Los Scallywaggs 'Smile Stranger' - Newy

Mild West @ the Ori

GYO 2019

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Skegmass @ The Beery w/Pist Idiots, The Bouys & Soy

Misftit Mad Minds @ Lansdown w/skeggs, pist idiots and more

FKA Festival

Who are VHS Cult?

Once upon a time in a drunken conversation around a glass outdoor table, we've probably been on the receiving end of "Oi dude, lets start a clothing brand. It'll be sick." You then came up with a few ideas and it was heaps easy, because really, why haven't billabong hired you yet? You're a creative genius.

I'm sure the hype has fizzled and you go back to the table next weekend and talk about making a band or some other shit.

There are a few guys coming from the basements of a disclosed location around Merewether heights naming themselves VHS Cult. They are bringing back a DIY approach to surfing and band merch which in reality is a 'breath' of fresh air to the stagnant industry.
I managed to catch up with Dale Simcoe who was kind enough to answer a few questions on their behalf.

AK: Who are the people behind VHS? Like are you actually a cult?
VHS: There's 4 of us that includes Kurt Jones, Nathan Sheahan, Luck Pritchard and Myself. We also have Nat Tyrrel from Los Scallywagss and Liam Bell from Mild West.

Where it started...
I'd always be watching surf vids with punk soundtracks back in the dar and like the words VHS. So I drew it on my board and Kurty asked me one day "What's the go with it?" and frothed.. He thought to put cult on the title and here was born the first O.G kind of logo. It was the rising sun doors font which works well. Simple yet effective. 3 years ago we made a ghetto screen printer from a wooden photo frame and a heavy duty sheet stapled tightly to the frame and drew up some plastic stencils that are in a draw somewhere.

AK: You seem to put together a handful of events and have some big names wearing your stuff, like Billy from Hockey Dad. You recent put on Death Party 3 which had some amazing bands, care to tell us more?
VHS: Pretty sure Kurty gave him that VHS shirt and took photos of Hockey Dad at the Small Ballroom in exchange for a free ticket. haha, so it's pretty epic that Billy rocks the shirt. We also have to thank Los Scallys for making a sick scene up and down the coast. Cade from Soy (band) told me thats why he likes VHS so much cause we are genuine in what we're trying to do and we are surrounded by talented good mates. So it's exciting watching it unfold.

Nat came up with the name Death Party and it just sums us up in a fucken nutshell. A good environment where people can let loose and not be judged or ridiculed and just have fun. Death Party has been going on for 3 years and we have made it a fundraiser for our mate Appsy (Jason Apps) who became a paraplegic from a tragic snowboarding accident.
(you can follow his journey to recovery on instagram @jason_apps) It really gives the night a great meaning. We are so lucky to have so many good bands we know who want to be involved so its so easy to organise shit as it falls into place.

AK: Whats different about the garage punk/rock scene that draws you in?
VHS: We've alwasys been into punk rock and all sorts of alternative artists, so the themes we like to do revolve around anti-establisment. Even though that sounds lame this day and age. We just want to create a culture aorund the east coast for people who appreciate the creative arts of all mediums. I don't even know what's hot and not these days, I just like the feeling when we post a shirt to small towns up and down the coast. We try keep it genuine as people are more switched on these days and can see through the fake shit.
I also feel that bands are back. For a good 10 years electro styles of music was littering a heap of surfing vids. I mean the soundtracks were sick like Modern Collective by Kai Neville and Stranger than Fiction by Tyler Steele. It's just recently people are back frothing on good up and coming bands with more of a garage rock feel rather than the 90's punk style. But it's all fucken good to me.

AK: If you could have one band headline your event, who would it be?
VHS: Any band? hmm.. King Gizzard, Eddie Currant, AFI, Misfits. Kurt would probably say Queens of the Stone Age, Sheo with the Smashing Pumpkins and Pritch would say Parquet Courts or the Dandy Warhols.

AK: Thats a varying degree of genres, all totally sick bands though.
What are you working on next? Whats the future hold?
VHS: We have the halloween special again this year in late October which I think will be at the Cambridge Hotel but it's still early stages at the moment.

You can keep up to date with VHS cult by following them @vhs.cult or www.vhscult.com

Skegss @ factory Theatre w/Dumb Punts and Los Scallywaggs

Snakepit - Los Scallywaggs

Why you should go to more Hardcore shows.

Hardcore, metalcore, pop punk, and most things with the word metal often fall under the category "screamo" and it often gets a raw deal when it comes to mainstream popularity.

I know that I usually get told to "turn it off" and "What the hell is that? They're just yelling". - That really gets me going. It's 'a scream' and there are so many different types of them.
But look, I totally understand why it isn't liked. It's angry, violent and in your face and not what people want to hear when driving in the car and possibly fall under the stereotypes attached - Emo.

But what many people don't know is that Australia is currently killing it when it comes to this scene. We have so many good bands from Parkway Drive who essentially paved the way for so many new great Aussie artist. Like Ocean Grove who are collaborating with electronic artists such as running touch. In Hearts Wake, Hellions, Savior and so so many more. We have such a vast amount of hardcore talent in this nation.

