Band Of The Week - Phantoms

Phantoms are a new Sydney hardcore band featuring ex-members of Rex Banner, Jack Napier and Rowan.

They have released a 5 track demo, which you can download here.

The band has recently added Adrian "Riff Machine" Kelly from Rex Banner to the line up so they will only keep getting better (or worse, depends which way you look at it).

They will be recording later in the year for another release.

They have a few show coming up which you should check out.

October 1 - Hot Damn, Sydney (18 )
w/ Hand Of Mercy, xStrength Through Purityx

October 3 - The Sandringham Hotel, Sydney (18 )

w/ The Hollow, Persist, The Rains, Fistmouth

October 30 - Manning Bar, Sydney (AA)
w/ The Amity Affliction, We Are The Ocean, Hopeless, Hand Of Mercy

November 12 - Bald Faced Stag, Sydney (AA)

w/ Gold Kids, Ghost Town, Homewrecker, Fistmouth, Sawn Off

For Fans Of: No Warning, Bitter End, Cruel Hand

http://www.myspace.com/phantomshc

Band Of The Week - I Exist

I Exist are a hardcore band from Canberra featuring current and ex-members of other Canberra bands Slowburn and 4Dead.

The band has just recently released their debut 7" titled "Three Nails And A Book Of Flaws" on new Melbourne based label Midnight Funeral Music. The record is raging and I encourage you to purchase it.

The band has a number of shows coming up that I recommend you to attend, because the band is great live.


October 16 - The Fitz, St. Ives (AA)
w/ Seduction

October 17 - Bar 32, Canberra (18 )
w/ Seduction

October 18 - Huskisson, Secret Location (AA)
w/ Seduction

October 23 - ANU Bar, Canberra (18 )
w/ Spermbirds, Mid Youth Crisis, A.V.O

November 2 - Plastic @ Next, Melbourne (18 )
w/ In Trenches, State East Of London, Lovers Grave


Click here to download the band's demo.

The band also has one of the best shirt designs I have seen in ages which you can purchase here.

http://www.myspace.com/iexistmusic
http://www.myspace.com/midnightfuneralmusic
http://www.capitalcitycartel.bigcartel.com/
http://midnightfuneral.bigcartel.com/

Band Of The Week - The Hollow

The Hollow are a five piece hardcore band from Newcastle. The band has just released their debut self titled EP on Dead Souls Records. They are on tour this month with Homewrecker from Sydney. Make sure you head out to one of the remaining shows if you get the chance.

August 26 - The Arthouse, Melbourne (18+)
w/ Iron Mind, Vultures, Collapsed

August 27 - Bar 32, Canberra (18+)
w/ I Exist, Collapsed, Carcass Brains

August 29 - The Loft, Newcastle (AA)
w/ Worlds Apart, I Exist, The Rains

Click here to download the band's 2008 demo.

For fans of: Integrity, Turmoil & Rise And Fall.

www.myspace.com/thehollownc
www.myspace.com/deadsoulsrecords
www.thehollownc.bigcartel.com
www.deadsouls.bigcartel.com

Another Blog About Soundwave..

So unless you have been living under a rock for the last few days, you would have noticed that the Soundwave Festival has announced their line up for 2010. These are the bands I will be watching.

AFI - Even though Decemberunderground wasn't my favourite album by them, I will still be watching them to hear some of the classics from the back catalogue. Expecting a huge set from them.

Paramore - Paramore are the band everyone listens to but doesn't admit they like them. Band is so catchy, keen to hear some tunes from the new album.

Alexisonfire - For some reason I have never seen this band live. Looks like I will be breaking my AOF virginity at this festival.

Taking Back Sunday - I haven't listened to the new album at all, but I like some of their older material. Will be good to hear it again.

Sunny Day Real Estate - One of the surprise additions on the line up. Looking forward to hearing them belt out a few tunes.

The Get Up Kids - They are a band I thought I'd never see. Something To Write Home About is one of my favourite albums of all time, so I am really excited to see this band play.

All Time Low - They put on a good show in June on the Take Action tour. Will be good to seem them again now the new album is out.

Gallows - I've heard this band is amazing at festivals, so I have high hopes for their set. I hope the singer is angrier than last time he was here.

A Wilhelm Scream - I missed their last tour here due to me being a dickhead, so I will make sure to see them this time around.

