Melbourne hardcore band Outright introduced a pretty excellent concept for their current Dedication tour. In order to celebrate the “music, ideas and DIY community spirit” that the Melbourne scene shares, they’re setting up a Mix Tape Lucky Dip at their merch desk each night. They’re encouraging punters to put together a mixtape, add it to the box, then take another one in return. Said the band on their Facebook page “you might come across your next favourite band, hear something new or different, find an unreleased song or B-side, get a gift to share with a mate or just be stoked to know you are offering all of the above to a stranger in the room just by sharing what you love.” Well ain’t that sweet. This concept – despite requiring dudes to be vaguely organised which can be quite the task – is just one of the ways Melbourne can currently boast one of the best live music scenes in the world.
A Death In The Family’s Jamie Hay has revealed that he’ll release his debut full-length this November. King Of The Sun gets a release via Hobbledehoy on November 2 before Hay hits the road with Lincoln LeFevre, who will be supporting his new one Resonation. Lock in The Rev on Saturday November 10. Pre-orders for both albums are available now.
Speaking of pre-orders, Conation have their new album up for pre-order on their bandcamp page as well. Recorded in August in a pop up studio in the Carlton Trades Hall, they reckon it’s a concept release moving through the inner and outer contexts of Melbourne’s city dwelling homeless. Genome is out mid-October and a national tour with Totally Unicorn follows.
Chuck Ragan has collected a bunch of tales from the road for this new book The Road Most Travelled. It features stories from members of The Gaslight Anthem, Rise Against and At The Drive-In. The book’s available online at Chuck’s website and – just quietly – looks amazing.
Omar Rodriguez-Lopez will return to Australia this summer with his band. They’ll headline Cherry Fest in Melbourne as well as chuck a headlining gig at The Corner on December 2. Tickets are available now.
Cherry Fest have added even more bands to their existing lineup for November 25. Big D and The Kids Table will bring some ska flavor to the event, King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard will bring lo-fi rock, and I Exist will bring the motherfucking riffs! Also added were Gruntbucket, Frankenbok, Dead City Ruins and River Of Snakes.
The Cosmic Psychos have sold out their first gig at The Tote, only to announce a second one on Saturday November 3. Better grab tickets while they’re hot people.
Hawthorne Heights will return to our shores this December (for the first time in almost six years). It’s their first visit since they lost their guitarist who passed away on the band’s tour bus in 2007, and their first since they released Fragile Future and Skeletons. See them with Sydney’s Sienna Skies at Bang on Saturday December 8 or at Frankston’s Pelly Bar on Sunday December 9.
Norma Jean posted via Twitter that they’re firming up tour plans saying “Australia. You can start getting stoked. We’re coming! Info ASAP”.