Taking Back Sunday

Pop-punk icons Taking Back Sunday recently released a self-titled album with all five original members. The new album, combined with the achievement of celebrating the 10year anniversary of their debut album Tell All Your Friends, has given them a new breath of life. They’re better than ever and kicking off an Australian tour tonight.

Since forming in 2002 they have had many lineup changes but the shift that happened in 2010 would be the most unexpected. In 2010 Taking Back Sunday announced that the original bassist Sean Cooper and guitarist John Nolan would be returning. This was not only exciting and unexpected news for the fans but also for the members of the band. “We definitely had no idea that this would happen,” explains Cooper. “When I left the band in 2003, I was very, very comfortable with that being the end. I was never longing to be back in the band when I wasn’t in it, but when my old band ended and Taking Back Sunday asked me to come back it was one of those things that of seemed to make sense at the time. When we all got in the room and started talking as friends again and we all started working on music it all seemed completely natural which is shocking to all of us. It’s a huge blessing to be able to do this, this much time later.”

http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/features/interviews/150177/sunday.htm

A Day To Remember

Florida’s A Day To Remember is returning to Australia for the fifth time as part of Soundwave Festival. These five guys are fun loving, energetic and enjoying the ride of their musical success.

“It’s just as a big surprise to me as it is to everyone else in the world,” says lead guitarist Kevin Skaff. “We just liked to tour around the world and see what happens. It just keeps getting bigger and bigger, It is awesome to watch. We’ve had a good time and hopefully it continues.”

http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/features/interviews/130787/a-day-to-remember.htm

Dashboard Confessional

Dashboard Confessional is hitting our shores this week as part of the Soundwave Festival.  It has been a couple of years since Dashboard have toured down under although time around it is just singer-songwriter Chris Carrabba accompanied by his trusty guitar.

“I am more than anything else excited that I get to go over on my own with just my guitar. The first time I came to Australia by then I already had a band. Other places I have gone like the UK or Canada and certainly America and Germany I started the same way. I just brought my guitar and showed up and played. I think that’s it an important connection to have. There is the backpacker mentality of going there without any kind of safety net. Just going over, you feel a lot closer to the people you are playing for, and ultimately you get a closer connection to the place you’re in. Well I do anyway.”

http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/features/interviews/134479/dashboard-confessional.htm

Enter Shikari

After recently releasing one of the most socially aware albums of our time titled A Flash Flood Of Colour, Britain’s Enter Shikari are heading down under  for the punk rock metal extravaganza known as Soundwave.

Growing up in St Albana, Hertfordshire, allowed Enter Shikari to explore many genres which make an appearance throughout their songs. Enter Shikari have managed to mix post-hardcore and electronica together perfectly creating their unique sound.

http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/features/interviews/129277/enter-shikari.htm

The Used

2012 is shaping up to be a big year for Utah’s rock band The Used. They are hitting our shores as part of Soundwave Festival and will be releasing their highly anticipated album Vulnerable through Hopeless records in March. The Used are a band who know what they want and dare to dream.

Before the release of Vulnerable, The Used cut ties with Warner Records and began working together with Hopeless Records to create Anger Music Group.

http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/features/interviews/125114/the-used-2.htm

A Day To Remember: 28th February 2012 @ UNSW Roundhouse

Thousands of fans made their way to Sydney’s Roundhouse on what looked like a miserable night. Florida’s A Day To Remember were playing their sold out Sidewave alongside of Utah’s The Used and UK’s You Me At Six. There was a diverse crowd with many veteran The Used fans and tonnes of teenage girls. This gig was designed to be a fun, energetic night.

It’s amazing to see how far You Me At Six have come since they formed in 2007; it’s shocking to realise that these five guys are still so young. The way they portray themselves on stage is amazing; as their sound improves on their CDs so does their stage presences. Vocalist Josh Franceschi manages to interact with the fans without missing a note, collecting gifts as well as kicking beach balls around with fellow bandmates.

http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/reviews/shows/139113/a-day-to-remember-2.htm

In Hearts Wake Album Review: Divination

The surf and sun up in Byron must be the main ingredients for an awesome metalcore act. Parkway Drive have been releasing killer albums for years and it seems that In Hearts Wake are on the same path with their first full length album, Divination.

