Returning in 2014, Break The Ice will once again bring together the best in local and international hardcore for a weekend of community and celebration for the music we all hold so dear. Having doubled the festivals size in 2013, 2014 sees the festival remain in its previous venue at Lilydale Showgrounds whilst expanding to make use of the roaming facilities available. The line-up itself will consist of 10 bands playing across each day, headlined by the force of nature that is Ringworm. In support will be other international purveyors of all things hardcore Foundation and Twitching Tongues. Joining the bill on each day will be the best established and up and coming Australian hardcore bands, ranging from coast to coast and all different styles of hardcore. Break The Ice celebrates the diversity of the scene as well as the people that shape it. Grab your tickets here.
In the lead up to the festival we'll be profiling the talented bands who make up the local contingency.
STARVATION (Answered by Moose - Vocals)
1. Hometown?
Melbourne technically but I moved to Adelaide when I was like 1. Ben is from Coober Pedy, Dan is from Port Lincoln (both in country SA) and Jonno and Footy are Adelaide boys.
2. Latest release and where to hear it?
Our self-titled LP. We don't have Facebook but you can listen to it at the Lethal Dose Bandcamp
3. Introduce the band and how it formed?
We are Starvation and have always had the same line up. I had a bunch of riffs stockpiled, some of them from years prior, so I made drum beats with this shitty drum machine program called Doggie Box. I downloaded a china crash sample for it and everything. I then recruited Ben, Dan, Jonno and Footy. The line-up came together pretty easily (Dan, Jonno and I were in Vaginors together) but because we were all in other bands when we started it was much more chilled, with everyone touring and putting out releases etc. Initially I just wanted the band to sound like Chokehold, Left For Dead, Think I Care etc and that really comes through on the demo and the split, but the LP draws from a much wider variety of influences which is pretty cool and not where I expected the band to be at this point.
4. Any releases coming soon?
I'm pretty keen to do another record this year, probably a 7 inch because I want to get copies available overseas and it's easier to do that with a 7".
5. Which international playing Break The Ice are you looking forward to the most?
Ringworm!
6. Reunions are a big part of hardcore nowadays, if one Australian band could reunite and play who would you pick?
Cold Chisel or INXS if you have the power of reincarnation. Hardcore reunions are usually pretty dog shit but I would kill to see Extortion with one their original line ups again, either:
Rohan - Vocals
Jay - Guitar
Rhys - Drums
Dan - Bass
or
Rohan - Vocals
Jay - Guitar
Rhys - Guitar
Dan - Bass
Dean - Drums
Playing songs from 2005-2008.
7. Best thing about playing Break The Ice?
It's sick! Seeing heaps of people and shit is awesome and playing in front of a huge crowd is so fun.
8. Advice for surviving the two days of Break The Ice?
Mike Papez brought a deck chair last year and I wanted so bad to bash him and take it. So I'll be doing that this year. Drink heaps of water and eat well. Also don't forget to take in how beautiful Lilydale is.
9. You can only dance to one part; the mosh part of Justice Replaced By Revenge or the intro of Bulldozed?
Option c) the break in COLD that sounds like music from DOOM.
10. Local band not to miss?
Shackles monstered at Hardcore 2013 so I'm pumped to see them on a big stage again especially if they have 2 drummers, but it's hard to go past MINDSNARE! I'm playing in Manhunt too, watch me play some sick songs with them because they have worked super hard and are a sick band!
11. Favourite things to do while in Melbourne?
Going to see North Melbourne play, especially at the MCG, and visiting my parents. The best part is actually the drive there and back because we are all smartasses and talk heaps of hilarious shit. Footy always pulls elaborate pranks on us.
COLOSSUS (Answered by Chewy - Vocals)
1. Hometown?
Melbourne.
2. Latest release and where to hear it?
Cleansed In Blood/Reborn In Sin 7" http://www.colossvs.bandcamp.com
3. Introduce the band and how it formed?
The band is made up of Joseph and Mike on guitar, Blackout on bass, Ash on drums and Nosferatew on vocals. It formed a few years ago with a different singer and kind of died after two shows, then I joined and we've been playing shows and writing ever since.
4. Any releases coming soon?
Our debut LP "Unholy" is now finished. We're still working out the details of the release but it (hopefully) shouldn't be too far away.
5. Which international playing Break The Ice are you looking forward to the most?
Foundation, simply so I can sweat Hank about bringing Dead In The Dirt out.
6. Reunions are a big part of hardcore nowadays, if one Australian band could reunite and play who would you pick?
Taking Sides or Her Nightmare.
