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THE
LOVED ONES
Are : Dave Hause
(vocals/guitar), Mike Sneeringer (drums), Chris Gonzalez
(bass), David Walsh (guitar)
Come From : Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, USA
Signed To : Fat
Wreck Chords
About :
The Loved Ones began in late 2003 with Dave
Hause (Paint It Black) on vocals and guitar,
Michael Cotterman (Kid Dynamite) on bass
and Mike Sneeringer (Trial by Fire) on
drums. The band's first release was a self-released four-song demo
in 2004. The following year, they released an EP, The Loved
Ones, on Jade Tree Records. Their debut album,
'Keep Your Heart', was then released a year later on Fat
Wreck Chords After leaving Paint It Black,
singer Dave Hause worked hard as a roadie for New Jersey's
The Bouncing Souls, which got The Loved
Ones' foot in the door. They eventually toured with The
Bouncing Souls and many other bands, including The
Explosion, Against Me!, Rise Against,
Bad Religion, NOFX, and Less
Than Jake. In December 2006, Michael Cotterman
left the band. He was replaced by Chris Gonzalez and they
also added second guitarist David Walsh. They were both
formerly members of The Explosion, who had announced
their split up near the time Cotterman left.
What to look out for
:
In early February The Loved Ones will release a
new album titled 'Build & Burn' on Fat Wreck
Chords / Shock Australia. The album was
produced by Pete Steinkopf and Bryan Kienlen of
The Bouncing Souls as well as Bob Strakele
who also acted as engineer and mixer. Members of The Hold
Steady also provided some guest performances.
Website - www.thelovedonesband.com
Myspace - www.myspace.com/thelovedones
You Should Listen To
- 'Pretty Good Year' & '100K' [Here] |
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THE
GASLIGHT ANTHEM
Are : Brian Fallon
(Vocals & Guitar), Alex Levine (Bass), Benny Horowitz
(Drums), Alex Rosamilia (Guitar)
Come From : New Brunswick,
New Jersey, USA
Signed To : XOXO
Records, Sabot Productions, Resist
Records
About :
The
Gaslight Anthem began as a band named "This
Charming Man" in 2004. In 2005, the group released
an EP recording titled "Every Little Secret"
on New Jersey-based XOXO Records and later toured
the eastern United States to support the release. The group changed
its name to "The Gaslight Anthem" in
2007 and released their first album under that name, Sink
or Swim, on XOXO Records. The band currently
plans to release a follow-up EP titled Señor and the
Queen via Florida's Sabot Productions in
early 2008. Local label Resist Records have signed
the band to release Sink Or Swim here in Australia.
What to look out for
:
On January 19th, 2008, Resist Records will release
'Sink Or Swim' here in Australia. Punkbands.com
said this about the album "Every once in a while an album
comes along that just knocks you sideways in its unbridled greatness.
The Gaslight Anthem’s Sink Or Swim is one of those records.
Highlights are hard to pin point to be honest because there isn’t
a single moment throughout Sink or Swim that isn’t close
to being flawless."
Website - www.gaslightanthem.com
Myspace - www.myspace.com/thegaslightanthem
You Should Listen To
- 'Boomboxes & Dictionaries' & 'I Coulda
Been A Contender' [Here]
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MEG
AND DIA
Are
: Dia Frampton (Vocals), Meg Frampton (Guitar
& Vocals), Nicholas Price (drums), Carlo Gimenez
(Guitar), Jonathan Snyder (Bass)
Come From : Utah,
USA
Signed To : Doghouse
Records, Warner Bros.
About :
Meg
& Dia is an American Indie Rock band formed in 2004.
It was founded by sisters Meg and Dia Frampton,
and is now a five-piece act with additional members Nicholas
Price, Jonathan Snyder and Carlo Gimenez.
Meg & Dia (also then known as The Meg
& Dia Band) released its first album, Our Home
Is Gone, in 2005. At the time, the band consisted of just the
two Frampton sisters, and the album's tracks were mostly acoustic
songs. Meg played guitar and provided back-up vocals while
Dia sang. A year later, they released their second album,
Something Real, which was their first album released under
Doghouse Records. If you like some catchy pop/rock/indie
tunes delivered with sweet female vocals, then this outfit is for
you
What to look out for
:
In 2008 Meg And Dia will undertake a US tour opening
for Angels And Airwaves before they hit the studio in April or May
to begin recording the tracks they have been writing for the follow
up to the awesome 'Something Real' album. Expect a mid-late
2008 release. Remember the name, for it will be mentioned a lot
in 2008.
