NEVER MIND THE ICE...HERE COMES THE NOISE

Never Mind the Ice...Here Comes The Noise is the brainchild of Grins N Needles singer Swifty McGee. It's his response to the growing Methamphetamine problems in the South West district of Western Australia and more specifically in his home town of Albany, where he has seen first hand the damage drug addiction can do.  

It’s really hit a chord and gained some positive attention since Bunbury WA just recorded the highest usage of ICE or Methamphetamine per head in the state of WA. Police and government were able to get those findings through analysis of the sewage. Which I find fascinating but far more exciting than sewage analysis is an all day, all ages festival of bands and skateboarding in Albany!

I spoke to Swifty to find out what Never Mind The ICE...Here Comes The Noise is all about.

Swifty:  NMTIHCTN “Never Mind the Ice: Here Comes the Noise!”, is an anti-drug, alcohol free, all ages initiative developed specifically for the youth of Albany, Western Australia. Particularly those who might be considered as ‘at risk’ adolescents. During the pilot event on the 8th of October 2016 for the (prospective annual event), we aim to provide inspiration to the young people in our community and offer a reasonable and safe outlet for artistic expression through events such as 17 live bands, Dj’s, skateboarding demonstrations, BMX demonstrations, art demonstrations, clothing stalls supplied by OWNED skate shop and a sausage sizzle.

That’s great! it’s an All Ages show!

This event where we are urging families to come and listen to some tunes, watch some skating, have some food and enjoy themselves all while sending a positive message to the youth that you can have fun without drugs. That, you know, hardcore bands and hardcore people covered in tats aren't bad people and if you actually listen to us; the leaders of tomorrow, we actually have a good message and a brain between our ears.

What is Albany's Music Scene like?

The Albany music scene is slowly growing, when I was a teenager here we had Reflections of a Dead Man, Smokem and a few diy bands. In order for bands to get more recognition like my mate Sweno in the FAIM Project most bands moved to Perth to collaborate with MUSIC IS NONE OF MY BUSINESS. We still have the pub rock scene and Indy scene just not much for the punx... It's an area I would love to see get larger and events such as NMTI offers the public a chance to get involved in the scene.

What made you want to do a festival with an anti-drug message?

For me an anti-drug community event falls close to home as some of my earliest memories are seeing my sister shooting up, she has two kids. My oldest brother was into substances at the age of 15 starting with harry and still is to this day, he has 6 kids. My other brother is currently serving time for ice charges and he has four kids; so I have seen first hand what drug addiction does to the children, families and community. Most of my friends are users and its for them, my family and the youth I have decided to try and make a change. I do it all for them...

I've heard there is some support from the local community? What kind of support is the event receiving?

We have so much support within the community from people who wish to help with compassion and solidarity for struggling with this affliction that it is staggering. Here is a list of contributors with more to be announced: Support

• PCYC

• UWA

• Palmerston

• Wanslea

• Drug Aware

• Cancer Coucil

• Smarter than Smoking

• Make Smoking History

• Doctors

• AYSA

• Acosh

• Drug and alcohol support services

Donators

• Lionetti’s

• Dominoes

• Snap Fitness

• Barefoot

• Owned

• Wakes Music

• Albany Events hire

• All Events hire

• Lets Party Hire

• Red Rooster

• BP

• GOfundMe

• Mad Marteys

• Mega Music

• Rockwest??

Stalls

• UWA

• Palmerston

• Bobbys Bikes

• Wanslea

• Aboriginal Health

• Sausage sizzle

• Drug Aware

• Cancer Council

• Owned

• Wakes

Thats a shed load of local support!!

Who can we expect to see doing gnarly tricks at the Skatepark?

We have Ryan S doing some shredding skating, Paul H ripping also James P and his crew flipping on the BMX just to name a few. Also we may have a big name coming out to support that will be released later if it comes through. Owned skate shop is doing the skate comps and Bobs Bikes might turn up to judge the BMX comps.

And that is just to name a few gotta keep some surprises for ya

How would you describe your sound in Grins n Needles?

…that’s a hard one I would say were shit political crust/folk punk, with a sense of humour. We have been changing things up a bit to get some different sounds. My inspirations are Rancid, LOC, NOFX, Frenzal and Redgum haha…Also Title Fight and a few later post punk bands. Our sound is f%$k you and gritty. Oh (And) Dayz n Daze are a huge influence on our crust four chord cacophony!

