A release Bayside probably wish they never had to do was this acoustic cd/dvd. As you know while on tour late last year the band had a van accident and lost drummer John Beatz, and bassist Nick suffered a broken back. After overwhelming support from fans and the other bands on the tour, the other members Anthony & Jack decided to play on the rest of the tour, in acoustic mode. The DVD part of this set captures the emotion filled final set of the tour in Chicago. A brilliant performance that would put alot of acoustic acts to shame. Fittingly it closes with a great tribute to John. A great DVD not only for the fans, a good watch for all. The cd is a 7 track EP, 5 acoustic versions of Bayside songs, a great Smoking Popes cover and a brand new track 'Winter' add your bonus material which includes a couple of outtakes from the 'Bayside' sessions one of which an Elliot Smith cover 'Baby Britan' and finally 'Don't Call Me Peanut' Live from the DVD. There's been alot of the expected message board cowboys putting shit on this release, calling out that Victory are cashing in on the whole tragedy, but i think you can say that was the last thing on everyone's minds when it came to this release. Considering the circumstances, the band has put together an incredible package well worth owning for fans of the band, never heard of them? Well check this out, you probably will be a fan afterwords. Victory has a whole lot of shitty bands, Bayside are not one of them.
Check them out at : www.baysideisacult.com // \\ Also available is their self titled album 'Bayside'

Faster than a fat kid on a slippery slide this album goes down the drain. Another pop-punk band living 5 years ago, but thinking they are modern by adding synth sounds. The opening track 'Sunrise Goodbyes' is a decent introduction, but next up the first single 'Exit, Emergency' is a disaster, the vocals are in auto-tune/pro-tools heaven, the synth lines all done before and a very over the top production which continues on throughout the album. Too much emphasis on sounding crisp, trying to write hook after hook means the choruses are in a different league to the verses. By track five everything really becomes unbearable, hopefully they haven't stored all their good songs towards the end, because i couldn't make it that far. Maybe five years ago, but not today.
Check them out at : www.houstoncalls.com // \\ Touring With Yellowcard next month

A Death In The Family breath a hurricane of fresh air into a pretty stagnant scene at the moment, kids are all going crazy over image and screaching, riding the backs of whatever band is cool this week, admiring copycats and neglecting bands with originality and creativity. It's easy to ignore all the shit yes, but it is frustrating seeing great bands go by the wayside while someone undeserving takes the gold from under ther feet. With any luck Melbourne's A Death In The Family will be rewarded for their talent and hopefully show up these fly by night bands and surpass them with this debut album. Anyone who appreciates rock / punk music locally needs to own this album, the hype is building and after one listen you will be on board too. Members who have done their time, know their stuff and really know how to write a killer song. It's hard to fault anything on this 10 track album, it's gritty, punchy rock, with melody and punk influence. Recorded in their own put together studio at The Arthouse in Melbourne and engineered by Leatherface's Frankie Stubbs, the production is superb. The band has layed one hell of a platform to develop on, hoopefully this album will find it's way onto all your shelves. A definate name to look out for in 2006. www.poisoncityrecords.com and get yourself a copy now.
Check them out at : www.adeathinthefamily.com // \\ Just toured with Against Me!

They've practically had as many labels as releases, but still manage to deliver the goods. Boysetsfire today may not be the Boysetsfire you knew years ago musically, but attitude wise they are still what they were in the beginning, maybe that's why they have jumped around so many labels. The behind the scenes stuff doesn't mean too much ultimately, but their bio makes for an amazing / honest read. So what to expect on this album? Everything. With each album this band has always taken a leap into new waters each time and continues to do so this time around, and the results are superb, perhaps you will need a few listens to totally take in some of the tracks. There is the melodic rock stuff, the hardcore stuff, the poppie stuff and even some stuff with a horn section. It's this diversity that makes this album an impressive listen from start to finish. A big production behind them and strong , meaningful lyrics as always, Boysetsfire are not done with just yet. This one is a pearler, hopefully we will get to see them back on our shores to promote it.
Check them out at : www.boysetsfire.org // \\ Melodic hardcore / rock at it's finest!