Website - www.meganddia.com
Myspace - www.myspace.com/megdia
You Should Listen To
- 'Roses' & 'Monster' [Here]
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PROTEST
THE HERO
Are
: Rody Walker (vocals), Tim Millar (guitar), Luke
Hoskin (guitar), Moe Carlson (drums), Arif Mirabdolbaghi
(bass)
Come From : Ontario,
Canada
Signed To : Vagrant
Records
About :
Protest
the Hero formed in 1999 under the name Happy Go Lucky,
but soon changed their name and their first release as Protest
The Hero became EP A Calculated Use of Sound (2003)
and later released their recent full length Kezia (2005)
on the indie label Underground Operations as Protest
The Hero. On January 23, 2006 the band officially signed with Vagrant
Records for Kezia's United States release. Kezia
was released in the US on April 4, 2006. In 2004 they won the Canadian
Independent Music Award for Favourite Metal Artist/Group,
beating out much more known Alexisonfire.
What to look out for
:
On January 28th, 2008, Protest The Hero
will release a new album titled 'Fortress'. They spent
7 months of the year writing and recording the album which will
go a long way towards slotting the band into one of those 'cannot
define genre' categories, part metal, part punk, part hardcore,
the guys combine a heap of sounds and the results are quite pleasant
on the ears. Just you watch them shoot to fame this year on the
back of this album and their incredible live show.
Website - www.protestthehero.com
Myspace - www.myspace.com/protestthehero
You Should Listen To
- 'Sequoia Throne' & 'Turn Soonest To The Sea'
[Here] |
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AUSTRALIAN BANDS TO WATCH IN 2008 :::::: |
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NEWTONHEATH
Are
: Matthew Christian Ho (Vocals & Guitar), Rachel
Warburton (Bass & Programming), Daniel Gaskin
(Guitar & Vocals), Shaun Reilly (Drums)
Come From : Adelaide,
Australia
Signed To : Independant
Artist
About :
Adelaide's
Newtonheath laid the groundwork well before their
launch upon the live scene in April 2007, members coming from a
bunch of previously prominent Adelaide bands, and a couple of years
spent on the road writing in bedrooms all around the world for Matthew
& Rachel, who then returned to Australia and put the
final touches on Newtonheath. Those touches included
solidifying the lineup and recording their impressive debut album
'Come Together And Unite', which was released independently
in late 2007 and supported by a bunch of launch shows through Adelaide
and Melbourne sharing stages with the likes of Blueline
Medic, Dopamine, Horsell Common,
Liam Finn and more.
What to look out for
:
In 2008 Newtonheath will continue to promote their
album through touring, first stop is a quick NSW tour in mid-February
for shows in Sydney, Wollongong and Manly. Keep your eyes peeled
for future dates to be added where you can check them out, in the
meantime go pick up their album, solid as a rock.
Website - www.newtonheathband.com
Myspace - www.myspace.com/newtonheath
You Should Listen To
- 'Fixation' & 'My Own Hands' [Here] |
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A
DEATH IN THE FAMILY
Are
: Jamie (Vocals & Guitar), Andy (Bass &
Vocals), Atom (Guitar & Vocals), Matt (Drums)
Come From : Melbourne,
Australia
Signed To : Poison
City Records
About :
A
Death In The Family formed in Melbourne in 2004 with the
release of a 5 song demo which caught the ears of many leading the
band to support bands like Sommerset, The
Explosion, Ted Leo & The Pharmacists
and Leatherface throughout 2005. In 2006 the band
released 'This Microscopic War' their debut album, which
was also released in the US, UK, Europe, Canada and Japan, they
also supported Against Me! nationally and played
over 40 shows internationally, this trend continued in 2007 where
they hit up the US again scoring a spot on 'The Fest'
in Gainesville. A split CD was released with Manifesto Jukebox
and the band continued to expand their fan base with their great
live shows.
What to look out for
:
In 2008 A Death In The Family will spend the early
months writing for their next release, you can no doubt expect them
to tackle the Arthouse stage many a time, hopefully
plenty of interstate stages as well, and with their track record
so far, they'll probably head overseas again and show folks how
Aussie's rock.