There is an array of vocal patterns by vocalist Jake Taylor ranging from deep growls to mid-range screams that really set the group apart fro their peers.

These teamed with the clean melodies and guest vocals; from the likes of Winston McCall (Parkway Drive), Chad Ruhlig (Legend), Garret Rapp (The Color Morale) and Adrian Fitipaldes (Northlane), give the album that extra something without the added gimmick of auto-tune.

http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/reviews/new-music/206586/divination.htm

The Amity Affliction: September 29th @ The Roundhouse

The gigantic smiling mouth of Sydney’s iconic Luna Park greeted punters heading to the venue’s Big Top with rides, magic mirrors and fairy floss – but more importantly, one of Australia’s most popular metalcore bands The Amity Affliction were playing in order to promote their new album Chasing Ghosts.

Along for the ride was the UK’s Architects, America’s The Ghost Inside, and local band Buried In Verona, who unfortunately had a very short set consisting of a mere five songs.

http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/reviews/shows/208961/amity-affliction-3.htm

Evanescence: 28 March 2012

After being off the radar since 2007 America’s Alternate Rock Superstars Evanesence is back and better than ever. Their new self-titled record, which was released October last year debuted at Number 1 on the Billboard 200 Chart, as well as debuting at Number 1 on the Rock Albums, Digital Albums, Alternative Albums, and the Hard Rock Albums charts

Drummer Will Hunt reckons they are stoked with the response: “We are very happy that the fans are still here after all this time. We just can’t be thankful enough to them; that the public still really cares for us. It’s amazing and we are really, really proud of it.”

http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/features/interviews/148688/evanescence.htm

The Getaway Plan: 24th April 2012

For Melbourne’s The Getaway Plan it’s been an exciting few months. After coming back from hiatus they have not only won over a bunch of new fans but have given old fans what they needed: a killer album and a whole lot of shows. The talented four-piece are back and ready to show their true potential.

During the lead up to the release of Requiem in November last year, the song ‘Phantoms’ was put on the internet which lead to them garnering thousands of new fans on Facebook. The reception for Requiem at the start was mixed with fans eventually catching on to what the band was trying to portray. Requiem is an album that you need to listen to multiple times before you understand; it is full of depth which sets it apart from the previous releases. “So far it has been amazing. At first it was kind of slow. People were taking a while to kind of catch on and understand what we were trying to do. But now everyone is coming to peruse and people are giving us some great feedback,” exclaims singers and guitarist Matthew Wright.

http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/features/interviews/154756/getaway-plan.htm

Enter Shikari: September 21st 2012 @ Roundhouse

If the idea of a mosh pit crossed with a rave sounds like your kind of thing then the Roundhouse was the place to be on Friday. Australia’s favourite British post-hardcore band Enter Shikari had graced our shores for the second time this year and along for the ride was Australia’s In Hearts Wake.

Sydney welcomed Byron five-piece In Hearts Wake like they were their very own. With their album Divination being released less than a month ago, this show gave fans a chance to hear a bunch of new songs live, as well as their favourites from the EPs. Their set was only small, barely lasting half an hour, but it left current fans happy and grabbed the attention of many more.

http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/reviews/shows/205400/enter-shikari-3.htm

Heroes For Hire: 6th July 2012 @ Oxford Art Factory

Oxford Arts Factory is a combination of art space meets bar. There are leather couches, graffiti on the walls and dingy little alley ways giving the feeling that you’re at some house party, and what doesn’t scream house party more than a pop-punk show?

It was the sixth night of Heroes For Hire’s The ‘Just Shoe It’ Tour and along for the ride where some of Australia’s catchiest bands. Starting with Uncorrected, who although only a young act –  having only formed in 2010 – played a mix of super catchy songs with killer riffs. The perfect start to a wonderful night.