7. Best thing about playing Break The Ice?
Playing to a new bunch of people that might not have heard or seen us before.
8. Advice for surviving the two days of Break The Ice?
Krill.
9. You can only dance to one part; the mosh part of Justice Replaced By Revenge or the intro of Bulldozed?
Justice Replaced By Revenge.
10. Local band not to miss?
Shackles.
11. Favourite things to do while in Melbourne?
Trippy Taco.
MOOD SWING (Answered by Tom - Guitar)
1. Hometown?
I am from Newcastle, but the rest of the band is from Sydney and the band is based there.
2. Latest release and where to hear it?
Latest release is our split with Frozen Over, which was released last month through Life.Lair.Regret Records. You can listen to the whole thing at http://lifelairregretrecords.bandcamp.com/album/frozen-over-mood-swing-split, and it's also available as a free download on there.
3. Introduce the band and how it formed?
The band is myself on guitar, Jem on guitar, Brandon on vocals, Tom on bass and Ryan on drums. The band was first formed after talking to our former guitarist Josh about some new bands that we were wanting to start, and realizing that one of the bands was very similar, and deciding to combine the songs we'd already written for it and seeing if we could do something with them. After that discussion we asked Brandon, who plays in Legions with Josh, if he wanted to sing, as we knew he'd be great at it, and fortunately he was keen. We saw Tom later that day and told him about it, and he jumped at the chance to play bass. We looked for a drummer for a bit and found Glynn, and he played on the demo and Frozen Over split and most of the shows we played last year. At the end of last year and early this year, Josh and Glynn decided they wanted to step down from the band, so we brought in Jem (Endless Heights) and Ryan (ex-Civil War) to replace them, and that's the line up we've got now.
4. Any releases coming soon?
The split with Frozen Over has just been released, so now that's out we've started working on a 7" of our own, which we will hopefully record in the next few months. It will be the first release we've written and recorded with this line up, so I am looking forward to seeing what the end result will be. Other than that, we've got a couple of compilation and split ideas that have been put to us, so hopefully they will eventuate as well and we'll have a few more releases out pretty soon.
5. Which international on Break The Ice are you looking forward to the most?
I'd say probably Foundation. Their last LP was awesome and I've been waiting to see them for a while now. I'm looking forward to seeing all of them though really. I mean who doesn't like Ringworm? Of course I'm looking forward to seeing them again. I've heard good things about Twitching Tongues' live show, so maybe they will win me over with that. I used to listen to Misery Signals a bit when I was younger, so seeing them again will be good as a bit of a nostalgic thing, although I haven't heard any of the last one or two records they've done. And I haven't listened to Disgrace much, but others in the band and friends have been saying how excited they are for their set, so I'm sure that will be worth checking out.
6. Reunions are a big part of hardcore nowadays, if one Australian band could reunite and play who would you pick?
I'm gonna go with Life.Love.Regret if I have to choose one. "Sick Of Goodbyes" is an Australian hardcore classic and I never got to see them as they were before my time. I don't think the festival necessarily needs a reunion set though to thrive. Part of the appeal to me about the line up from this year and last year is that it's the best current bands in Australian hardcore, along with a few cool internationals. It's much cooler to celebrate the best of the current crop rather than bringing someone back from the past. Or maybe Reincarnation.
7. Best thing about playing Break The Ice?
I haven't played any of the previous years, so I can't comment on that aspect just yet. But one of the good things about the festival last year that it brought together so many people from different parts of the country. We'll get to see so many friends from all over the place on the one weekend, and I think that will make for a good set for us and it should be a lot of fun.
8. Advice for surviving the two days of Break The Ice?
Bring a camping chair so you've got somewhere to sit down wherever you are. Make regular visits to the Gladz drink stall so you don't get too thirsty. Go to the bottle-o before the show and stock up so you're ready to get stuck into it as soon as the show finishes (but not beforehand because Oli won't like that). There's a McDonald's, KFC and Hungry Jack's all next to each other on Swanston Street, so fly into there before the shows and grab some quality items to make sure you don't get too hungry while you're stuck out in Lilydale.
9. You can only dance to one part; the mosh part of Justice Replaced By Revenge or the intro of Bulldozed?
Damn this is a tough one, had to sit here and think about it for a good moment. I think I'm going to go with the mosh part of Justice Replaced By Revenge, but I could well change my mind before the day. I'll probably see you during both.
