Fear have locked in a second Melbourne show for their first-ever Australian tour after selling out the Tote.
The new date lands on 2 July with Handgrenade Hearts supporting, added after the 3 July show at the same venue sold out. That original Tote gig now features Lothario on the bill. Fear’s debut run down under spans five cities across June and July, with local acts confirmed as support for every stop along the way.
Formed in Los Angeles in 1978, Fear are one of hardcore punk’s most notorious outfits and have never previously set foot on Australian soil. The current lineup still features two original members in vocalist Lee Ving and drummer Spit Stix, joined by former AFI and Tiger Army bassist Geoff Kresge and the Henchmen’s Eric Razo on guitar.
Fear Australian tour 2026
- 26 June — Marrickville Bowlo, Sydney, NSW w/ Tee Vee Repairman + BBUD
- 27 June — Thrashville Festival, Hunter Valley, NSW
- 28 June — La La Las, Wollongong, NSW w/ The Owen Guns
- 2 July — The Tote, Melbourne, VIC w/ Handgrenade Hearts (NEW SHOW)
- 3 July — The Tote, Melbourne, VIC w/ Lothario (SOLD OUT)
- 4 July — Vinnies Dive Bar, Gold Coast, QLD w/ The Arturos
- 5 July — The Brightside, Brisbane, QLD w/ Whoroboros
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
The group made history in 1981 when they became the first punk act to perform on national television in North America, landing a slot on Saturday Night Live courtesy of John Belushi. The set descended into chaos, left the studio in shambles and earned Fear a permanent ban from the programme.
Their debut album has shifted more than 500,000 copies since release. The band also feature prominently in Penelope Spheeris’ 1981 documentary the Decline of Western Civilization, which captured the raw and volatile early days of LA’s punk underground.
Away from music, Ving has built an acting career spanning more than 30 film and television credits, with roles in Flashdance, Clue and Streets of Fire among them. He’s also a member of Sound City Players, the musical collective connected to Dave Grohl’s 2013 documentary of the same name.
The band’s 2023 comeback record For Right and Order features a cover of Rose Tattoo’s Nice Boys Don’t Play Rock’n’Roll with Slash and Duff McKagan of Guns N’ Roses appearing as special guests. Remaining tickets for the Australian run are on sale now through Troubadour Presents, though punters eyeing the Sydney show at Marrickville Bowlo are advised to move quickly.
For more information, head here.