As drinks continued to flow Western Sydney’s Breakaway graced the stage. Their unique, edgy sound drifted throughout the room and continued the party vibe that had now spread through every patron.

http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/reviews/shows/178825/heroes-hire.htm

Periphery Album Review: Periphery II

Periphery’s self-titled 2010 release was the talk of the metal community for months and months, even those who weren’t too fussed on its progressive grooves still gave it a listen and fell in love. 2012 is going to be much the same with the release of Periphery II, packed full of the groovy, progressive, djent metal tracks that we know and love.
http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/reviews/new-music/178542/periphery-ii.htm

The Getaway Plan: 11th May 2012 @ The Standard

Playing three club shows alongside their appearance at The Groovin The Moo Festival, tonight saw The Getaway Plan play The Standard alongside some interesting support. For those who got down early, they were welcomed by Sydney’s Siren Lines, who were amazing to watch and set the mood for the tremendous night ahead.

Later Drawing North, hailing from our nation’s capital, captivated the audience from the second they hit the stage. This young quintet had brilliant stage presence and their unique pop-rock sound blasted out of the speakers.

New Empire followed, jumping on stage and belting out a mixture of new and old songs to the crowd. Singer Jeremy Fowler spoke about how Sydney was their hometown and that the crowd felt more like their family than just fans. Crowd participation was encouraged with their new song “Train On Time,” as they got the crowd to chant certain lyrics back, before slowing things down during “Ghosts,” which was also welcomed by the crowd.“One Heart/Million Voices” was the perfect ending to a great set; a song showing the extent of their talent. Starting off slowly, then rocking out at the end, it had the crowd swaying, singing and dancing.

http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/reviews/shows/162790/getaway-plan-3.htm

San Cisco: 9th May 2012 @ The Standard

Wednesdays are strange. The excitement of the previous weekend has died down as you wait in anticipation to see what the next weekend will bring.

However, for a few hundred Sydney-siders the party began a few days early. The Standard, a fantastic split level venue with a warehouse feel and many a great viewing spot, was turned into a sea of paisley, check and maroon as people came to see three fantastic bands showcase their talented indie pop.

Sydney’s very own The Griswolds began the show on an amazing note. Their five members buzzing with energy from the beginning, starting with a fantastic intro which had the singer playing along on drums, tambourines and a synth. “We’re all the way from Sydney” they joked, before informing that their second song “Beware Of The Dog” was about an ex-girlfriend. While “Mississippi” had everyone dancing with its epic percussion, finishing their set with a bang

http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/reviews/shows/160794/san-cisco-3.htm

Enter Shikari: 29th February 2012 @ The Metro

Being the last day of summer one would think Mother Nature would play fair and let us enjoy one warm sunny night. If you thought that then you would be wrong. It was a miserable rainy night as hundreds of fans continued their Soundwave week by heading to Sydney’s Metro to watch Your Demise, Letlive and Enter Shikari. Included in the crowd were many other Soundwave bands including Brits You Me At Six.

The vibe inside the metro was insane as Your Demise began the set. Vocalist Ed McRae spent a lot of time interacting with the crowd, standing on the barrier to allow for gang vocals and at one point jumping into his awaiting fans. Although Your Demise only played a short 40 minute set the whole crowd was full of energy and made use of the time; there were tonnes of people moshing and at one point the whole floor of the Metro formed a circle pit

http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/reviews/shows/139747/enter-shikari-2.htm

Underoath: 1st March 2012 @ The Factory Theatre

Thursday night was miserable weather wise and unfortunately the crowd reciprocated the mood. The turn-out was in fact morbid; with ticket sales down many were offered free entry to fill numbers. Upon entering The Factory Theatre you could see the pages and pages which were the “guest list” and by looking around the crowd resembled that of a local gig rather than an international Sidewave.