Hardcore is a very honest and raw form of music. It isn't afraid to touch on the darker places in life and even the heavier political issues facing the world today. It gives a voice to those inexpressible feelings that some of us need to get out and these artists put everything into their work. Not saying other genres don't, but hardcore doesn't really have nor ever had the mainstream popularity that other genres receive.

This is where you breed the most committed music fans. Hardcore fans are so different from any other crowd I've witnessed. It is always the same people who turn up to the shows even if they don't really know the band's music they just love the atmosphere. The bands are also booked in smaller venues, like the back room of pubs and this allows for intimate shows with these die-hard fans and very cheap tickets. It creates an atmosphere like no other. Usually it's 50-60 people max at these local shows, which means patrons doing mic grabs and really interacting with the band.

And there is always a mosh pit. I bet you're thinking "fuck that." Swinging arms, kicking, circle pits thats not my thing and thats totally fine because I bet you have probably seen something similar at a large festival. The difference between the festival 'mosh' pits and a hard core mosh pit is etiquette and the patrons. At a festival you are most likely going to encounter the dude who's jaw is swinging harder than Mike Tyson's right hand. He is there to just try and 'fuck shit up.' Pushing people, putting hits on them when they aren't looking and then bail before you even get a look at them. I have friends who love this though, and each to there own. But after going to a 'proper' mosh pit you'll see why hardcore shows are the way to go. I could give so many examples but you'd get bored and I would like for you to experience it yourself.

The people are so kind to each other in such a highly volatile environment, the bands are modest and humble and are willing to spend time with their fans. It is a whole other type of experience that I wish for you to experience yourself, even if you can't get past the 'screaming' just look at the skill level from the other members in the band and the energy created from them to the crowd and it'll blow your mind.
Or not. You can sit at home watching repeats of the Bachelorette and Married at first sight, who the hell am I to tell you what to do?

Pic from: Saviour 'Headstrong Tour' Newcastle.
Alex.

Los Scallywaggs Bad Bones Bad Habits Tour

Think of something crazy gnarly, like putting a piece of string around a tooth and the other end around the back wheel of a Hell's Angel's Harley. Like that wild and gnarly. Well not that wild an gnarly, but you get the idea of just how loose the Scallywaggs and friends were on the first stop of the Bad Bones Bad Habits Tour.

Stopping in at the Small Ballroom the Scally's had invited their Newcastle pals, PALS. The Port Mac/Wollongong drongos Stale Cakes probably their last show (RIP). Along with Mild West who were the biggest surprise of the night (watch out for these guys) and Red City.

To describe The Small Ballroom is, well, a small venue with one bar, a stage, some lights and usually one or two security guards. Which makes for one hell of a time, and this had it all. Stage dives in the supporting acts, all female mosh-pits, that one dude who smells of piss and dances a little too aggressively and too close to you and your mates, you know all the good shit.

When the Los Scallywaggs came on stage it was all mayhem. People stage diving between songs, mic grabs left and right, the bassist Dale strumming with a beer, and the security being single handily kept under wraps by one young lad called Isaac by attempting to make out with her numerous times. So the Scallys have been on the radar for a long time now and have a few handy numbers in their phone books to brag about like, Festival Of the Sun, Snake Pit and the most recent Spaghetti Fest with Skeggs and Pist Idiots to name a few.

I could go on talking shit, but just go see them live, they're continuing their tour the next few months. Check them out instagram - @los_scallywags where you can find all the info.

losscallywaggs.bandcamp.com

Snakepit 3 - WAAX and PALS

WAAX have been pretty consistent in the spotlight since their single "I For An Eye" hit their unearthed page last year. Getting love from triple j presenters and others alike they have been working tirelessly creating catchy post punk music and and touring their new single Wild and Weak whilst getting ready to release their second EP.
"Oh woah, it's great! I think we've played Wisdom Teeth on Unearthed radio close to 300 times since you guys uploaded it so I've been hankering for another hit from camp WAAX. This one doesn't disappoint - relentless energy and spunk, it leaps out at you." - Dave Ruby Howe, Triple J.

Marie's passion and emotion is so obvious in her music and the way she performs, It's obvious her heart is worn on her sleeve and is perfect in engaging the audience. Along with staring at every member in the audience creates a great personal interaction. 'Same Same' is the moment where I start to analyse what I'm going through - I start to understand why I was experiencing these overwhelming feelings of sadness and confusion and the idea of insanity creeps in." - Marie
These emotions are all shown on stage and results in a convulsion of screeches from both vocals and guitars with rapid movements from the crowd and band.

Waax stopped in at Snake Pit on the NSW Central Coast with supports from Newcastle's punk brethren Pals who just released their debut album "In Between" which has been coping rave reviews. Triple J's Declan Byrne describes them as "Brutal, mammoth riffs. byo earplugs friends."
Conor's scratchy vocals scream through the catchy hooks and riffs whilst the rest of the band -Sam, Luke and Fraser are tighter than spandex on a 400 pound woman and work so seaminglessly together.

Other supports included the newly formed band StupidBaby, Nelipot, Bicycle Day and Lemon Tree.

