THE ACACIA STRAIN RETURN
The Acacia Strain don’t like labels. Who does? Instead, they’re just an all-encompassing ‘heavy’ and heavy has no boundaries. Since forming in Massachusetts in 2001, the band have released six album, two splits, done an awesome cover of Slayer’s Seasons In The Abyss, toured with everyone from Hatebreed to Crowbar to The Casualties (and so many variously styled bands in between), played the Warped Tour and cracked the top 200 with two albums. Simply being ‘heavy’ releases the shackles and truly lets a band do what they want. In 2012 they signed to Rise Records and released their latest and most crushing effort Death Is The Only Mortal. Later that same year they were involved in a rollover accident but it only slowed them down, it did not stop them. Bouncing back mid last year with two new full time members, Devin Shidaker (ex Oceano) and Richard Gomez (ex Molotov Solution), The Acacia Strain are heading back to Australia this autumn to demonstrate their bone crushing rhythms, apocalyptic samples and triple guitar assault that combined, delivers their signature blend of hardcore, death and doom. Joining them on their epic 12 date tour will be Queensland’s Aversions Crown and Wollongong’s Graves. They’ll be at Bang on Saturday April 26 (18+, tickets at the door) and at Arrow On Swanston on Sunday April 27 (all ages, tickets from Oztix).
KILL TV LAUNCH SINGLE
Kill TV are a punk/grunge three-piece from Melbourne who formed in April 2013. The band’s catchy tunes and high energy shows are already making a mark on the local scene – in fact they haven’t even hit double digits with their gig count yet but they’re already in talks with A&R from an Indie record label in Seattle who are interested in signing them. Their debut single Never Gonna Change is an emotionally raw, angst-ridden grunge anthem which is a stand out at live shows. Recorded at Hothouse Audio in October 2013 and produced by Craig Harnath and mastered by Jack the Bear, Kill TV launch the song at Yah Yah’s on Friday February 21 with support from Dear Stalker and Thrasher Jynx and entry is free.
CRIMSONFIRE EP LAUNCH
One of Australia’s finest power metal bands, Crimsonfire are launching their new EP and video at Musicland in Faulkner on Saturday March 15, with British Steel Australia and Kiss The Vyper. Doors open at 8pm, entry is $15.
GET YER BAND ON CHANNEL 31
Pit Lane is looking for original Melbourne bands and musos to appear on its new series starting on Channel 31 in March. They’re looking for quality live performers in a wide range of genres including rock, jazz, blues and world music. In Pit Lane is one of C31’s longest running shows and although mostly a motorsport show they regularly feature live music because well, damn it, they can. If you would like to be considered for a spot send a link to your music or webpage and your contact details to [email protected]
SUICIDEGIRLS BLACKHEART BURLESQUE
SuicideGirls is an online community that celebrates alternative beauty and indie culture from around the world. Since 2001, tens of thousands of models have submitted millions of photos to the website hoping to earn official SuicideGirl status. The community carefully chooses the most unique, beautiful women from those submissions and invites them to join the SuicideGirls sorority of badass bombshells and geek goddesses. The Blackheart Burlesque previously toured North America for five years achieving sold-out headlining shows as well as opening for Guns N’ Roses and Courtney Love, and performing at music festivals across Europe. With stripteases and performances poking fun at Star Wars, Avengers, Game of Thrones, Pulp Fiction and the Rocky Horror Picture Show, choreographer Manwe Sauls-Addison (Madonna, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson) has assembled a troupe of the most talented SuicideGirls dancers to create the ultimate tribute to pop-culture that Burlesque has ever seen. The tour kicks off at Billboard (170 Russell) on Wednesday March 12. Tickets are $59 plus booking fee from metropolis touring.com and the venue, and VIP packages are also available which include meet-and-greet, photo op, poster, VIP laminate, priority entry and queue-free mercy buying.
SuicideGirl Vorpal Suicide photo by Guiseppe Dante Sapienza.
BEGIN THE SOUNDWAVE SIDESHOW ONSLAUGHT
We’re about to enter the Soundwave onslaught, and there are plenty of sidewaves to be sloughed on by prior to Soundwave itself at Flemington Racecourse on Friday February 28, such as:
Eagles Of Death Metal, Rocket From The Crypt, Mutemath – The Hifi, Monday February 24
Jimmy Eat World, Panic! At The Disco, Alkaline Trio – The Forum, Tuesday February 25
Testament, Newsted – The Espy, Tuesday February 25
Mastodon, Baroness, Gojira – The Palace, Tuesday February 25
Volbeat, Filter, Hacktivist – The Espy, Wednesday February 26
Black Vein Brides, Heaven’s Basement – Arrow On Swanston, Wednesday February 26 [All Ages]
HIM, Nostalghia, The Defiled – 170 Russell, Wednesday February 26
Avenged Sevenfold, Five Finger Death Punch, Asking Alexandria – Festival Hall, Wednesday February 26
Alter Bridge, Living Colour – The Forum, Wednesday February 26
Rob Zombie, Korn, Mushroomhead – The Palace, Wednesday February 26 [Sold Out]
Less Than Jake, Bowling For Soup, Zebrahead – The Hifi, Wednesday February 26
AFI, Crosses – Prince of Wales, Wednesday February 26
A Day To Remember, The Ghost Inside and I Killed The Prom Queen – The Forum, Thursday February 27
Gwar, Amon Amarth, Satyricon and The Black Dahlia Murder – 170 Russell, Thursday February 27
Pennywise, Stiff Little Fingers, Trashtalk, Authority Zero – The Corner Hotel, Thursday February 27
Placebo – The Palais, Thursday February 27
Alice In Chains, Down, Walking Papers – The Palace, Thursday February 27
The Dillinger Escape Plan, Glassjaw, Dir En Grey – The Hifi, Thursday February 27