10. Local band not to miss?
Downside. Newcastle's finest. Very stoked that they're playing this year. They will have their new 7" recorded by then and will probably play a few songs from that, so that will be great and I can't wait to see them win over a bunch of people who might not have seen or heard them before.
11. Favourite things to do while in Melbourne?
Go to the pub with Joel McGann and spend more on a pot of some shit beer than it costs to buy a schooner in Newcastle. And they don't show rugby league on the TV or have poker machines in a lot of them, it feels like I've landed on some foreign planet.
BLKOUT (Answered by Colby - Drums)
1. Hometown?
We're from Perth, not that we're particularly proud of it.
2. Latest release and where to hear it?
The 'Point Of No Return' LP, check it on the internet or at Resist Records.
3. Introduce the band and how it formed?
I was not around when Blkout formed, though I'm sure it is just another cut & paste story. The fresh line up centres around the fact that it was too hard having members in other states, or states of mind.
4. Any releases coming soon?
We've been talking about doing a 7" this year, we've got a couple songs down. We'll see.
5. Which international playing Break The Ice are you looking forward to the most?
Misery Signals are gonna be great.
6. Reunions are a big part of hardcore nowadays, if one Australian band could reunite and play who would you pick?
If the original Extortion lineup were to play again, I'd be pretty stoked.
7. Best thing about playing Break The Ice?
It's great to be breaking our trend of not playing shows over East, and playing to some good crowds too. Hopefully we can start picking up some more.
8. Advice for surviving the two days of Break The Ice?
I'm sure you'll live, but if you don't GET SPIRITUAL with The Others on day two - then you'll just be livin' different.
9. You can only dance to one part; the mosh part of Justice Replaced By Revenge or the intro of Bulldozed?
Justice for days.
10. Local band not to miss?
I definitely won't be missing Downside. Newy!
11. Favourite things to do while in Melbourne?
Cherry Bar. Nothing more can be said, it's my favourite bar in Aus and every part of the world I've seen so far. BTI Friday night, turn up!
SHACKLES (Answered by Mark - Vocals)
1. Hometown?
Originally we were based around the Byron shire but most of us are now based in Brisbane.
2. Latest release and where to hear it?
The LP 'Forced To Regress' on Resist Records.
3. Introduce the band and how it formed?
The foetal version of the bad formed in 2010, then in 2011 we underwent some line up changes and a slight name change. And since then it's more or less been the same six dudes on a revolving door line up. Sometimes we play as a four piece then sometimes as a six piece with two drummers. The core influences have stayed the same but there's been evolution with every release. Bands we take a lot from in no particular order are: Infest, Napalm Death, Think I Care, Crossed Out, No Comment and Eyehategod. Plus plenty more.
4. Any releases coming soon?
Not for a while.
5. Which international playing Break The Ice are you looking forward to the most?
The whole line up is good. It's different to the last two years and probably the most diverse. Playing on a bill with Ringworm is a highlight. Disgrace are also cool.
6. Reunions are a big part of hardcore nowadays, if one Australian band could reunite and play who would you pick?
I don't really like reunions cause they distract people from the fresh shit happening before their eyes. So I'm just gonna say it's sad Taipan and Suffer broke up because those two bands meant a ton to me.
7. Best thing about playing Break The Ice?
It's hard to think of one best thing about playing it. The fact the festival is someone's baby that they're putting a lot of work into and that they want you to be a part of it is up there though. Organising shows can be mega stressful so the fact that someone is doing something of this scale and taking on all the responsibilities is a massive feat alone. And in the end it's the bands who luck out the most I reckon. I don't know if anyone would be coming because we're on the bill. So we're lucky we're there at all. It's a massive charity case having us on.
8. Advice for surviving the two days of Break The Ice?
Be an open book and absorb as much of it all as you can. Don't just watch bands you know. Sometimes a band who you thought wasn't your thing can change your opinion when you actually see them play etc. In saying that I do acknowledge that if you're paying to go to a show you can do whatever the hell you want and bands should be grateful people even turn up. Seeing as though you paid your money though I think you should milk it.
9. You can only dance to one part; the mosh part of Justice Replaced By Revenge or the intro of Bulldozed?
Can't decide.
10. Local band not to miss?
Starvation, Manhunt. All of them I'd say.
11. Favourite things to do while in Melbourne?
Seeing friends I miss who have moved there.
AGAINST (Answered by Chris - Bass)
1. Hometown?
Hometown is Rockhampton... unfortunately. But I haven't been back since I was born, so don't hold it against me!
