ENTER SHIKARI continues to defy those who dare seek to pigeonhole them.

Their frenzied live shows have gone down in folklore, with NME declaring frontman Rou Reynolds is a man “set on destroying everything: the speakers, the monitors, the Barfly, himself, our ear-drums and, most impressively, the divide between band and fan.”

ENTER SHIKARI are performing 2 headline shows only on the back of their Soundwave 2012 appearances and Australian fans will be amongst the first in the world to hear new tracks from the bands forthcoming album ‘A Flash Flood Of Colour”.

Channeling the frantic intensity of The Blood Brothers, awe inspiring sonic complexity of At the Drive In, the unrestrained emotion of Glassjaw and industrial strength hardcore of Refused, LETLIVE are injecting new blood into the scene with their latest record ‘Fake History’…”Consistently thrilling and invigorating it’s a phenomenal record that’s worthy of all praise.” – Rock Sound
Continue reading Enter Shikari Sidewaves! →

triple j’s heavy music show The Racket lives on in 2012. And you could be the one bringing the noise to Australia each and every week.

We’ve been inundated with offers from fans & friends to take over The Racket on Tuesday nights in 2012. Well, this is it. This is your chance to play the loudest new music and talk to the biggest names in metal every week on triple j.

If you love heavy music, love talking about metal, love going to gigs or play in a band yourself… If you’re always looking for the best new hard rock and heavy music to share with your friends, then here’s your chance to share that love with the whole country.

To enter head to triplej.net.au/racket.

They’re taking submissions until Sunday January 8, 2012.

It’s been nearly six years in the making, but come January 2012, iconic eclectic British singer/songstress Beth Orton makes her long awaited return to Australia for a series of solo acoustic concert dates.

The British chanteuse begins her run of shows in Brisbane on Sunday 15 January at the Old Museum Concert Hall, before heading to Sydney for two shows on Tuesday 17 & Wednesday 18 January at the City Recital Hall as part of the Sydney Festival. The tour then continues to Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre on Friday 20 January, The Gov in Adelaide on Saturday 21 January before finishing up in Perth with shows at The Quarry on Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 January.

Not seen down under since touring her 2006 opus Comfort of Strangers, Beth promises an intimate show that will feature material from all her classic recordings – including Trailer Park (1996) and her two Australian chart successes Central Reservation (1999) and Daybreaker (2002) – as well as a special sneak preview of songs from her highly anticipated upcoming album.
Continue reading Beth Orton to tour Australia in 2012 →

South African rockers Seether are returning to Australia in support of new album ‘Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray’. Shaun Morgan announced, “We are anxious and excited to get back to Australia. It has been three years too long and we have a lot of catching up to do with our Aussie fans. Can’t wait to see everyone at the shows.”

Their latest single “Tonight” has been added to Triple M rotation across the board. The single is the follow up to “Country Song,” the debut single from their latest release. The video for “Country Song” received over 2,000,000 plays online. ‘Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray’ was released in May through EMI, the album has scanned over 200,000 copies worldwide since its release to date.
Continue reading SEETHER Australian Headline Tour – February 2012 →

From Grammy nominations to being hailed as the saviors of metal, MASTODON have never compromised in terms of vision or style and are shaping heavy metal in the 21st century.

MASTODON have never done anything the ‘conventional’ way and for over a decade they have masterminded a string of complex concept albums. Pushing the boundaries further, the bands 5th album ‘The Hunter’ is yet another universe bending, high-energy opus from a band that has changed the face of metal with Metal Hammer declaring, “infectiously brilliant heavy fucking metal” 5/5

Wowing audiences throughout the world with their ferocious live performances, MASTODON will be performing 2 headline sideshows as part of their Soundwave appearances. Be prepared for an experience set to leave you bruised, battered and longing for more…”Why Can’t all bands be this good” – Kerrang Magazine

It’s doubtful you’ve heard anything like GOJIRA, twisting and reimagining metal and delivering something wholly unique. The French behemoths have established themselves as a dominant force in metal since the release of their breakthrough album ‘From Mars To Sirius’. “GOJIRA are simply too powerful and competent to ignore.” – Metal Observer
Continue reading Mastodon Sidewaves announced! →

“MARILYN MANSON reminds us what it’s like to see a rock star actually perform for his fucking fans” – NME

Very rarely does an artist come along that defies the boundaries of convention and remains relevant in a storied career spanning over two decades selling in excess of 50 million albums. MARILYN MANSON has successfully pioneered ‘Shock Rock’ whilst redefining alternative music, blazing a trail of controversy and originality.

MARILYN MANSON remains a complete spectacle delivering one of the most creative and entertaining live shows in the world today and something that should without question be on everyone’s “List of things to see and do before you die” – Sounds Magazine
Continue reading Marilyn Manson Sidewaves announced! →

Photographer: Stephen Goodwin

Photographer: Stephen Goodwin
Continue reading Explosions in the Sky @ The Hi-Fi, Brisbane with Harmony – December 13, 2011 | Photo Gallery →

Photos and Review by Stephen Goodwin
Texan “post-rock” outfit Explosions in the Sky is all about intricate, intertwining guitars melodies that ache with a bittersweet beauty. Prosaically, you’d describe them as “pretty”.

But tonight there’s a single moment during, I’m pretty sure, Postcard From 1952 (or maybe it’s Let Me Back In) that showcases the impossible beauty of their songs.

The pulse of the song is slowing. The percussion drops from a storm to a whisper and, peering over the heads of the many rows in front I can see guitarist Munaf Rayani, couting the time with one hand, teasing out the pauses between each restatement of the melody.
Continue reading Explosions in the Sky @ The Hi-Fi, Brisbane – December 13, 2011 | Review →

Australia’s No.2 men’s player Matt Edben has been confirmed as the Brisbane International’s first men’s wildcard.