Website - www.adeathinthefamily.com
Myspace - www.myspace.com/adeathinthefamily
You Should Listen To
- 'Shackled' & 'Familiar Strangers' [Here] |
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LUNGS
Are
: Tom (Drums), Adam R. (Guitar, Vocals), Nelson
(Bass)
Come From : Sydney,
Australia
Signed To : Poison
City Records
About :
Three
members of the bands Between The Devil And The Deep,
Staying At Home, and The Reason
looked around one day and noticed that Punk Rock wasn’t fast
anymore, and that perhaps two of the most creative local examples
– Conation and Sommerset
- had just broken up. So, in mid-2006, Lungs was
born. Along with a desire to revive their favourite aspects of galloping
Skate-Punk, they also fostered various predictions for Math Rock,
80’s Metal, and cheesy singalongs, which they hoped to use
as a blockade against some of the more generic and lackluster constraints
of their beloved Pop Punk roots. In late 2007 Lungs released 'An
Anatomical Guide To', their debut album, after a string of great
shows throughout the year it's no surprise to see they were one
of the most talked about local acts at the years end as people began
getting their hands on a copy.
What to look out for
:
In 2008 Lungs will hit the road to promote the
album with shows confirmed in Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne,
Canberra and Tasmania, you really have no excuse (unless your from
Perth) to catch Lungs live in action. Look out in the indie stores
for the band's album, it's a breath of fresh air for punk rock.
Website - www.myspace.com/howlungswork
Myspace - www.myspace.com/howlungswork
You Should Listen To
- 'I Lost My Legs' & 'Tens Of Thousands' [Here] |
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THE
ROBOT INVASION
Are
: Paulo (Guitar, Vocals), Dan (Guitar, Vocals), Joel (Bass, Vocals),
Rich (Drums), Kahn (Trumpet, Keys, Percussion, Vocals)
Come From : Melbourne,
Australia
Signed To : Independent
Artist
About :
The
Robot Invasion isn’t coming. The Robot Invasion
is a name. Or is it? Here are five young men: a singer who guitars,
a guitarist who sings, a bass player, a drummer and a trumpeter
who does other things as required. They get together often, inspired
by The Police, Sublime, Muse
and a whole lot else to have a grand old time, to make great music
and to put on a rocking live show. You can put this to the test
at one of the many gigs the band are playing in Melbourne and beyond.
In late 2007 the band released their self-titled EP, launched it
with shows in Melbourne and Perth to great responses, while Triple
J began spinning their track 'Boil Down'
What to look out for
:
In 2008 The Robot Invasion plan to continue taking
their music to new territories, planning East Coast tours as well
as another stint in Western Australia. Keep an eye out for this
fresh outfit playing sweet feel good tunes with a summery feel.
Get amongst it.
Website - www.myspace.com/therobotinvasion
Myspace - www.myspace.com/therobotinvasion
You Should Listen To
- 'Boil Down' & 'African Beef Smugglers' [Here] |
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THERE'LL BE NO STOPPING :::::: |
PARKWAY
DRIVE
After
racking up over 160 shows in 2007, countless amounts of them sold
out affairs, a top ten charting album released all over the world
Parkway Drive will continue to dominate in 2008.
Their work ethic the key to their success, while many bands would
sit around and milk their new found success for all it's worth Parkway
Drive continue to target new territories and not overdoing it in
their popular markets, which will be why their tours will continue
to excite fans throughout '08 all over the world. This machine ain't
slowing down anytime soon.
www.parkwaydriverock.com
www.myspace.com/parkwaydrive
"Horizons" out now on Resist Records. |
A
WILHELM SCREAM
Fast,
technical punk is far from dead. A Wilhelm Scream
have woken up it up, grabbed it by the throat and introduced it
to a whole new generation of listeners. We got a dose of their live
show a few years back and ever since, punters have been crying out
for a return. Now that they've released new album 'Career Suicide'
and solidified their lineup after a few hiccups, 2008 will hopefully
be the year we catch the return of AWS. It'll no doubt be a huge
affair and they'll continue their rise as one of the most popular
punk rock bands on the planet today.
www.awilhelmscream.com
www.myspace.com/awilhelmscream
"Career Suicide" out now on Nitro Records. |
AGAINST
ME!