2. Latest release and where to hear it?
Latest release was Bring The End, I think it came out a couple of months ago now. You can pick up a digital copy from the Bandcamp or steal it off a mate! Or from Midnight Funeral if you are after a hard copy.
3. Introduce the band and how it formed?
Well the band is Greg, Ash, Elmzy, Chris and myself... I can't really answer too much on how the band was formed because I was probably like two years old when Greg started it with a bunch of mates.
4. Any releases coming soon?
We have been talking about writing some new stuff the last month or so which I am really looking forward to, but nothing concrete yet.
5. Which international playing Break The Ice are you looking forward to the most?
Has to be a tie between Ringworm and Misery Signals, I used to jam Misery Signals a lot when Mirrors came out so it will be cool to see them finally. And Ringworm is Ringworm!!!
6. Reunions are a big part of hardcore nowadays, if one Australian band could reunite and play who would you pick?
If I had to pick one Australian band to reunite it would have to be Her Nightmare for sure.
7. Best thing about playing Break The Ice?
I think the best thing about playing Break The Ice is just having the chance to play somewhere else other than Brisbane. We don't play a heap of shows these days so it is really cool to play to a new crowd.
8. Advice for surviving the two days of Break The Ice?
I don't know if any advice I give you is worthwhile, but I remember last year so much dust and dirt getting kicked up from walking between the merch room and where the bands played and my hayfever annihilated me. So maybe keep that in mind. Oh and keep hydrated and do your stretches... There are a butt load of bands to mosh to!
9. You can only dance to one part; the mosh part of Justice Replaced By Revenge or the intro of Bulldozed?
If I had to pick one it would definitely be the Bulldozed intro!
10. Local band not to miss?
Local band not to miss... it's hard to just pick one. I would have to say Mood Swing from Sydney or Born Free from Melbourne. Both bands are absolutely killing it.
11. Favourite things to do while in Melbourne?
My favourite thing to do in Melbourne is eating at Gaylord's Indian Restaurant, actually just eating food in general. And going to Minotaur. That shop rules!
OUTRIGHT (Answered by Brad - Guitar)
1. Hometown?
Melbourne.
2. Latest release and where to hear it?
Our last release was a 7" titled 'Dedication', it can be heard here: http://outright-hc.bandcamp.com
3. Introduce the band and how it formed?
Brad - Guitar
Jelena - Vocals
Allan - Guitar
Brett - Bass
Josh - Drums.
I wasn't in the band when it formed but I know it came about during a conversation over dinner between our old guitarist Aaron and Jelena.
4. Any releases coming soon?
Absolutely, we've just wrapped up pre-production for our first full length and will begin tracking it in a couple of weeks with Joel Taylor at Three Phase Studios. Hoping to release it sometime mid 2014.
5. Which international playing Break The Ice are you looking forward to the most?
All of us are psyched on different bands, which is cool. Personally, I love Misery Signals so yeah, that's going to be mad.
6. Reunions are a big part of hardcore nowadays, if one Australian band could reunite and play who would you pick?
Jaws.
7. Best thing about playing Break The Ice?
The bands obviously, but having so many friends from all over Australia at the one show is awesome.
8. Advice for surviving the two days of Break The Ice?
Don't shit on other people's fun. Make some new friends, watch some new bands.
9. You can only dance to one part; the mosh part of Justice Replaced By Revenge or the intro of Bulldozed?
KSH KSH KSH KSH pls.
10. Local band not to miss?
Hard ass question. Shackles.
11. Favourite things to do while in Melbourne?
Drink coffee, hang out with my cat.
WARBRAIN (Answered by Josh - Guitar)
1. Hometown?
Melbourne.
2. Latest release and where to hear it?
"Void of Confusion" and you can buy it from iTunes or whatever.
3. Introduce the band and how it formed?
I play guitar, Kain plays bass, Tim plays guitar, Neil plays drums and Lloyd sings. We were all good mates and wanted to be in a band together. That's really all there is to it.
4. Any releases coming soon?
Yes, we are always releasing something soon.
5. Which international on Break The Ice are you looking forward to the most?
I'm looking forward to watching them all.
6. Reunions are a big part of hardcore nowadays, if one Australian band could reunite and play who would you pick?
Her Nightmare.
7. Best thing about playing Break The Ice?
Obviously chilling with every mate.
8. Advice for surviving the two days of Break The Ice?
Don't be a bitch. Drink some water, eat some food, then don't be a bitch again.
9. You can only dance to one part; the mosh part of Justice Replaced By Revenge or the intro of Bulldozed?
Sometimes I feel like stomping babies to Bulldozed.