Much anticipated, especially after their smashing debut EP of last year, now it's full length time. If you are looking for some straight up melodic punk rock then it doesn't get much better than this, 13 fast punchy anthemic tracks from a band that will hopefully no longer be underappreciated once this starts spreading around. It really follows on from where they left off on the EP, with a pedegree of previous bands like Kid Dynamite, The Curse and Paint It Black you know what to expect. Many will probably disagree with me but i think that The Loved Ones wipe the floor with all three of those bands, and they definatly did not suck. This is the best album you haven't heard this year. you can change that, pick it up immediatly.
Check them out at : www.thelovedonesband.com // \\ Listen to tracks now [here]

I knew i was going to regret taking the plastic wrap off this one, the bio full of so much shit i felt ill reading it, and judging on their previous efforts it was going to be a hard time getting through this one. One of the gems from the bio is this : “If Only You Were Lonely” raises the bar in packaging trends, offering two separate, collectable editions of artwork that come together to complete a tragic and beautiful storyline. Hawthorne Heights fans will be scrambling to get both editions come Feb 27th." Raises the bar? it's been done loads, and generally to sucker idiots into buying the same album twice.. complete a storyline? it's a fucking picture, the only difference is a person on the other side of the bed... hardly tragic or beautiful. This is a band for puppets, somehow they got a huge name for themself and now every idiot kid thinks its cool to jump on board.. the music, if you can even call it that is absolutely horrible, near sickening, and holy shit is it annoying. How people can sit through this is beyond me, i got through 3 tracks before doing the play a little then skip part. These are horrible pop songs placed on overproduced "lets try and pass this as punk/hardcore music by adding in some really tough screams". It's like a batch of dudes have sat around Victory Records, picked out every little factor that sheep kids are listening to and then created this album to tailor to them, it lacks any kind of emotion that you can feel when listening to bands records, every note touched up to "sound" perfect, "where can i stab myself in the ears" great song title guys, it sums up the album in full, i want to stab myself in the ears, to put them out of their misery from listening to this absolute shit.
Please do not Check them out at : www.hawthorneheights.com // \\ Do not put your ears through this audio punishment.

Way back in 1998, the height of the latest revival of ska/punk, a band called Catch 22 released an amazing album 'Keasbey Nights', after that band broke up, members teamed up with another band who's split and formed Streetlight Manifesto. After a solid debut album the band started working on this record. A re-recording of the Keasbey Nights album of '98. Not wanting the usual re-issue style release that offers a bonus track or video or whatever, and the fact they were never happy with the quality of the original album, they decided to do it all again. 2 years of work and now it's ready for release. Why buy the same album again? Well while the tracks are the same there are some slight lyrical and musical changes here and there and the overall quality is alot better... the way the band had originally planned. Definatly a great concept and really took me down memory lane, songs like the title track 'Keasbey Nights' were anthems at the time, and to hear this brilliant album again is great. Very well done, ska punk aint dead while there is still quality bands around like Streetlight Manifesto.
Check them out at : www.streetlightmanifesto.com // \\ Also available 'Catch 22 - Keasbey Nights' The Original

Sick and tired of your music all sounding the same? Looking for new bands to enjoy? Then here is a tip for you, these UK lads have built up a solid hometown hype and are now tackling the world. You probably haven't heard of them, other than seeing they are about to tour with FFAF but give it time and they could very well be a name on everyone's tongue. Get on board now. Mixing up rock with pop and punk MAC deliver a very solid album that holds your attention throughout, no two songs sound the same and no whiney american vocals! This album won't change the world or turn these guys into the biggest band around, but it will entertain you for all 11 tracks, it's got hooks, singalongs and some good musical ideas, great vocals and a solid vibe. Look out for these guys, they are brewing a good batch, make sure you get your share come March 17th.
Check them out at : www.myawesomecompilation.com // \\ Touring With Funeral For A Friend soon!

The whole alt. country tag sounds like a disaster, but bands like Lucero and Limbeck manage to turn it into something special. Taking the rock roots and blending it with a twang of country they manage to forge a sound that's very easy to get into. This Limbeck album 'Let Me Come Home' is one to kick back to. Not the kind of record you want to put on to pump yourself up with, but near perfect to chill back to. Vocals are a big thing in this style, and unless you have a standout singer you'll be stuck in the mud. Limbeck have that covered too, solid lead and backing vocals. The album flows really well, i don't think there is one standout track, everything is really on a level playing field so there isn't any boredom as you listen through. Not something everyone is going to dig, but if you don't mind something poppy without being corny, and easy to slip on in the background, then take a listen to these guys. Rumours abound of a mid year tour too.. This is a band you could happily sit in a bar tapping your feet and drinking a cold beverage too no hassles.
Check them out at : www.limbeck.net // \\ Tour rumours building!

Something for the alternative rock fan, a four minute instrumental track opens up this album from independant Californian band Last Falling, signalling something epic is to follow. 16 tracks most of which well over the four minute mark, with the tracks all pretty similar in nature it will take a patien person to sit through this album. The recording quality is great, the vocals sound great, and musically they can all play. With such a similarity on the songs though it does become a little harder to listen to, particularly if you are after something a little more upbeat with catchy choruses. You won't find those two here, but you will find some well crafted songs that are alot better than the commercial alt.rock doing the rounds. Not all my thing but good songs nonetheless.
Check them out at : www.lastfalling.com // \\ Three piece with a big sound.