Due to the fact everyone was there just because they could be the vibe was draining. People stood in the crowd with arms crossed like it was a chore to be there. For those who bothered to make it down early they were greeted with the aggressive punk-rock come rock and roll sound of Uk’s The Smoking Hearts. The small crowd did not bother the band who threw themselves into their music with sheer energy and passion; they played to the small crowd as if it was a sold out venue. Vocalist Ben Mills not only bounced around the stage but threw himself into the crowd trying to liven up the mood. Members of the crowd begin to get the hint with the vibe increasing and movement forming.

http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/reviews/shows/140676/underoath-2.htm

Thursday: 27th February 2012 @ The Metro

Mondays are usually dull and boring but not when they are part of Soundwave week. Hundreds of Sydney siders brushed away the post-festival blues and headed down to The Metro to watch Circa Survive, Saves The Day and Thursday.

It was a crisp night with summer finally deciding to show in Sydney; the alcohol was flowing and everyone got down early to see Circa Survive grace the stage to set the mood for what was going to be a fantastic night. Although it wasn’t a sold out show the crowd made up for it by singing along and being full of energy. Circa Survive played forty minutes worth of crowd favourites – as the final drum stick clashed and the stage lights dimmed the crowd was left wanting more which; obvious with the bellowing sounds of hundreds of people chanting, “One more song”.

Cont.. http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/reviews/shows/139092/thursday-2.htm

Soundwave Sydney: 26th February 2012 @ Sydney Olympic Park

This really was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.. I have been to every soundwave, it was my first festival that I ever attended. The very first time i went, my parents drove my friend and I here, we got drenched, we had a ball running a muck like most teenagers do. I never ever ever ever could even imagine that years later I would be at soundwave, reviewing it, watching bands that I personally knew or had talked to on previous occasions.
On Sunday Sydney cracked open a drink, lathered up the sunscreen and headed over to Sydney Olympic Park for what was set to be a day of punk, rock and metal madness. Both the young and old threw on their band shirts and got ready to rock out.

Everyone who got down early to see Hyro Da Hero were amazed by the combination of rap, hip hop and metal. Not only did they pump up the crowd with their awesome sound but Hyro jumped of the stage to stand among his fans, encouraging everyone to spread the love and hug each other before singing “Sleeping With Giants”. Hyro set the mood for what was to be an epic day.

Cont.. http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/reviews/shows/136371/soundwave-3.htm

Incubus: 3rd February 2012 @ Hordern Pavillion

Summer in Sydney has been a joke, fine and sunny one minute then rainy and wet the next. Unfortunately Friday was the latter, the streets in Sydney were lined with water, the skies were dark and gloomy and people were miserable and soaked. 5000 people still braved the weather and headed down to the Hordern Pavilion to see Sydney’s Papa Vs Pretty and California’s Incubus. Doors opened at 7 and the first 400 to brave the rain and get to the venue early were welcomed with a free Tooheys Extra Dry.

If free beer didn’t make patrons warm and cosy, Papa Vs Pretty definitely warmed things up. The set was only short but the young trio left a great impression on the local crowd leaving many patrons wanting to see the local act again. To keep up the positive vibe the Hordern’s resident DJs spun tracks in between bands. There was already a big crowd inside for Papa Vs Pretty but before Incubus it was like everyone multiplied. There were no longer seats empty in the grand stand or standing room on the ground.

http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/reviews/shows/126734/incubus-2.htm

The fact I got free tickets to a sold out gig was pretty unbelievable.  

OFF!: 2 December 2011

In the country for Meredith Music Festival next weekend, Off! kick off their accompanying tour tonight in Perth. Fronted by legendary Black Flag and Circle Jerks vocalist Keith Morris the all-star Californian hardcore ensemble OFF! (with Dimitri Coats of Burning Brides on guitar, Steven McDonald of Red Kross on bass and Mario Rubalcaba of Earthless, Hot Snakes and Rocket From The Crypt on the sticks) are wrapt to be here. Dimitri was kind enough to submit himself to a super quick Q&A. We got the impression he kinda likes Kiss.

First things first, are you excited for the Australian tour?

Yes very. Australia is one of those countries we Americans look forward to playing. You have a reputation as a rowdy and fun audience who digs the kind of music we make. Three of us have experienced this first hand. Our singer has never been. He’s about to get his mind blown.

Any sights you plan to check out while you are here?