10. Local band not to miss?
Born Free, Colossus.
11. Favourite things to do while in Melbourne?
Eat.
MINDSNARE (Answered by Nigel - Bass)
1. Hometown?
Melbourne, SE and Eastern suburbs and regionally up on a hill.
2. Latest release and where to hear it?
Split 7" with Ringworm on Resist/A389 Records but I have a feeling it's sold out. You can check out a track on our Facebook, chuck us a 'like' while you are there.
3. Introduce the band and how it formed?
Matt (Vox) started the band in '93 with friends and Beltsy (guitar) and I (Nigel - Bass) joined the following year. We had two guitars from '93-'96 and when Brad (founding member and played in Blood Duster, Within Blood, Samsara) decided to leave we went down to a single axe and have been ever since. There was about about 4 or 5 drummers in the 90's until Gordy joined in 2000 which has been the lineup for the last 14 years and will always be. Once someone is out then it'll be over.
4. Any releases coming soon?
We are doing a 7" this year, we already have more songs than we need which is a good position to be in for once. It's just a matter of getting around to recording it how we want to, in an ideal world we will be working with Jason at Goatsound and then on to Kurt at GodCity for mixing. That was how we did the Ringworm split tracks and I think that's the best we have ever sounded, all other recordings had something (sometimes a lot) lacking.
5. Which international on Break The Ice are you looking forward to the most?
Ringworm of course! We have done two tours with them, released a split 7" and have never consistently come across a better bunch of seppos than those guys. Killer band, solid back catalogue, can drink and the new album is their strongest release to date. That's how you debut on a Relapse!
6. Reunions are a big part of hardcore nowadays, if one Australian band could reunite and play who would you pick?
No care really, everything has a time and place. Not against reunions, have enjoyed them but fuck living in the past. We are now at a point where people feel so entitled that they shouldn't have to miss out on anything, fuck that. If you weren't there, not born, too young, geographically challenged or whatever... suck shit. Enjoy what's around you and happening currently.
7. Best thing about playing Break The Ice?
The line-up, seriously....
8. Advice for surviving the two days of Break The Ice?
Two days watching 20 or so bands? I would normally say earplugs but that place has a few good places to hang and get away from the noise if you need to... I'm gonna say cash for food. There was Beatbox kitchen last year as well as some food stalls but I hear the bar is being raised this year.
9. You can only dance to one Ringworm song, which one do you pick?
Leave Your Skin At The Door from the new one or The Promise.
10. Local band not to miss?
Seriously? There are so many good bands on this thing but lets go with Colossvs for local to Melbourne and Manhunt for local to Australia.
11. Favourite things to do while in Melbourne?
Residing. Favourite things to do while in Adelaide? Getting the fuck out.
ENDLESS HEIGHTS (Answered by Jem - Guitar)
1. Hometown?
Sydney, Australia.
2. Latest release and where to hear it?
‘New Bloom’ – our first LP which came out last November.
http://brokenhiverecords.bandcamp.com/album/new-bloom
3. Introduce the band and how it formed?
Five young friends from Sydney who met in school and have been making memories together since.
4. Any releases coming soon?
You’ll find something this year!
5. Which international playing Break The Ice are you looking forward to the most?
Foundation. Devotion.
6. Reunions are a big part of hardcore nowadays, if one Australian band could reunite and play who would you pick?
No Apologies who were from Sydney, Australia.
7. Best thing about playing Break The Ice?
Lots of awesome friends in one awesome place. Oli really puts on a huge event that lets us enjoy so many cool bands the way they should be. Like, it’s sick to see The Others with 30 other people in a small room but it is also very sick to jump off the stage with hundreds of other people getting mental. Joel texted me saying he is scared that this year’s will be the best weekend of 2014.
8. Advice for surviving the two days of Break The Ice?
Don’t let Oli catch you in the parking lot with a tinny.
9. You can only dance to one part; the mosh part of Justice Replaced By Revenge or the intro of Bulldozed?
Devotion.
10. Local band not to miss?
Born Free.
11. Favourite things to do while in Melbourne?
Eat anything I can’t eat back in Sydney, in the second (or maybe third) best city in Australia.
THE OTHERS (Answered by Ng - Guitar)
Hometown?
Perth, Western Australia. Home of the legendary EMU EXPORT.
Latest release and where to hear it?
We released an LP called "RED EYES" last year on SHAMAN RECORDS (run by myself and Geo) - listen to it at http://shamanrecords.bandcamp.com/album/red-eyes
Introduce the band and how it formed?
