I'll be honest, before today I had not heard of this band. I let it slip by when I saw the announcement of their tour. But then the fangirling on twitter that followed, from people who's music taste I identify with, well I had to go check out.
And now, for the last hour, instead of reviewing albums, I've just been looping their YouTube playlist.
My goodness. For those people that like that emotional punk/orgcore sound, they'll love this. And I tell you what, I'm an instant convert. I will totally be heading out and checking these shows:
Wednesday 27th June – Youth Activities Centre, Byron Bay AA Thursday 28th June – Snitch, X+Y Bar, Brisbane 18+ Friday 29th June – The Loft, Brisbane AA
As a country, isolation is a great thing, especially when you produce as many kick-ass bands that we do, that also like to tour. A lot. So you should go to these shows with me.
DZ Deathrays
This two piece from Brisbane channel DFA 1979. No doubts about it. Just two guys making some noisy-ass garage rock with excellent hooks that get your toes tapping. I was lucky enough to see them on their first Australian show in over a year at Fucked Up last year. These guys have blown up incredibly in the few years since I first saw them (as the DZ). They're touring for the new album, which you can get with your concert ticket in a cheap package that includes a t-shirt.
Touring with them are another Brisbane garage rock band, but on the other end of the stage-size spectrum. Velociraptor are a 12 piece (on a good day when everyone turns up) garage rock noise juggernaut.
April 12 - Elsewhere, Gold Coast
April 13 - The Zoo
April 14 - Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay
As far as I can tell, all shows are 18+. And loud.
The Go Set
The Go Set are a celtic punk band from down south, who I saw play a punkfest a few years ago. Featuring all of the essentials of the genre: tin whistle, bagpipes, tartan. They also make some very good punk music to go along with it.
April 12 - Surfers Beer Garden, Gold Coast
April 13 - Kings Beach Tavern, Caloundra
April 14 - Prince of Wales Hotel
Given the type of venue, they are probably all 18+.
Jamie Hay/Jen Buxton
Do you like yourpunk to be acoustic with excellent sing alongs you can do with one arm around a friend and one holding your beer in the sky? Then get along to this song. It's so folk-punk acoustic that Frank Turner wrote a song about Jen.
Every few weeks I harp on about this, but goddamn Brisbane has some of the best local music around. So much good stuff is happening lately that I just have to share it with you all.
Snitch
I stole this picture from Jess. Sorry, but it was the only one I could find of the month's poster. I'm normally not a fan of any Destroy All Lines clubs. They have good bands ocassionally, but the crowd of scenesters isn't my favourite at all. They just kind of annoy me. But this month I'm going to have to make an exception with so much good music coming up at Snitch, their Thursday nightclub.
This Thursday, the 3rd of November, old Brisbane punk rockers The Gifthorse will be playing an acoustic set, while two of my favourite (and not to mention great) bands Fires of Waco and Quiet Steps will be playing full sets.
Then come 24th of November, my friend's band Castles Sunk Below the Sea will be playing their post-rock/emo stylings alongside Jud Campbell (former singer of the Disables doing acoustic), Fires of Waco and Perth's hardcore giants Break Even. It is two great Thursday night gigs of great Brisbane bands. Get on it.
Quiet Steps
Speaking of Quiet Steps, they will be playing the last ever show at Sun Distortion Studios. Come New Years Eve, they will be playing a show with Nuclear Summer as well as the awesome Italian screamo band Raein.I may have squee-ed out loud when I heard of this show.
Lofly records
Also on this Thursday night (but at the Zoo) the local record lable Lofly will be putting on a showcase of their local acts. Included on this will be Mr. Maps (who's new music video you can see me in) and Re:Enactment. It's $10 for great indie and post-rock.
I may almost be too late for this, but I got sidetracked with life/work/free tickets to Mono last night. I bang on and on about how good Brisbane bands are, and some of my favourites are playing tonight at Snitch at X and Y. Quiet Steps and Nuclear Summer to be exact. Rad dudes, good music, not too expensive drink prices.
If it's too late notice (and I don't blame you if it is) never fear, you can still catch Quiet Steps playing the afternoon of October 16 in the 4ZZZ car park in Bowen Hills.
As for Nuclear Summer, this may be the last chance you ever get to see them, as one of their members is off overseas. Which sucks, because they are about to release their debut album. So let's hope it's just a temporary thing. Here's a track off it though:
Marathon are one of those local bands that you always see opening for everyone. And when you don't see them playing, you see them at all the shows you go to. And you even share beers with them at Rosies. They've got a new EP out, which is currently sitting in my inbox, waiting for me to listen to. I know, I'm slack, but I've been busy.
To launch the EP they'll be playing an all ages show at Burst City this Friday. This is also the kick off of their Never Safe Tour. They'll be playing with Thick Skin, Vassals, People Rain and Lo!
They've also been added to the Snitch show tomorrow night with I Exist/Extortion/Sex Wizard. Tomorrow will be amazing local hardcore.
I've ordered a new computer! Hopefully I'll have it within in the next week and I can get back to actually updating my blog, but for now, enjoy multiple announcements in one post!
Leatherface
British punk-rockers Leatherface are coming to Australia as part of some sort of show in Melbourne. But we're lucky enough to get them playing a solo gig. They've been a band for 22 years, mixing together gravelly vocals with folk-punk and touches of hardcore.
See them September 11 at Rosies for Thriller (18+)
No one does death metal like the scandinavians. Soilwork hails from Sweden, which might explain their slightly more melodic take on metal. You can catch them at the HiFi on the 21st of October. (18+)
I first heard these guys on Triple J one afternoon and fell in love with them. How often does radio play heavy shit in primetime? The New South Welshmen's thrashier-hardcore earned them a spot on the Boys of Summer tour last year with Every Time I Die. I rocked up too late to see them, but I've heard lots of good things.
July 15 - Snitch (299), 18+ July 16 - The Fort, All ages
Death Before Dishonor
Hardcore from Boston. Lot's of people love these guys and it's easy to see why. I'm only just starting to listen to them, so I can't tell you much.
August 31 - 299, 18+ September 1 - The Fort, All Ages
It's good to see Australian bands do well and tour nationally together. I've seen both of these bands, with both being more heavier alternative rock. But both rock pretty hard. Brisbane locals Numbers Radio especially.
September 24 - Never Land (Gold Coast), 18+ September 25 - X&Y, 18+
This could be one of the loudest, heaviest and best Australian local hardcore tours of the year. Extortion, I Exist and SXWZD (sex wizard) are bashing around the country for a few shows.
Both Extortion and I Exist do fast and heavy grindcore style music. I've had the pleasure of drinking with/seeing I Exist a few times and I've only recently got into Extortion. It's not really everyone's cup of tea, but if you like your really heavy and brutal music, I'd suggest you go to this.
August 19th, at Snitch (Club 299) with Marathon. 18+
August 20th, at Black Box (Sunshine Coast) with Abraxis. All Ages
August 21st, at Shed 5 (Gold Coast) with Ghost Town. All Ages.
Brisbane locals Marathon will support at Snitch. I've seen them with I Exist the last 2 times. Although not as heavy as the other bands, they are still a good local hardcore act.