What do you do when you aren't playing music?

When I'm not playing music I write, train my two amstaffs, surf, skate and listen to music trying to get better. I used to own a photography company SKUUP doing surf and bands so I always keep a camera handy and my collection of old film cameras. I also have a huge library on political philosophy, anthropology, chemistry and everything inbetween; I hate fiction. Burrows is one of my favorite authors. I also study anthropology at UWA. 

(And) spending time with my fiance too.

What local Albany bands are on the line up? and can you tell me a bit about them?

FUZION, SECOND WINTER, ST JAMES SIREN and SHORT LIVED MINISTRY are a few of the local bands on the lineup. 

FUZION are an epic mix of soul/heavy/punk/rnb had a jam with them the other day and they sounded sick. SECOND WINTER I haven't heard but I have on good authority they shred. ST JAMES SIREN are sick I love there new age/hardcore sound. SHORT-LIVED MINISTRY is another band (I) haven't heard and am very keen to hear.

What other bands are coming to Albany? Which are you most excited about seeing?

Here is a full list of bands coming with more to be confirmed, 

• OCEAN DRIVE

• GRINS N NEEDLES

• WITCHCLIFF

• RABID ABBOTT

• RENEGADE GIRL

• 34A9ER

• DEAR LEADER

• SUMMADAT, VSOUNDZ

• CASH KARIZMA

• ST JAMES SIREN

• SHORT LIVED MINISTRY

• FUZION

• LIDAHMER

• SECOND WINTER

• SCYATIC (TBC)

• FLY THE FLAG

• RYAN GUILFOYLE

• SKULKA

I would have to say that WitchCliff are the band I am most keen to hear I have heard so many reviews and love Rabid Abbott and I hear their gatz player is in WC so I wanna mosh to that shit! 

(Flattery will get you everywhere Swifty ;-))

Anything else you wanna say about NMTI?

The idea for the project came about from our personal concern for the demographic of 12-20 year olds living in and in the surrounds of the Albany community. There has been a noticeable increase in the drug use amongst teenagers aged between 12 years and 18 years in recent years. The same can be said about youth suicide in Western Australia. In 2010, 27% of deaths in people living in Western Australia aged 15-24 were due to suicide, which often correlates with substance abuse. 

Our goal is to begin to excite young minds into using their creativity for good and create positive and real community networks. We endeavour to open an avenue from which these people can become enthused by the idea that there are a number of things out there within their community for them to become interested in and we believe it is our duty as mentors to foster their involvement in this process and guide them along as they mature into young adults with goals and aspirations of their own.

NEVER MIND THE ICE…HERE COMES THE NOISE is happening October 8th, at the Albany skate park and PCYC. Come have a great time, be inspired and if drugs are fucking up your life I've added some services that might be able to help below.

Great Southern Alcohol and Drug Services

Albany Head Space

Life Line 13 11 14

GRUDGEFEST! '16

SATURDAY 20TH FEBRUARY GRUDGEFEST! '16 KICKS OFF!

GRUDGE  are launching a new album and to help celebrate they've asked the best of Australian fastcore / Grindcore and punk bands to play a party of extreme music! 

I caught up with Frank Grudge (singer) to find out about Grudgefest!'16 and a brand new song!

When did Grudge start?
It started in 2010 when I joined (Rusty our drummer’s band) Freight Train Theory, at the time we played a blend closer to cyber punk fully with synthetic beats and samples. Through lineup changes and the acquisition of Erik on guitar (formally of the death metal band Embodied) the band evolved into grudge! year 2013. Soon after we recorded a debut EP.

What are Grudge's biggest influences? What is Grudgecore?
Home base started out as hardcore but since then we have evolved and done our own thing and tried to push boundaries. Essentially the middle ground for us is fast, whether it be thrash, punk grind or death metal. Not that we have to many bands collectively in common I can safely say we are influenced from Frenzal rhomb to Meshuggah, Aussie stuff like Damaged, Extortion, 90s stuff including Faith No More and maybe some Slayer too. Beyond that our influences really go all over the place. So what is grudgecore?

What's the new album called?
I’m not gonna spill that for you at the moment but I will tell you the first single is coming out today is titled Stray Venom.