Moey is on the mic, Cornish and myself strummin' the strings and Junior Crowe slappin' da bass. We started out in 2008 jamming and recorded a demo in the same year. Since then we've put out a couple of EP's and an LP. A lot has changed since we started - we've seen a lot of faces come and go but we're still here. Moey still hates tomatoes though.
Any releases coming soon?
We hope to get a 7" out this year.
Which international on Break The Ice are you looking forward to the most?
Ringworm and Twitching Tongues.
Reunions are a big part of hardcore nowadays, if one Australian band could reunite and play who would you pick?
JAWS.
Best thing about playing Break The Ice?
Seeing heaps of sick bands and getting to hang out with all the East Coast mates (shout out to my yellow brothers).
Advice for surviving the two days of Break The Ice?
Get cash out, wear ear plugs, stretch at regular intervals, pit conservatively, drink heaps of water. Extra points for clearing your bowels before you get to the venue.
You can only dance to one part; the mosh part of Justice Replaced By Revenge or the intro of Bulldozed?
Bulldozed. Hands down.
Local band not to miss?
I'm pretty siked to see all of them but you don't wanna miss the DOWNSIDE.
Favourite things to do while in Melbourne?
Eat Huxtaburger, suss out the record stores, watch footy
DOWNSIDE (Answered by Ryan - Vocals)
Hometown?
Newcastle, NSW.
Latest release and where to hear it?
Our latest release is a split 7” we did with our brothers in Legions from Sydney. Check it out at the Death’s Grip Bandcamp http://deathsgrip.bandcamp.com/album/legions-downside-splitIntroduce the band and how it formed?
Downside consists of me (Ryan) on vocals, Sam on guitar, Daniel on second guitar, Charlie on bass and Brendan on drums. We were formed a couple years back in a small house in Argenton filled with smoke, beer and a bunch of instruments crammed into a tiny room. Sam and I had played in two bands together before, including the now infamous Crucial Dudes (not to be confused with the pop punk band of the same name) in the youth crew revival explosion of the early 00’s (we were 14) and a short-lived power violence band named Wasteland sometime during the Colohan worship era. Originally we had 10 songs written for Downside that kinda sounded like a shitty Tragedy, but eventually we shifted towards our current style of Blacklisted influenced riff worship. We’d all known each other for years prior to Downside starting so we just sort of jammed with a few different people until we found a full band, and after losing our original guitarist Matt so he could focus on his e-sports career we recruited Daniel to play second guitar for us.
Any releases coming soon?
We’re hitting the studio very soon to record a 5 song 7” due for release in the next few months. Keep an eye out for that.
Which international playing Break The Ice are you looking forward to the most?
This is a hard question because I’ve been a huge fan of Ringworm for a long time now, but I’m also really into Twitching Tongues. I’ll have to give a cop out answer and say it’s an equal tie.
Reunions are a big part of hardcore nowadays, if one Australian band could reunite and play who would you pick?
Life.Love.Regret. Being from Newcastle l was naturally put onto all Dolan related bands as a teenager getting into local hardcore, but this band was easily my favourite of the lot. Sick Of Goodbyes is one of the most crushing and emotionally charged records from an Australian band in my opinion, and as I was too young to see them when they were around I’d very much like to see it played through live in it’s entirety.
Best thing about playing Break The Ice?
Getting to hang with friends from around the country in an environment that is a testament to the ongoing community spirit of hardcore in the Australian scene. Around about the time the Newcastle scene dissolved into a bunch of weak beatdown and deathcore bands I kinda lost sight of that aspect of hardcore, but events like Break the Ice remind me why I became involved with music in the first place.
Advice for surviving the two days of Break The Ice?
Drink heaps of water, buy five Downside shirts, wear a helmet in the Ringworm pit and don’t drink Woodstock in the carpark… But do drink Woodstock with us after the shows so we can go to Bang afterwards and get weird on the dance floor.
You can only dance to one part; the mosh part of Justice Replaced By Revenge or the intro of Bulldozed?
What kind of sick fucking bastard question is this? I’ve already moshed to Bulldozed 100 times in glorious displays of teenage fury though, so personally I’d have to say Justice Replaced By Revenge, but preferably as far from other as possible cause I’m a fucking adult now and I can’t tell my boss that I lost my false front tooth in the pit to a band called Ringworm.
Local band not to miss?
Born Free!
Favourite things to do while in Melbourne?