Comeback Kid - Wake The Dead, enough said..

Four Year Strong - This band was great live last year, looking forward to seeing them play some 90's hits.

Baroness - I have only started listening to this band recently. I am impressed with what I've heard, I'll make sure I check them out at Soundwave.

Band's I am hoping will get added to the festival:

Brand New
Set Your Goals
Crime In Stereo
Fireworks
Hatebreed
Shai Hulud
Dan Yemin spoken word set
Charm Offensive

Mid Year Report

To coincide with Stu Harvey revealing the Short Fast Loud mid year report tonight I thought I would post my list of the best releases of 2009 so far.

If you haven't heard the band, check them out on myspace and see what you think.

Feel free to post your list or tell me why you think mine sucks.

Alexisonfire - Old Crows/Young Cardinals - Another great release from a great band. Haven't decided whether I rate it more than Crisis yet, but it is still a great album

All Time Low - Nothing Personal - You either love this band or absolutely hate them. I happen to be one of the people that love them. Another album from them that is catchy as swine flu at the moment.

Break Even - The Bright Side - This album is incredible. The album is so passionate and emotional. Plus the artwork is amazing. Definitely check this band out live on the Drunk & Disorderly Tour if you get the chance.

A Death In The Family - Small Town Stories - This album is probably the best Australian punk release of this year (you tell me otherwise). The band has just completed a US tour with The Gaslight Anthem and are set to tour with Samiam here later in the year. From what I have heard the band is great live so go and check them out.

Earth Crisis - To The Death - Vegan mosh metal legends are back. To The Death is a return to form for the band, nothing along the lines of Slither.

Fireworks - All I Have To Offer Is My Own Confusion - Detroit has to be one of the catchiest songs of 2009. If you love bands like New Found Glory and Set Your Goals, this band will be right down your alley.

Hopeless - Dear World - Debut album from Melbourne hardcore band featuring ex members of Bear Trap and Skan from porn. One of the strongest Australian hardcore releases of 2009. Go and see them on the Burning Up Winter tour with Mary Jane Kelly and Dropsaw.

Iron Mind - The Sun Has Set - My favourite Australian hardcore band at the moment. Everything about this EP rules. The riffs are hard, the vocals are great and the EP artwork is really good. I can’t wait to see this band at Hardcore 2009.

A Loss For Words - The Kid's Can't Lose - Another strong pop punk release of 2009. The band has released this album themselves and it rules. Stamp Of Approval is one of my most played tracks this year.

New Found Glory - Not Without A Fight - This album marks a return to form for New Found Glory. Although Coming Home wasn't a bad album, Not Without A Fight brings back the similar sound to the band's classic album Sticks And Stones which is a great thing.

Paint It Black - Amnesia - Dan Yemin rules! Amnesia is the first 7" released of a few to come later in the year. It picks up where New Lexicon left off and it is great. I am looking forward to hearing the next 7".

Purple Mercy - Self Titled - Ex members of Life Long Tragedy decided they wanted to smoke bongs instead of playing hardcore anymore. This album is the result of that.

Reign Supreme - Testing The Limits Of Infinite - I have been waiting for this album to come out since I heard the band's American Violence EP last year. The wait was worth it. This album is fantastic. Look out for an interview with them on here soon.

Shook Ones - The Unquotable A.M.H - Shook Ones have released another album of Lifetime and Kid Dynamite worship. You can't go wrong with that!

Title Fight - The Last Thing You Forget - This is would have to be my favourite release of 2009 so far. The Last Thing You Forget contains four new songs, the band's Kingston 7" and their split with The Erection Kids. I encourage you to download this release, because if you buy it from Run For Cover, you are more than likely to never see it.

Transit - Stay Home - This EP rules, not a bad track on it. For fans of older Crime In Stereo.

Now to some records that are still to be released this year that I am looking forward to hearing. If I have left any out that you are looking forward to, make sure you tell me!

Blkout! - Total Depravity
Dead Swans - Sleepwalkers
Every Time I Die - New Junk Aesthetic
Polar Bear Club - Chasing Hamburg
Rise And Fall - Our Circle Is Vicious
Ruiner - Hell Is Empty
Set Your Goals - This Will Be The Death Of Us
Trapped Under Ice - Secrets Of The World