Very much enjoyed the Bodyjar album launch at the Corner Hotel last Saturday night. Not just because the Jar smashed it, playing a meaty, balanced collection of bangers from then and now; not just because they are still tight as hell and nail those harmonies every single time (finally a band that doesn’t back out of more complex vocals in a live context); but because the opening acts really held their own, too. And there was a definite sense that Bodyjar had handpicked Tasmania’s Luca Brasi and Melbourne boys The Sinking Teeth to showcase the full breadth of new talent available to a crowd that may have retreated from the local music scene a long time ago. Also ten points to the solo tradesman ( still in work boots) standing next to me (newly purchase Bodyjar jumper on backwards) who fist-pumped with such gay abandon that his Carlton Draught never actually made it to his sunburnt lips. If I were a shitter human I’d have shamelessly whipped out the phone and made you an internet star.
The lineup for Sike Your Mind has been announced! Cue heaps of righteous dickheads arguing about what constitutes ‘hardcore’ music. The event will run over an entire weekend with Footscray’s Reverence featuring Iron Mind, Endless Heights, Relentless, Durvival, In Trenches, Thorns, Deceiver, Apart From This, Mood Swing, Colossus, Imprisoned, Cruel Intentions, Born Free and Tigers on Saturday January 12. A venues has yet to be confirmed for Sunday’s lineup of Endless Heights, Relentless, Warbrain, Survival, Outsiders Code, Postblue, Frozen Over, Higher Power and Upperground. You can get tickets now.
The duo that single-handedly revived the Australian power rock realm this year, Karnivool and Dead Letter Circus, will team up for a massive tour this summer, featuring special guests Sleepmakeswaves. They’re going to pump out two shows at The Palace on Wednesday January 8 and Thursday January 9 for the Polymorphism Tour. Tickets are available now.
Two of the most heavily buzzed locals of the year Gay Paris and King Parrot will join forces for an East Coast run before the end of the year. The mother of all mixed bills will smash out a set at Northcote’s Social Club on Saturday December 14. That band room’s not gonna know what hit it.
Curiously, Hits and Pits continue to announce sideshows to their mammoth minifestival, without the main event having sold-out. If you’re gunning to see Snuff or Off With Their Heads pump out full sets in a tiny venue, then boy, your Christmas has come early. These two will share the stage with Laura Palmer and Up and Atom on Thursday November 21 at The bloody Old Bar. That shit cray! But devastatingly, the gig will clash with the already sold-out sideshow for Boysetsfire at The Reverence. Pick your poison.
I usually refrain from plugging releases of any kind in Core because the sheer volume of music being pumped out is utterly overwhelming and almost impossible to cover in such a small corner of Beat. But I feel like you need to know that A Wilhelm Scream’s new album Partycrasher is mere moments from release and thus streaming on the interwebs now. It will be one of the best albums of the year. Pre-order vinyl from Poison City Records now (limited exclusive colour available).