You know how they have those before and after photos floating around the net of drug addicts to give you that whole "holy shit what happened vibe". The career of this band could be likened to that. I cast my mind back to maybe 1997-98 going to a Frenzal show in Parramatta at Collector Tavern, and this "28 Days" band i'd never heard of opened and absolutely blitzed it with their punk/hardcore sounds. I'm all for change and progression in bands, but what is this shit?
Their so-called "no longer dependant - now independant" release. Sounds like a teenage highschool band who's been together a months demos.. If you thought the lyrics on their last album were bad, this one tops the cake. "You like to dress like a pirate, i kinda wish it wasn't true" great chorus guys, i'd expect that chorus from a bad ska band. Lot's of pot smoking references like you'd expect from an acne ridden teenagers band and plenty more horrible attempts at rapping. "Hey i'm bout to be the last mu'fuckin' thing you see, don't fuck with me and don't fuck with 2 8 D, It's Jimmy know [sic] you hear me and it's time to see, that i can rock a mic with or without your money", fuck me Chopper Read's rapping is even better than this. The last song is pretty funny, i take it that it's about everyone telling them to give up because they have turned into a joke, but they don't want to. Can't wait for the next X-Treme sports festival tour the band plays, maybe they could take Area 7 along for the ride and call it the "never gonna give up" tour. This one is painful, they even try a hardcore song. not working. Also, it's an EP, whats with the near $12 price tag?
Check them out at : www.28-days.com.au // \\ Probably touring on the next Moto X tour to hit town

Big Day Out ’06 for many people is arguably the worst lineup BDO has had in a long time, if not of all time. But with such little on that seem interesting, you’d figure it’d be easier to check out the few bands you really want to see. First off I have to say Adelaide has possibly the best venue of all Big Day Outs, it’s small, but big enough to make it easy to get around and they don’t pack they ground with way too many people (I’m looking at you Gold Coast BDO). It’s only fitting that an Adelaide band be the ones to open the day, and the honour was given to rising indie sensations Wolf & Cub. The show was a lot more energetic, the sound was much better than I have previously witnessed and I actually kind of enjoyed it considering I wasn’t expecting much.
The time is 11:30, it’s too early for lunch (I’d only just had breakfast), and I had the choice between Foreshore, Airbourne or a “TBA” act in the boiler room. Naturally I avoided Airbourne with their “we’re trying to be a 4th rate The Darkness covering ACDC” sound and headed for Foreshore. Man I wish I was hungry, Foreshore sounded like a slowed down Nickelback with Aussie accents, so I moved over to Airbourne where I found the scrolling text messages across the big screen to be much more amusing.
Faker put on a pretty standard set. They have a great bunch of songs but today they just sounded flat, and what is it with their singer insisting on running around like a cat suffering an epileptic fit? Move on to The Grates and I’m surprised by what I’m hearing. Not being a big fan of that style of music I’d never really checked ‘em out but my head was moving and feet were tapping (secretly, anyway…)
Over to the local produce stage for Wendy Icon and since when the fuck did punk rock become cock rock? I hope noone takes these guys seriously, they look ridiculous and their between song banter is just as idiotic. Max Chaos? Afta Dark? Please! They’re music is decent for what they do, but they’re still not quite there and it seems what they lack they just try and make up for in cheesy 80’s accessories.
The Subways who got their real breakthrough over here from their song being featured on chick show The OC proved they have a whole catalogue of great songs and an excellent stage presence to boot, meanwhile Wolfmother kept playing the same song for a whole set like they always seem to with the crowd lapping up every strum.
Over to the boiler room for what I figured would be the only time that day and Soulwax were easily the highlight of the day. With their electronic infused rock, they provided a diverse set with thumping beats and even got me pulling some wickedly shit dance moves (although the fowl tasting body-warmed bottle of Jim I smuggled in probably had something to do with it). I only caught Kings of Leon in the 3 or 4 minute trek from the bar to the Essential stage for Shihad who did their usual thing. Great set all the same, but it’s been done 4 thousand times.
The Living End mixed it up, playing all the hits as well as a healthy selection of tracks from the album they were releasing the day after. Leaving the set early to try and catch the last 25 mins of Henry Rollins, it sucked to see he walked off a good 15 mins early. I suppose I didn’t miss much, I came half way through a story about the Cure and the Stooges at some festival somewhere then came the predictable political rants. Over for another dose of Adelaide music, the local produce stage was filled with hundreds of little scene kids (by the way, Rundle Mall down there is full of those little scene bastards, it’s scary!) as the Hot Lies walk on. I was interested to see how these guys go down in their hometown and it’s safe to say that not much is different, but there was a pretty darn big crowd on the small patch of grass available.
Funniest call of the night was watching the Mars Volta with some dero behind me asking “Is this the Mars Volta. FUCK! I thought they were supposed to be good”.
I had fond live memories of these guys but they did appear nothing more than wanky on this occasion. Iggy’s sound was pretty good and I’m sure it was enjoyable for fans, but I can’t say I’m a very big fan myself. The stage set was pretty boring and the only one moving was the Iggster himself, so it wasn’t much to watch either.
Over to Sonic Animation in the boiler room and they weren’t too bad but by this time in the night I wanted to actually see someone good before I fell asleep. The White Stripes were better than I remembered and were a little entertaining but it’s till beyond me as to how they’re so big or even that they’re supposedly worthy of headlining such a festival. Back to the Boiler Room a third time (this is a personal record now) and 2ManyDJ’s (“That dance project with the guys from Soulwax”) were energetic and performed interesting interpretations of songs such as The Knack’s “My Sharona”.
As the night drew to a close, it was time for great Aussie rock legends Beasts of Bourbon to play their brutal style of music. Tex brought Adalita (Magic Dirt) up on stage for a cameo at one point and everyone around was definitely into it.
Sure it wasn’t the greatest year for acts, but yet again it was easy to walk away with many fond memories… one that will last is the crazy motherfucker who scaled the HUGE ferris wheel at the festival’s entry swinging the cage at the top from side to side while hundreds of punters looked on.

