Break Even To Support Alexisonfire

It seems that all the good news is coming from Twitter of late – Blink-182 headlining the Big Day Out and now coming straight from the horses mouth Aussie hardcore band Break Even announce they are supporting Alexisonfire during their Australian tour.

Well it’s been announced, we will be supporting Alexisonfire – @aof_official on their upcoming australian tour in October, can’t wait!!!

We contacted the band for a full press release to which they replied “Will be out within the day!”

Alexisonfire will be touring the country this October.

THURSDAY 7 OCTOBER BRISBANE, THE TIVOLI – 18+
http://www.ticketek.com.au 132 849, Rockinghorse and Kill The Music

FRIDAY 8 OCTOBER SYDNEY, UNSW ROUNDHOUSE – Lic A/A
http://www.ticketek.com.au 132 849

SUNDAY 10 OCTOBER MELBOURNE, PALACE THEATRE – 18+
http://www.ticketek.com.au 132 849

MONDAY 11 OCTOBER ADELAIDE, HQ – Lic A/A
http://www.ticketek.com.au 132 849

WEDNESDAY 13 OCTOBER PERTH, METROPOLIS FREMANTLE – 18+
http://www.ticketek.com.au 132 849

Final Soundwave 2011 Additions

Soundwave 2011 was already big, but recent addition of One Day As A Lion has certainly made it even bigger. A new collaboration between Zack de la Rocha (Rage Against The Machine) and Jon Theodore (The Mars Volta) will be heading to Australia for the very first time to dazzle audiences with their amazing live show.

Add this to recent news of Bullet For My Valentine, Bring Me The Horizon, The Murderdolls, Millencolin, Coheed & Cambria and local heroes The Amity Affliction and we have a very solid Soundwave Lineup for 2011.

Who are you excited to see?

Johnny from Children Collide Stops In

Children Collide have released a corker of an album in “Theory of Everything” so naturally we were keen to have a chat about the band, the new album and their adventures on the road. Thankfully lead singer/guitarist Johnny Mackay was happy enough to stop by for a chat.

Theory of everything has been out for a week now, how are you guys feeling about it now the public has been listening?

Well, we’ve been touring it and plenty of people have been singing along, which is nice. They even do the ‘woo’ bits in My Eagle. Unless that’s just voices in my head. I’m not sure.

How long were you in the studio for and how did it compare to recording The Long Now?

Well…I guess it ended up being about 4-5 weeks in 3 different studios. It differed in the fact that we split it between a couple of different countries and that we attempted to make it twice.

Where do you draw inspiration from for your music?

From chewing gum that’s been trodden into the footpath.

When it comes to playing a show how do you get in the zone? Are there any rituals that are performed to psyche yourselves up?

I usually just slap myself in the face a couple of times and eat a lamington.

When you first started the band did you ever envision it becoming as big as you guys have? When did you first sit back and think “holy shit this is happening”?

Still haven’t.

What advice would you offer to young musicians trying to get their music out there?

Make good music. Make sure that is what you enjoy about it. If it’s about money or getting laid you aren’t going to feel very satisfied at the end of the day.

Do you have a favourite Children Collide song?

Yeah, whichever one we’re writing or playing at the time.

You guys have been playing a lot of shows over the past few years with a lot of different artists. Who was the most fun?

I particularly enjoyed playing alongside Tame Impala at the Groovin’ The Moo festivals last year.

What are the last five albums you listened to?

Right now I am listening to a solo album by a guy called Alex Macfarlane from the band Teen Archer who we are currently on tour with. Before that I’ve been listening to M.I.A. – Maya, Kyuss – …and the circus leaves town, a Vangelis record I picked up in L.A. And Tobacco – Fucked Up Friends. We’ve also had the Teen Archer “tour E.P.” on in the car today, but it doesn’t really count as an album as it just has three very rad songs on it

Theory of Everything is out in all good music stores right now, so get on out there and support these guys!

Little Red – Midnight Remember

Little Red seemed to come out of nowhere during the sweltering summer of 2008. Their infectious melodies, classic rock and roll sound and pop filled lyrics seemed to strike a chord with critics and punters alike, clearly cementing them as the hottest thing to come out of Melbourne. It would have been easy enough for Little Red to release a similar record and let the fanfare roll in.

Instead, Little Red’s follow up record “Midnight Remember” has completely changed the dynamic of the band; gone are those 60’s rock influences (for the most part) to be replaced by a modern indie rock sound, full of sparkling guitars, tightly precision drum beats and a more electronic sound. While this is a huge departure from their debut, it still has that Little Red feel to it.

