Kid Dynamite were outstanding and Trail Of Dead, Frank Turner and Strung Out all delivered in spades. The camping situation was a touch post-apocalyptic. The sign outside the campsite read, “-2 degrees Celsius, camp at your own risk”, but in the heat of the partying on the final night I believe said sign was torn in two and some German gentlemen were hitting one another with it before riding it through the campsite like a donkey. Chaos. Sweet, unadulterated chaos.
Two of the most exciting punk rock entities of life are going to team up and release a split 7″ together this winter. Make Do And Mend and The Flatliners will join forces to release new tracks on June 18 via Rise Records.
One of our country’s finer female singers, Newcastle’s Jen Buxton, has released Desperation Demos digitally via her Bandcamp page. Five new tracks are available at your fingertips now.
Andrew Seward has departed Against Me quite unexpectedly. “I’ve left AM!” he wrote. “No drama here. I reached a point where I need to focus on other things. Respect to Laura and James. The last ten years ruled.” Laura Jane Grace commented, “I realise at this point there’s a possibility that it may look pretty ridiculous to carry on playing under the name Against Me! If I didn’t feel like I had something that I really needed to say with the album we’ve been working on for the past year then I’d humbly hang the hat and move on.” Transgender Dysphoria Blues is scheduled for release later this year.
Soundwave have revealed the details of the upcoming Australian Warped Tour. It’s not hitting as many regional centers as we first expected. One Victorian show has been scheduled for Saturday December 7 with venue yet to be disclosed.
Funeral For A Friend have announced supports for their upcoming Aussie shows. Relentless and AmourUS will open for the band when they play the Corner Hotel on Tuesday May 14 (that’s next week ya’ll!).
Poison City Records have announced that our beloved Weekender Festival will return in 2013. This year there are stacks of bands playing at stacks of venues and it’s gonna be stacks of fun. The Smith Street Band will headline proceedings and US bands Joyce Manor and Cheap Girls will come out to join festivities. Blueline Medic, The Nation Blue, Luca Brasi, White Walls, Hoodlum Shouts and The Bennies are amongst the stack of local bands scheduled to play. Get stoked. Tickets are available from this Friday.
Wil Wagner of The Smith Street Band has commenced a month-long residency at Footscray’s Reverence Hotel. His EP Laika has been receiving some very complimentary reviews of late. Suss the gig guide for further details.