This annual event in regional Melbourne looked like it would be overshadowed by rain with little sign of sun early on, but by mid morning all had cleared up and the crowds converges on this massive well set out area with attractions for all. The Youth Precinct was the setting for the bands today, set on a large oval, stalls, rides and a stage for the bands where two band comp winners kicked things off. Celadore and Next Day Waiting, two very young bands showed why they were winner and runner up in the competition held to open the stage, some good potential shows in both bands, if they persist and learn along the way good things may come.
Local act The Tall Poppies playing their final ever show, pulling out a wide style of tracks from their catalogue, they warmed the crowd up and looked like they were having a blast. A few jaws in the front row dropped when they proceeded to smash their guitars to end the set. A quick adjustment to the settings with security preparing for the next few bands as the crowd swelled, watching their attempts to move kids back to move the crowd barrier back was good inbetween band entertainment, these kids, most of whom draped in black, and horrible hairstyles didn't really want to budge.
Sydney's Bagster were up next, getting a strong reception from the crowd, their upbeat punk tunes a little different to most of the acts on this screamy bill, a pit developed and the band made the most of their dual vocal attack, even with one voice nearly dead the crowd showed security that moving the barrier was a wise decision.
Rockers Trial Kennedy were up next and boy were they on fire, stepping onto the stage and launching right into things, these guys meant business, and it was refreshing to see the crowd respond accordingly, becuase judging by their dress sense you could tell who they were here to see. TK blitzed it from all angles, amazing vocals and a solid sound all round. Easily the highlight of the day.
As Behind Crimson Eyes took the stage i think half the crowd wet themselves, not that you could see through the sea of black. After watching a few songs i imagine a general band practice for these guys goes something along the lines of "hey guys i got the new dvd from "insert trendy us screamo band here", ive picked out a few moves to take, you can borrow it tonight and take some riffs, then you can study the vocalist." Somewhere along the lines the bass player missed out on the DVD pass around and got stuck with the Aerobics oz style dvd. I could only handle about two songs before it all became too much, not one drop of originality, everything seemed so fake and rehersed, and for a "family day" with loads of young children around, you'd think the singer would ease up on his tough guy language.. too much hanging around 28 Days maybe? Like most of the people on the outskirts i proceeded to find somewhere else to be during the rest of this awful noise finding salvation in some 80's pop music blaring out from one of the rides speakers.
The sea of black proceeded to disembark a little and was replaced by a sea of 14yold girls as Kisschasy took the stage. The screams almost deafening. Was i reading into the hype too much, expecting alot more, these guys failed to impress, there seemed to be no spark in the performance whatsoever, everything looked to be going through the motions and add to that a horrible mix that had Darren's guitar up so loud you couldnt hear much else, like BCE i decided to wander off after a few songs, this time a little disappointed, expecting more, was it an off day for the band? tour taking it's toll? I don't know, but today belonged to Trial Kennedy, a band who deserves to make it huge this year, they upstaged both these big names, and then some.
Congratulations to the organisers though on a day that seemed to have something for everyone, no hiccups, very much reminded me of the Ulladulla Warped Tour show a few years ago.