What can we expect on the new album?
It is very likely it will sound the same played forward as backwards. But seriously it’s got one song over 2 minutes and many under 1 minute. Unpredictable hooks hidden in chaos are the go, plenty of blasts and straight up grudgecore. Hopefully it just sounds like awkward barbaric mash of grind, hardcore and extreme metal.  
What's the longest grudge you ever had? And how does someone get off your hitlist? 
Oh my this interview is searching for dirt and substance, I’m really uninteresting. Im to optimistic to actually hold a grudge. 
If you were going on a European tour tomorrow and could take one other band from Australia on tour with Grudge, who would it be?
Haha, tour, yeah right! Disparo from Sydney.
Tell me about Grudgefest! '16?
It’s been touted as a “friendfest”, but at the end of the day it’s got some of Melbourne’s best fastcore/grindcore bands. Not to mention the interstaters who pack a serious punch. It’s gonna be huge and best thing it’s free, so there is no excuses people are gonna get fucked up!

Go to Grudge's Bandcamp for the new song, Stay Venom http://grudgehc.bandcamp.com/track/stray-venom 

Get down to GrudgeFest!'16 Saturday 20th February at the Brunswick Hotel, Brunswick (Vic) and get brutal with Grudge, Hailgun, Disparo, Christcrusher, Morbid Anal, Cabin Fever, Meth Leppard, Drain Life and Rot.

CHARTER 77 - Music Now On BandCamp!

Hey Punx! Melbourne punx, Charter 77, (my old band) are getting back together for one show! It's been 10 years since Charter 77's album Our Reality came out, and to celebrate the anniversary and playing a show again, we have started a Band Camp! Here you'll find all the recordings that have been lost in time.

Charter 77 - Our Reality (2005 Trial and Error)

I wanted to write something about Charter 77 but didn't know where to start. So the following is an interview that went badly between me and my girlfriend Holly.

In the end she found it too hard to ask me any questions because I was being an unhelpful jerk and I got mad with her interview style, but she did a great job dealing with my shitty attitude...here it is...it's titled...

Still-birth of Charter 77

By Holly Saville

Lisa's Backyard party in Clayton

"Ever since I was a young punk I had watched Charter 77 in awe and admiration, smashing myself around in the pit with my friends screaming about fish and chips and ray martin, but as with all great things it had to come to an end. They left a lasting legacy on the Melbourne punk scene, leaving all their friends and fans with the question, 'when are you boys getting the band back together?'  Rumours would crop up every now and then about a reformation, but they always ended up being the wishful thinking of some old punk.

Late 2015 the rumours started circling again, I had gotten my hopes up to many times to pay much mind to it, but this time it wasn't wishful thinking, thanks to the persistent efforts from Stu (Loners with Boners and more recently Organ Donor), and a killer offer to play with none other than G.B.H the Charter boys agreed to play one more show. just one, for old times sake. curious about how this all came about i asked Paul from Charter 77 a few questions.

Ok. So what made you finally reconsider getting the band back together?

Stu, got it back together.

How did he manage that?

He spoke to every one individually, and convinced us all separately that it would be fun to play a show together again, he offered us the g.b.h support. We thought it would be fun.

What made you guys break up in the first place?

I remember the day i didn't want to do it anymore.  It had got to the stage where rehearsals weren't fun  or we just weren't rehearsing, for me it just became stagnant, we weren't writing anything new, so i told the guys i didn't want to do it. and i quit. some other people played guitar for a bit, Stu played for a while and Trav from geelong,

How long after you quit did the band break up officially?

I have no idea when I quit and I have no idea when they decided to stop either. I drank a lot. I saw Stu play in the band when they supported The Exploited when Exploited first came to Melbourne.

Joel, whipping up a storm.  At the Tote?

Why did you decide to only get back together for one show?

We all have different things going on now, i have other bands that i am committed to and i live in Western Australia, Lucas lives in lakes entrance, I also feel that the band had run its course, it was fun while it lasted.

Will you guys be doing anything new at this show or will it be all the classics?

No its just going to be all the classics,

Will you have any of your music available to buy on the night? 

We are re-releasing Our Reality on band camp, thats our only album. It was released in 2005  on Trial And Error and hasn't been available since it sold out. Also there is an older release called 3 Year Binge, which is live tracks and demo tracks of the first 3 years of this line up. There might also be a release of the songs that Red did when he started the band, songs that were released for the Hardcore Revolution Bastard Squad Tribute (came out on Noise Pollution Records).

Most memorable gig with the band?

