processes like?

We are pretty laid back when it comes to writing songs. Morgan (guitar) and Lewis (bass) live together and often write little riffs and then bring them to prac where they would workshop it with our drummer (Jordan, who recently left the band to move to Canberra) and Jack (singer). At the end of prac we would get a dodgy phone recording of it and each of us would listen to it at home and come back with ideas and changes. Jack adds the lyrics fairly late in the game, he also generally writes all of his lyrics on trams on the way to and from work.

3. Can you explain your don't bore us, get to the chorus philosophy? Was it an integral part of the writing process for the album?

We always try to trim the fat. No one wants to listen to a Bench Press slam through a bloated verse of Jack yelling or listen to us playing a massively extended instrumental break. We just want to keep it as short, sharp and punchy as possible!

4. You've earned a reputation for your dynamic, high energy live shows. Do you have a specific pre-show ritual to help prepare yourselves for your shows?

Nothing in particular really. Morgan and Lewis will do some stretches and do a bit of a warmup. Jack tends to start anxiously pacing about a half hour before we hit the stage while doing his vocal warmups. Generally, we aren't drinkers before a show either - keep it till after!

5. What's the most memorable gig you've played?

Last year we got to play in front of 10,000 people over in France at a festival called Binic Folk and Blues festival. The crowd went completely nuts; people were up in tree's trying to watch us and people were crowd surfing. It was a pretty special experience for the group of us - I don't think we really ever thought we would tour Europe, let alone play in front of that many people. Supporting Idles was pretty special as well, we are all massive fans of theirs!

6. What's your ultimate guilty pleasure track?

That's an easy one! Hot in The City by Billy Idol - it's a banger!

Keen to check out Bench Press? Tickets still remain for their show at Transit Bar in Canberra on Thursday 11 July.