Get a life opens with a swell of floating keyboards, sparkly guitars and vocal harmonies to die for which sets the tone for the rest of the album to come. Soaring arrangements that transcend into something much more than a simple pop song, Midnight Remember is simply an album that creates a huge sound. Whether it’s the disco infused “Forget About Your Man”, the anthemic “Rock It” or the swirling “Slow Motion” Midnight Remember creates a compelling listen.

But then the album takes a turn for the last handful of tracks which creates a stark change in sound, and some of the most exciting tracks on the album. The big band arrangements on “Place Called Love” sound like something you’d find in an underground club during the 50’s, the stark “Follow You There” that builds and swells until it erupts into an overflowing sonic experience and the album closer “Chelsworth”. Even with such a turn in sound it doesn’t feel out of place, rather an organic extension of what the band was trying to achieve.

Such a departure from an established sound can often be a risky venture, but thankfully it has paid off with Little Red. Creating something that is so different from their debut, yet still managing to keep that unique sound Midnight Remember is such a giant leap forward for this relatively new group. Contender for Australian Album of the Year? I would give them my vote.

4.5/5

Bring Me The Horizon Drop New Track

Bring Me The Horizon have dropped another new track on their Myspace, that will feature on their forthcoming album, “There Is A Hell Believe Me I’ve Seen It, There Is A Heaven Lets Keep It A Secret.” Simply titled “Fuck”, it’s the second track the band has released, having given everyone a taste with “It Never Ends” only a few weeks ago.

This time featuring You Me At Six’s vocalist Josh Franceschi, “Fuck” is quite different to what listeners witnessed with “It Never Ends”. The track does have a quicker tempo and feel, more coinciding with what was found on “Suicide Seasons”. Yet beyond the screaming and guitar rifts, a melodic side still shines through. And this is of course where Josh Franceschi comes into the frame providing the clean vocals.

This will probably raise a few more arguments and of course opinions on the band. Purely because of the drastic style change they’ve undergone over the years. For me, I think this is merely a show of maturing artists and a band looking to progress, without being one of those bands who produce the same things over and over again.

“There Is A Hell Believe Me I’ve Seen It, There Is A Heaven Lets Keep It A Secret.” hits selves in Australia on October 8th. So be sure to keep an eye out for one of the most anticipated albums of the year.

Until then, treat yourselves to the two tracks currently out.

It Never Ends – Youtube
Fuck – Youtube

Digitalism Return to Aus

Everyone gets excited when their favourite act comes to Australia; it’s a given. When I read that the German dance-punk duo were coming to our shores, I damn near wet myself. However, as I continued further into the article and only saw Perth dates confirmed, I managed to control my bladder.
Returning to Australia for the signature New Years bash, “Club Paradiso”, the pair of electronic wizards are sure to drop bombs on the unsuspecting Western Australian punters. Are there more dates? Only time will tell. But until then, check out some of my favourite tracks off of 2007’s “Idealism”, and 2008’s “Moshi Moshi EP”. And just because I can, a Daft Punk remix which fucking rules.

Digitalism – Pogo
Digitalism – Idealistic
Digitalism – Echoes
Daft Punk – Technologic (Digitalism Remix)

Grinderman – Grinderman 2 Review

A dark dingy club at three in the morning; the bartender is about to call last drinks and you have your eye on someone who is standing in the corner just as legless as you are. Then all of a sudden a band takes the stage and starts playing filthy rock meets blues riffs, describing the very scene you find yourself in. This is the picture that Grinderman 2 paints when you first put the album onto your playlist.

Nick Cave has become famous the work over for his various projects yet Grinderman offer something a little different than The Bad Seeds or The Birthday Party. The album opens up on the dark bluesy filth that is “Mickey Mouse and the Goodbye Man” and sets the tone for what is going to follow. Filled with messy and rock filled riffs, driving bass lines and dark lyrics the band manage to create an album full of more sex, more drugs, and more rock & roll than a band half their age.

A joy to listen from start to finish with memorable tracks such as Heathen Child, Kitchenette and the driving opener Micky Mouse and The Goodbye Man, Grinderman 2 will leave you feeling dirtier than a one night stand from the dark dingy club on the wrong side of town.

4/5

Tegan and Sara Come Back To Aus

Those two Canadian Indie sensations Tegan and Sara are coming back to Australia this December in support of Jack Johnson‘s tour of Australia and New Zealand. Tickets are available through ticketmaster.com.au and the dates have been listed below.