Steven and Mario have planned a trip to Moreton Island. Keith just wants to stick to the town and look for Olivia Newton John. I’ll sleep the days away. It’s a people over places thing which leads me into night.

http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/features/qanda/109529/off-2.htm

All Shall Perish: 28 November 2011

American deathcore band All Shall Perish have returned to our shores, kicking off a tour yesterday with Sydney locals Resist The Thought. It is All Shall Perish’s first trip to Australian since their 2007 Oz tour was tragically marred by a fatal motoring accident. The wreck, involving All Shall Perish’s support act, The Red Shore, a metal band from Geelong, claimed the lives of The Red Shore vocalist Damien Morris and the band’s driver and merch man, Andy Milner.

As Tone Deaf found a few weeks ago when speaking with All Shall Perish rhythm guitarist Ben Orum the tragedy seems to have strengthened the Oakland, California, band’s relationship with Australia.

Are you excited to be coming back to Australia?

I cannot fucking wait to come back to Australia. I love it over there; I love everything about that whole place. It’s a great place. The people, there is very awesome scene. It’s just a pleasure to be there. Every time we’re there we are always greeted with open arms. It’s an amazing experience.

Last time you were over here did you get to see many of the sights?

The only time we were over there we got to go see some sights. But as you know The Red Shore got into that horrible accident on our tour. That kind of took over. It was awful.

http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/features/interviews/108727/all-shall-perish.htm

The Getaway Plan: 4 November 2011

This was pretty surreal, I am a huge TGP fan so to be able to interview them was a dream come true.. If only I knew what was coming in the future.

The Getaway Plan release today Requiem their first release in four years – following their debut Other Voices, Other Rooms – the first album since the band announced that their hiatus had ended in November 2010. Clint Ellis from The Getaway Plan sat down with Tone Deaf to talk about their new album, the Big Day Out and lots more…

TD: So it’s been four years since Other Voices, Other Rooms. How did it feel to be back in the studio?

CE: It felt awesome, yeah it felt really good. I have sort of done a lot of other things between Other Voices, Other Rooms and the new album Requiem. So it just kind of felt homely in a way to be back in the studio and to have the album produced by David Botrill it felt really, really good.

TD: How was it working with such a successful producer?

CE: It was insane! It really was. We were like, “We want a child’s choir,” and he was like, “Yep, I can do that for you,” and he organised it for us. He just had so many connections around Toronto so it just made the whole thing so much easier. It was really good.

Read the rest here: http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/features/interviews/101646/the-getaway-plan.htm

VHS Or Beta: 25th October 2011

This was the first interview I had ever done.. Its a simple Q&A and I have achieved so much since then.. 

Chris Pfunder of VHS or Beta sat down with Tone Deaf to talk about the new album, relocating to Brooklyn, touring and much more. Craig introduces himself, naturally…

CP: My name is Craig Pfunder. I am one of the two remaining founding members of VHS or Beta. I sing, play guitar and write and produce with Mark, who is the other last remaining member.

TD: What can listeners expect from Diamonds And Death?

CP: I guess I can only compare it to the other records. It is a record full of longer compositions. It strayed away from the formula of guitar-based dance rock. It is the first record that Mark and I wrote together. Which kind of marks a significant change in how the processes happened; it’s way more electronic, more of a record that we have been wanting to make for a long time. We just never got around to making it, partly because there were so many cooks in the kitchen. So I think we are really excited about the progress of this particular record.

TD: You moved to Brooklyn before producing this album. Do you feel that strongly influenced the sound?

CP: I mean I think it would be impossible for it not to have. I feel like that we always really been influenced by our situation. Back when we were first starting the band our surroundings and our struggle with certain things in the music scene really helped shape the music and the process. I think, inevitably, the fact that we wrote this record the way we did in a studio in the isolated part of Brooklyn, the surrounding area clubs and the music that we were exposed to, yeah, it certainly influenced it. I don’t think it really created this record though. We would of found this record if it had not been for New York. [But] I definitely think it changed some of the tone and some of the mood.

The rest can be found at http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/features/interviews/99104/vhs-or-beta.htm. This was heavily edited by the lovely Melanie Lewis. I owe so much to her and the fact she believed in me.