The first gig that comes to mind was at Fun Factory in Footscray. I had been drinking bourbon all day and only got through 3 songs before i thought we were playing out of time - and we probably were - and i threw my guitar and walked out. Not my proudest moment but the most memorable. I got lost and had to take a shit in someones yard after that.

Best gig?

Wasted Festival in 2006 in the Gershwin room. we played well and it was a great day... Peter and The Test Tube Babies played and Beerzone, The Blurters, heaps of bands!

Best road trip story? I vaugely remember something about red and canberra?

Road trips didn't happen very often, but we played in canberra in a park in the middle of winter it was minus 2 degrees! There was a fire, and we played on one side of the fire and there was about 10 people on the other side of the fire. I remember that we played with Hard Luck. After the show, when we were piling in the car to go stay at someones house, Red told us he wasn't coming and walked off the other way. The next morning before we headed to Sydney we rang him and he told us that he had started walking along the highway to sydney. When we asked him which highway he was on we found out that he had been walking all night on the highway back towards Melbourne. He got nicknamed Vagrant for the rest of the trip.

Favourite place to play?

The Birmingham Hotel...in Collingwood. It was awesome because there was a function room and a p.a and we could put on gigs when ever we wanted. "

And that's as far as we got.

(Thanks Holly, I think you are rad! :-) Love Paul.)

Charter 77 are playing with G.B.H. on the 26th Feb at the Bendigo Hotel in Collingwood.

MORE STUFF ABOUT CHARTER 77

By Paul McGoldrick

We played as much as possible between 1999 and 2007. We did make it to Adelaide, Sydney, Canberra, and Brisbane but not often. Sydney was definitely a few times. We were big fans of The Blurters and would more than likely play with those guys when we went to Sydney. Punks Picnics in Sydney were great too! 

Playing so often made us really tight. We got really good at playing drunk. Our songs were simple but there was still room to fuck them up if we were too wasted. Most times gig's would go well..., we'd nearly always ended the set on a classic Oi! song or later, more often than not, Just to Get Away by Poison Idea, which seemed to antithesis a common feeling in the band.

Lucas at House of Fools

Somehow we managed to record, despite all of us being broke all the time. Lucas was handy with sound, so we've got some good demo's and live recordings. It's weird that we just kept pressing along and didn't care about anything except playing to our friends at the Birmingham every weekend. We would play other venues but I don't remember ever wanting to get known by people or get a following. All that mattered was that some people would come have a beer with us and a sing a long. Now I see that we flew under the radar of a lot of people, and that was a good thing, the people who knew us either loved or hated us.

Our influences were anything punk. Punk. Pop-punk. Oi! Street punk. Hardcore. Anything under the broad banner of punk. Early on I was all about Oi!, The Business, Cockney Rejects, Iron Cross...I was massive fan of Dropkick Murphy's and in 2002 we got to support them at the Corner Hotel. We played Never Fall by Al Barrs' old band, The Bruisers. We asked him to sing it, but he politely declined.

Red at a Freeza show in Pakenham

Other gig highlights, included playing shows with Anti-Nowhere League, U.K Subs, The Bouncing Souls, Toe To Toe, and Strung Out. When Trial and Error released our album, they organised a tour with folk punk outlaws Sydney City Trash, and we loved their music instantly and became good friends.  The second last show Charter 77 played was with SC Trash at the Nash in Geelong. 

Most of the time it wasn't playing with well know bands, we played with GGF (Go Get Fucked), The Homewreckers, Hippy War Generals, No Idea, Loners With Boners, Dropped at Birth, Filthy Beer Mugs...those are the ones of the top of my head. We played with most of those bands nearly every other weekend. 

I feel like I quit the band around 2007 but I really can't remember. I got to see Charter 77 play with Exploited the first time they were here, Trav was playing guitar. That was really cool to see them play with the Exploited. The band has always been about fun and adversity. The reason we are playing with G.B.H. is that it will be fun and we are keen to play to some people who never got to see us play. Punk music attracts young people too it, so there will be some people who may have heard us but never seen us play. I've talk to a few people like that already, since this show was announced. I'm really looking forward to playing this. I've been sober for nearly 4 years now, so my playing is much better than I used to be, and you can expect and solid performance from all of us...not the train wreck that would occasionally happen in the past.

 

I was doing it way before Miley Cirus!

Cheers...Thanks for reading. - Paul

Here's our new BandCamp with all that lost music.

Charter 77