Farewell Burgo (Raave Tapes @ Nesca King-street)

When you think house party you're probably thinking games like king of beers, beer pong and goon of fortune, then drinking enough alcohol to piss yellow for a week. But this DIY gig was different. It was round 2 of the Nesca party aka Kingas on the hill.

Going off last party where escapades included getting schwifty n shitting on the floor, defacing "So Fresh Hits of Summer 05." Which frankly is a fucking sin. And people trying to make a scuba tank into a giant nang. You'd assume it was a fairly normal house party and this one was going to be mental. But with all great stories there has to be a tragedy. The reasoning behind the party was a special surprise as Raave babes are farewelling the tallest and most adorable bassist there is.
"Tonight we say goodbye to the tallest, sweetest bass player you'll lay your lil' eyes on ✨ I've been making dumb songs with this gentle giant since I was 16 & he has always been the one I'd turn to ~ especially when we needed a deso driver. He's leaving some really really really big shoes to fill (literally) & I'm really really really going to miss him 💕 xoxo - Joab"

With emotions flying high, E444e warmed the crowd with his experimental beats creating a nice mood for the evening. By around 8pm the boys took to the stage with 150-200 people over looking Newy's twinkling skyline. It was a kick-ass night for everyone involved.

Thanks to Raave Tapes, E444e, No-Fi records and most importantly the Nesca Girls for hosting.

-"Put spec savers on speed dial because we're gunna be blinnddddd" -Nesca gals xoxo

Gooch Palms @ The Cambridge Hotel

Newcastle's greatest Punk advocates and down right sweethearts just sold out not one but two back to back shows at the Cambridge Hotel. Currently living in Los Angeles The Gooch Palms probably played their only Australian show this year to sold out crowds in their home town and the greatest city on earth, Newcastle. "The Gooch Palms Leroy Macqueen and Kat Friend are a total party band. They wear colorful, kitschy outfits and sing bubblegum-flavored garage rock songs... with absurdly catchy "wooo ooooh, waahhh AI YAH YAAAH" doo-wop melodies.” - Pitchfork
This is exactly what they did in Newy. Put on a party with everyone getting involved and singing along and special vocal performance by Leroy's old neighbour. I am still amazed at how much sound can come from 2 drums and one guitar. If you get a chance to see the Gooch Palms play anywhere I would highly recommend doing so.

Supports were No-Fi's strong local scene; Vacations and PALS with openers Big Chief and the Bottle Openers.

Snake Pit - Luca Brasi w/ Raave Tapes

Luca Brasi's youthful and infectious enthusiasm is what makes their shows something not to miss out out. Their precise melodic punk rock get the crowd rowdy and their cover of Paul Kelly's 'How to make gravy.' is one where you wanna grab your mates and hold em' close while you belt out your lungs. Luca Brasi are doing some seriously good things for Punk in Australia at the moment.
They're touring nationally soon so jump over here to get tickets.

Supporting Luca Brasi were Newy babes Raave Tapes. This was the end of their "XOXO 2 u" Tour which saw the trio tear up Australia. The boys put on a killer of a show with impeccable timing and great stage presence with Joab boogin' down getting the crowd into it. Joel (bass) and Lewy (drums) were totally in sync and feeding off each other.
Raave Tapes are doing amazing things for the Newy Scene and are bringing back Synth-punk vibes.
Listen here

Dumb Punts w/ WASH, Pist Idiots

Old mates Dumb Punts (Melbourne) came to Newy with their mates Pist Idiots (Sydney) and WASH (Byron Bay) to sink a few beers and play some loud music on their "This could be good tour."

The side room venue at the Croat is a lot like your friend's mum's dodgy living room. Ceiling fans, a bathroom with a single toilet, one strobe light and a closet where the audio technician is set up. But its not the venue that makes a gig, its the bands. Like sure the venue helps, but you can play in the back end of a brothel and still have a ripper of a show if the band are getting into it.

Here are some shitty pics from some top quality bands.
Also check out the new PUNTS/WASH tape.

Hockey Dad w/ Raave Tapes and White Blanks

It's crazy how 2 dudes can make an entire venue get up on stage and play sing along to their whole set. Hockey Dad can do this and have done this when they played at the Small Ballroom in Newcastle. Touring their new album Boronia Zach and Billy smashed out an awesome performance and felt more like a moshing-campfire sing along with your best buds.

The Newcastle babes Raave Tapes were supported with their new spunk of a drummer Lewis Horne; which was his first show before their National tour, should see them if you can cause they're killing it. Lead singer Joab also has a pretty impressive pedal board that is a must see too. HERE

Wollongong dudes White Blanks tore the place down with their blissful combination of Garage, Grunge and Punk rock to really get your bones moving. Dom Alesio from Triple J describes them as "carefree as a skater fanging it down Mount Ousley." Which sums up lead singer and guitarist Marcus Aiellio who was moving similar to a modern day Peter Garrett to every support act and was crowd surfing as if he was in the Quiky Pro. Even a fucking ironing board made an appearance and of course ridden by Marcus to score a perfect 10.