Go to the Asian Beer Café, drink juice from that joint with all the oranges at the entrance, talk shit with Paul, look for pokies and hang out with my mates and the rest of the Melbourne crew.
IRON MIND (Answered by Neil - Guitar)
1. Hometown?
Melbourne.
2. Latest release and where to hear it?
We released our second full length album in January this year, you can pick up the self titled record at www.resistrecords.com.
3. Introduce the band and how it formed?
Sam sings, Dan plays bass, Josh is on the drums, and Dave and I play guitar. Started years ago, a couple changes to the line up and now we're here.
4. Any releases coming soon?
Well it was two years between our records, so maybe in another two years.
5. Which international playing Break The Ice are you looking forward to the most?
Ringworm.
6. Reunions are a big part of hardcore nowadays, if one Australian band could reunite and play who would you pick?
None. I've listened back to most bands I grew up on and none of them stand out. Current Australian bands are a lot better.
7. Best thing about playing Break The Ice?
Getting to play with a bunch of my friends, seeing a lot of cool new and old bands.
8. Advice for surviving the two days of Break The Ice?
Bring a lot of money for food, and bring a friend because you'll need something to sit on between bands.
9. You can only dance to one part; the mosh part of Justice Replaced By Revenge or the intro of Bulldozed?
Sorry I can't answer that, my back is wrecked so I can't pit, I'll bang my head to both.
10. Local band not to miss?
Colossus.
11. Favourite things to do while in Melbourne?
Swim and eat pizza.
LEGIONS (Answered by Josh - Vocals)
1.Hometown?
Sydney NSW.
2. Latest release and where to hear it?
Split 7" with Downside - http://deathsgrip.bandcamp.com/album/legions-downside-split
3. Introduce the band and how it formed?
Chris - Drums
Elliott - Guitar
Brandon - Bass
Zach - Guitar
Josh - Vocals
We started playing together when we were 16, wrote a demo and burnt a bunch of copies to CDs complete with Google images artwork and started playing shows around Sydney and NSW.
4. Any releases coming soon?
Yes.
5. Which international playing Break The Ice are you looking forward to the most?
Twitching Tongues and Ringworm. They will all be good but I'm most excited for the Australian bands.
6. Reunions are a big part of hardcore nowadays, if one Australian band could reunite and play who would you pick?
That's tough. Maybe No Apologies because they said they never would. Maybe Jaws. I know you want me to say No Second Chances but the last reunion was just so good that I don't need another one yet.
7. Best thing about playing Break The Ice?
Everybody from all sides of the country comes out for it so not only is the crowd bigger than your average show, but you're playing to people from every city at the same time. That doesn't happen often. It's cool seeing what sort of surprises the bands pull out for it too cause it's a special occasion so everyone feels like they've gotta step it up. I love seeing that shit.
8. Advice for surviving the two days of Break The Ice?
Drink some water and wear some deodorant for god's sake. Oli said he's got a demountable entertainment precinct attached to the venue this year with an international food hall in it so sample some soup dumplings and some rice paper rolls and keep yourself energised cause it's a long weekend. Steer clear of pacific seafood man.
9. You can only dance to one part; the mosh part of Justice Replaced By Revenge or the intro of Bulldozed?
"Ksh ksh ksh ksh" I guess. Don't hold me to that though, if someone catches me standing comfortably in the corner just nodding my head I don't want them to be like 'dude but you said you would mosh.' Off my fuckin back I've watched 3485 bands today, forgive me if I can't muster the strength right now.
10. Local band not to miss?
Manhunt. They sound like first degree murder and it's kind of terrifying.
11. Favourite things to do while in Melbourne?
Get melted into the astroturf at that rooftop bar place on Swanston Street with some sangria. Not really, that happened like one time. But I am happy to do it again.
I EXIST (Answered by Aaron - Guitar)
1. Hometown?
Canberra, Australia.
2. Latest release and where to hear it?
“From Darkness” is our latest album, its on 2xLP, CD and on the internet (iTunes, Spotify etc) through Resist…give it a suss!
3. Introduce the band and how it formed?
As a group, I Exist, I am Aaron, I play Guitar and yell sometimes, Jake sings, Sam and Josh both play guitar, Alex plays bass and also yells and Murph plays drums and all our intstruments better than us too.
4. Any releases coming soon?
"From Darkness” is our most recent effort, and we’ll stick to that for a little while, gotta write some more songs first!
5. Which international playing Break The Ice are you looking forward to the most?
Twitching Tongues, we had the pleasure of touring Europe with them last year and I can’t wait for Australia to see them play here this year. They are an amazing live band and it will be killer.