November 28, 2010 TSB Bowl of Brooklands Taranaki, NZ

Tickets at ticketmaster.co.nz

November 30, 2010 CBS Canterbury Arena Christchurch, NZ
Tickets at ticketek.co.nz

December 02, 2010 Vector Arena Auckland, NZ
Tickets at ticketmaster.co.nz

December 04, 2010 nib Stadium Perth, AUS
Tickets at ticketmaster.com.au

December 06, 2010 Adelaide Entertainment Centre Adelaide, AUS
Tickets at ticketek.com.au

December 08, 2010 Sidney Myer Music Bowl Melbourne, AUS
Tickets at theartscentre.com.au

December 11, 2010 The Domain Sydney, AUS
Tickets at ticketmaster.com.au

December 13, 2010 Riverstage Brisbane, AUS
Tickets at ticketmaster.com.au

Howl- Brothers in Violence EP Review

Howl are a band to keep an eye on. Rising to prominence thanks to winning the Triple J Unearthed High competition in 2009; an initiative to discover Australia’s best High School band the band has matured and released a new EP to the masses. The Ballarat six piece have been working hard since winning the competiiton, and are currently touring the nation supporting Aussie heavyweights Children Collide.

The EP opens up with the frantic “It Was Never Fun” starting with a solitary bass line before exploding with rich guitars, retro keyboards and the strong vocals. Follow that up with “Brothers In Violence” and the dirty distorted bass and desperation in Michael Belsars voice as he climbs to new heights.

“The Only Reason You Came” has a driving bass and drum effect as once again Belsar tries something different, reaching a falsetto range that is pitch perfect for the song. The ending track “Cabin Fever” is the highlight on the EP, bringing with it a banging tune that is keyboard heavy and will be stuck in your head for days.

The EP starts out frantic, ends frantic and never loses pace. Even though all the songs are balls to the wall indie rock, the EP still manages to showcase the diversity in the band; creating a number of different sounds while never truly veering from the intended course. A solid indie rock EP that only confirms that Howl deserve respect.

4/5

We Chat With Grinspoon

Mere hours before they hit the stage of the Traralgon Saloon Bar we talk to Grinspoon; one of Australia’s finest ambassadors when it comes to hard rock.

Grinspoon have been a functioning unit for over a decade now. When you first started did you ever dream you would be in this position so far down the track?

Definitely not we had absolutely no idea what we were getting into when we first started. It’s crazy to think we`re 6 albums down the track. We always had a lot of ambition and a big work ethic but we usually pretty unfocussed- and drunk ha ha…..

Six To Midnight was a return to the darker, grungier side yet still managed to showcase your other sounds. The album has been out for a year now, how do you feel about it?

I had a listen to it for the first time ages the other day and I reckon it stacks up pretty well- there`s a few songs in there that I`d kind of forgotten about which were really cool. Made me think we should be playing a few of the more obscure tracks off the album.

Grinspoon were the winners of the first ever Triple J Unearthed competition. How important was winning that competition to launching your career?

It was super important in giving us a leg up and bringing us some national recognition. The song that won was Sickfest, and it went on to become the most requested song on Triple J for the 12 weeks. Obviously that helped. Even with winning the comp we still had to work our butts off to make the most of it though- at first we thought we`d be instantly huge but it took us ages to get a record deal….

You guys are from a small rural NSW town. Do you find it important to get out and visit the smaller towns rather than just playing the big cities?

We`ll play anywhere, big or small. Being from a regional area we all know how cool it is when bands come into town- often the regional gigs are the best cause everyone is just so pumped to see a touring band. City gigs are cool to but people there get to see bands all the time- plus regional gigs gve us a chance to see heaps of Australia.

Do you have a favourite Grinspoon album?

If I had to say one it would be New Detention, but Six to Midnight is up there as is our debut, Guide to Better Living. iI like the hard fast, raucous stuff. All these albums have songs that are really energetic and great to play live.

What advice would you offer to young musicians trying to get their music out there?

Just write as much original stuff as you can and be prepared to take any gig, anywhere. Work hard and have fun and the returns will come along. Don`t be to big for your boots when you first start, remember everyone starts somewhere. And if your a band stick together through thick and thin- don`t start sacking band memebers over little jealousies and stuff, your band mates are your best asset.

You guys have been playing a lot of shows over the past few years with a lot of different artists. Who was the most fun?

Shihad, Unwritten Law, Anthrax, Suicidal Tendencies, Snowdroppers, the list goes on.

What are the last five albums you listened to?
Eels- Blinking Lights and Other Revelations, Calling all Cars, Them Crooked Vultures, Holly McNarland, The Bronx.

Thanks guys, looking forward to seeing you rock the Saloon Bar stage in Traralgon!

Yeah we will!