I was having a friendly chat with a rather popular international act of whom I am quite fond of mere days ago when suddenly there was a unexpected lull in conversion, so I enquired about the setlist for their headlining set later that evening (what a zinger of a question. Perhaps I should have asked where they got their band name, or what their inspirations were. Fuck). They dutifully informed me that they absolutely would NOT be playing their biggest hit. Their universal chart topper. Their most memorable, most popular, most epic, show stopping song of their career. The frontman insisted that the song had become so overexposed that it felt as though it was no longer theirs.
Instead, they had handed it over to the realm of MC Hammer and My Sharona and bestowed it upon the cringe universe, never to be revelled in again. I enquired what would become of their fans who stood expectantly at front of stage demanding it be played, he replied “they can go home and listen to it on their stereo”.
So who should be getting their way in this scenario? The punters who dish out to see a show sans their favourite song or the band that needs to retain some dignity in their artistry? I can’t help thinking the punter has been slightly short changed here. Especially considering the band created the doosie in the first instance and technically probably had some control in how rampantly it was exploited thereafter. They might’ve also enjoyed the Audi and apartment their overexposure afforded them. Frankly, the only way this scenario could be moderately tolerable is if the band’s set was so glorious and spectacular that fans completely forgot about their omission. Otherwise, dudes need to MAN THE FUCK UP and make with the hits.
After smashing their local support slot on the recent Mad Caddies sideshow at Northcote Social Club, The Bennies have announced a big ol’ tour on the back of their Better Off Dread EP. They’ll kick the launch tour off on Saturday April 20 at the B.East on Lygon St.
First Northlane crept up the ARIA charts when their second album Singularity snatched up number three position on the ARIA charts, NOW Britain’s Bring Me The Horizon have scored their second number one album with the release of Sempiternal. Killswitch Engage also nabbed number six for their new Disarm The Descent album. UP DA PUNX.
..And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead TOUR! YES! These dudes will return to our shores to perform Source Tags & Codes in its entirety. Fear not, they’ll also be playing some highlights of their extensive back catalogue. The Corner Hotel on May 22. Tickets available now.
Jericco are headed out on the road on the back of the Beautiful In Danger tour. They’ll be joined by Sydney’s Dead In A Second. Catch them at the Fitzroy Hotel on May 18 or The Espy on May 25.
Twelve Foot Ninja have launched a big ol’ Pozible campaign to try and raise over $45,000 towards their ambitious new video clip. They’ve recruited members of Periphery to guest star in the video as well. Donate at pozible.com/tfn
La Dispute have gone and added another show at the Corner Hotel to cater for the demand for tickets. They’ll play with Baltimore’s Pianos Become Teeth on Sunday July 14. Tickets are available now. Don’t sleep on it.
Ghost are in a bit of shit after the manufacturer of the deluxe version of their new album refused to print some sacrilege images in the artwork. The pic is said to be of what appears to be “a forest nymph orgy” which features religious iconography. Pretty great PR, no?
Of Mice and Men vocalist Austin Carlile was arrested for ‘felonious assault’ last weekend, following an altercation which left some poor sod unconscious. Carlile has been released on bail.