Ebden, who qualified for last year’s event, made it to the quarterfinals before being defeated by the eventual champion and world No.5 Robin Soderling.

The No.86 has had an amazing season in 2011 also reaching the quarterfinals in Shanghai. The West Australian posted wins against then world No.12 Gilles Simon, No.45 Pablo Andujar, No.67 Philipp Petzschner and American Ryan Harrison (No.79). Simon, Petzschner and Harrison will all be attending the 2012 Brisbane International.

Ebden said he was looking forward to the Queensland event and hopes to be able to better his performance from last year.

“Brisbane is easily one of my favourite tournaments of the year,” Ebden said.

“I have had some promising results there in the last two years and in a way that has helped be a springboard for me into the rest of the summer and the 2012 tennis season.

“I hope that it may be the place where I win my first singles title!

“I would like to thank everyone at the Brisbane International and Tennis Australia for the opportunity.”

Brisbane International Tournament Director Cameron Pearson said it is great to add Ebden to the Brisbane International line-up.
Continue reading Ebden awarded the first men’s wildcard for Brisbane →

LAMB OF GOD is fuelling the evolution of heavy metal in the new millennium!!

Hitting with the force of an invading apocalyptic army, LAMB OF GOD are back to inject Australia with a crippling dose of pure metal. With a reputation as one of the most savage live acts to ever grace the stage, fans can prepare for the onslaught for two headline sidewaves in Brisbane and Canberra.

Pioneers of melodic death metal, Swedish metal giants IN FLAMES have paved an enviable career spanning more than 20 years filled with millions of album sales and a slew of bone-crushing albums. Their 10th album ‘Sounds Of A Playground Fading’ is their most ambitious offering to date, heralding a new chapter in the bands history with Rocksound declaring IN FLAMES a band ‘”In their prime”.

Paving a path of destruction, terrorizing audiences throughout the world with their unbridled passionate live shows THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER deliver a barrage of brutal breakdowns and technical death metal with knife like precision. They have made a career out of being unpredictable, unclassifiable and uncompromising. Their new album ‘Ritual’ is the perfect snapshot of their career with Metal Underground calling it an “absolute masterpiece of melodic death metal”.
Continue reading Lamb Of God Sidewaves announced! →

The Queensland Tennis Centre is ready for next month’s Brisbane International following the completion of flood repairs works to Pat Rafter Arena.

Sport Minister Phil Reeves and State Member for Yeerongpilly Simon Finn today inspected the refurbished arena, in particular the back-of-house facilities which sustained water damage earlier this year.

“The QTC and Pat Rafter Arena are back better than ever and the venue is ready to welcome some of the world’s best tennis players to Brisbane in January, reinforcing our reputation as the events state, as well as the champions state,” Mr Reeves said.

“Just two days after Robin Soderling defeated Andy Roddick in the men’s final, flood waters inundated the venue.
Continue reading Queensland Tennis Centre set for a smashing Brisbane International →

The headline from a recent Billboard article says it all: “Like They Never Left.”

Legendary British rockers BUSH, fronted by charismatic lead singer Gavin Rossdale had more success in their first half dozen years of their career than most bands do in a lifetime. Forging a sound that would go on to characterize an entire decade releasing some of the most successful rock albums that redefined a generation.

BUSH now return with their first album in over a decade ‘The Sea Of Memories’ which is drenched in the bands trademark intensity combined with Rossdale’s emotive vocals propelling the band to compelling new directions. With a new sharply driven focus BUSH will be performing 2 intimate shows on the back of their appearances at Soundwave 2012.
Continue reading Bush Sidewaves announced! →

From a suburban Los Angeles garage to becoming a worldwide institution of rebellion, few bands boast a history like BAD RELIGION. 30 years on, the worlds still a mess and BAD RELIGION’S fiery songs are more relevant and necessary than ever.

On their 15th studio album ‘The Dissent Of Man’ BAD RELIGION pushes the boundaries of music as much today as they did in their formative years as a genre defining punk rock band with absolutepunk proclaiming ‘The Dissent Of Man’ “The best album they’ve written in well over a decade, compelling, charming and whipsmart storytelling.”
Continue reading Bad Religion Sidewaves announced! →

Followers of theatrical punk cabaret stars THE DRESDEN DOLLS can rejoice as news breaks of their upcoming reunion tour. The dynamic pair, comprised of Amanda Palmer and Brian Viglione, reached infamy through their brand of art house rock, steadily climbing out of the artistic trenches from which they were born.

The Dresden Dolls beguiling breed of stylised Brechtian punk cabaret erupts with theatrics, spontaneity and genuine frivolity. Fans and critics cannot wait to get in on the action once again after their previous tours proved to be such a treat:

“On stage they interact intuitively and naturally, their rapport is palpable. The best songs are manic, like ants at fairy bread…The songs are visual, they come to life, and seem made out of pieces of goddesses and monsters, troy horses and walking sticks.” – Brag

“From the second Palmer touches the keys and opens her mouth, a scene is set. It is century old European cabaret and it’s wonderful…Now that’s what I call a show.” – Drum Media

“It’s difficult to imagine anyone else pulling this off so convincingly.” – Rolling Stone

Whilst Amanda is certainly no stranger to our shores, it has been six years since she and Brian performed here as The Dresden Dolls and in the minds and hearts of their devoted fans, that is truly six years too many.
Continue reading The Dresden Dolls Return To Australia – January 2012 →