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,
• 34A9ER
• SUMMADAT, VSOUNDZ
• CASH KARIZMA
• SHORT LIVED MINISTRY
• FUZION
• LIDAHMER
• SECOND WINTER
• 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!
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.
Life Line 13 11 14
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