Headline
grabbers of 2007, Against Me! sure got their name
out there. Cries of "sell-outs" when they signed to major
label, then cries of "album of the year" when they released
"New Wave", not to mention setting the message boards
alive when Tom Gabel was arrested for battery. It was a big year,
and we reckon 08 will be even bigger for Against Me! No doubt they'll
return to Australia and sell out shows, internet bitches will find
something else to whinge about, but the band will go from strength
to strength and be one of the biggest by years end.
www.againstme.net
www.myspace.com/againstme
"New Wave" out now through Warner. |
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THE KIDS WILL GO NUTS OVER :::::: |
PANIC!
AT THE DISCO
Confusion
will be the first emotion the kids feel upon listening to a self
proclaimed "more mature" Panic! At The Disco when they
release their second album this year. Internet cowboys will have
a field day bagging them out, every glossy mag will have them on
the cover, they'll be everywhere, and a whole new army of fans will
jump onboard while others will claim "their old stuff was so
much better". Either way they'll sell a shit load of records,
sell out a shit load of shows and probably be the most talked about
amongst the teens in the first half of 08.
www.panicatthedisco.com
www.myspace.com/panicatthedisco
New album released in March. |
SAY
ANYTHING
Years
of online buzzing, plenty of touring and the odd spot of controversy
has thrust Say Anything into the spotlight in recent times and with
the release of their ambitious double album 'In Defense Of The Genre'
the kids are all over this band like a fly to shit. They've got
the tunes that appeal to the age group, they've had the struggles
the kids relate to, and they've played with all the right bands
to get their name out there enough that they can now command respect.
Australia is yet to see them live, but you can bet they'll be here
in '08, and kids will go nuts.
www.sayanythingmusic.com
www.myspace.com/sayanything
"In Defense Of The Genre" out now on J Records.
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CITY
AND COLOUR
Move
over Dashboard, your time is done, there's a new man with acoustic the kids will be worshipping this year. Already holding a solid
fan base Dallas Green aka. City And Colour will be king of the kids this year after his new album is released and he wow's the crowds
at Soundwave Festival in February. They'll be crying out for a headline tour ASAP and they'll probably get it. You'll probably only find
one sing-a-long louder than 'Coming Home' at Soundwave, and that'll be for The Offspring. Jump on the Dallas train now or miss out.
www.cityandcolour.ca
www.myspace.com/dallasgreen
"Bring Me Your Love" out Feb 9 through Shock.
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HURRY UP AND TOUR AUSTRALIA :::::: |
ARMOR
FOR SLEEP
Hopefully
2008 is the year we finally see Armor For Sleep tour Australia. With three stellar albums under their belt these guys continue to
go from strength to strength and many have underestimated their fan base down under. Sadly their record label's local arm didn't
touch their amazing album of last year 'Smile For Them', their loss though as fans managed to get their hands on it and loved it. If
you aren't already, it's time to get into this band, and keep crying out for a tour, hopefully of intimate venues so we can see them
in their element.
www.armorforsleep.com
www.myspace.com/armorforsleep
'Smile For Them' out now on Sire / Warner. |
THE
WEAKERTHANS
It's
been rumored for years, now hopefully with more people jumping on
the Weakerthans bandwagon after their awesome 'Reunion Tour' album
released late last year through Anti, hopefully this quirky and
infectious act can be one of the many bands to hit our shores this
year because they certainly are on many peoples wish lists and we've
gotten excited so many times with whispers and rumors, it's about
time it came true! If you haven't checked out the new album yet,
do yourself a favor and go grab it now, you'll love it.
www.theweakerthans.org
www.myspace.com/theweakerthans
"Reunion Tour" out now on Anti / Shock. |
PROPAGANDHI
All
the years of hassling Bad Religion worked, NOFX paid us their once
every blue moon visit and Lifetime paid us a visit, so I think now
is the time to shift the focus on an extremely overdue return for
Propagandhi. There's been whispers and rum ours the past couple
of years but nothing has come into fruition, so what with the band
currently working on new material, could we be looking forward to
a new album, and perhaps that illusive tour sometime this year?
We've got our fingers crossed that's for damn sure!
www.www.propagandhi.com
www.g7welcomingcommittee.com
Currently working on new tunes. |
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