6. Reunions are a big part of hardcore nowadays, if one Australian band could reunite and play who would you pick?
Hard Luck. 3 members play in I Exist, they were the most exciting band to see back in the day and they have killer songs, plus they’re my mates and I love them.
7. Best thing about playing Break The Ice?
Getting to see a ton of great bands and playing a cool All Ages festival, which is something we don’t get to do very often!
8. Advice for surviving the two days of Break The Ice?
Keep up your fluids, don’t pit like a maniac the whole day – pace your pitting, eat something, wear deodorant – don’t be a gross loser, shower before and after the show, spend lots of time speaking to your friends so you don’t go insane from focusing so much on the pit and watch Twitching Tongues.
9. You can only dance to one part; the mosh part of Justice Replaced By Revenge or the intro of Bulldozed?
Bulldozed, Ringworm are a fantastic band, but c’mon now, don’t front. THE CHINA.
10. Local band not to miss?
All of them really! Don’t be a even bigger loser and just watch the bands from overseas, they came a long way to play, and that’s so awesome, but the bands from here bust their asses and are all great, so they deserve your attention, they will be working for it!
11. Favourite things to do while in Melbourne?
Um, I live here, so I guess live here? Sleep in my bed? Listen to Eyehategod? Drink? All of that. Mad.
BORN FREE (Answered by Akira – Bass and Joel - Drums)
1. Hometown?
Melbourne!
2. Latest release and where to hear it?
Akira: We released a track called 'Resent' which is going to be the opening track on our upcoming 7" a few weeks ago. That, along with our demo, can be found on our Bandcamp page (bornfreemhc.bandcamp.com), and it's also where you'll find the 7" when it's out!
3. Introduce the band and how it formed?
Joel: Nathan and I began playing around with the idea of starting a band that sounded like Breakdown, which has obviously changed a fair bit. It was myself and Nathan for a while, then Liam and Akira joined and after a few shows Mitch jumped on board.
4. Any releases coming soon?
Akira: Like I said before, we do have our very first 7" set to come out real soon. We just have to wait on a couple of things to be sorted out before you can all hear it.
5. Which international playing Break The Ice are you looking forward to the most?
Akira: I don't know about the rest of the band, but I'm particularly excited for Disgrace, Twitching Tongues and Foundation. All three of those bands have been favourites of mine for a long time.
Joel: Ringworm.
6. Reunions are a big part of hardcore nowadays, if one Australian band could reunite and play who would you pick?
Joel: I dunno, there's heaps of good bands that are doing plenty now, people need to remember that.
Akira: Torment.
7. Best thing about playing Break The Ice?
Akira: Knowing that I'm playing with some of my favourite bands in this country and the world is an awesome feeling!
8. Advice for surviving the two days of Break The Ice?
Akira: The other year I did This is Hardcore, which spanned across 4 days, and I was just about ready to die by the end of it. I think 2 days shouldn't be too bad for most people, just make sure you avoid BIGXRED in the Disgrace pit.
Joel: Don't be a sook.
9. You can only dance to one part; the mosh part of Justice Replaced By Revenge or the intro of Bulldozed?
Joel: That is the hardest question in the world, can't answer it.
10. Local band not to miss?
Akira: Don't miss any of them! But especially don't miss Downside!
Joel: Colossus.
11. Favourite things to do while in Melbourne?
Akira: Play WoW and Runescape.
Joel: Drink coffee, eat at Bimbos with Akira and Mitch Pinney and go to shows.
MANHUNT (Answered by Alix – Vocals)
1. Hometown?
Brisbane, Australia.
2. Latest release and where to hear it?
Our split 7" with Internal Rot will be out within a month, you can listen to the first track 'Entitled' at lethaldoserecords.bandcamp.com. Our 7", Human Detritus came out in November 2013 and you can stream for free at manhuntpunk.bandcamp.com
3. Introduce the band and how it formed?
Manhunt is best described as a powerviolence band from Brisbane with elements of punk, hardcore, grind, metal, etc. We are currently Jackson, Chris, Darcy, Moose, and myself, Alix. Jackson, Darcy and I started the band in 2012 because we talked about it on the internet then made it happen. It's been fun so far.
4. Any releases coming soon?
One track off the split 7" with Internal Rot from Melbourne is up on lethaldoserecords.bandcamp.com and the record will be out sometime in April I think. It is a split release between Lethal Dose (a record label I now help run with Moose), 625 Thrash from USA, and Psychocontrol from EUR.
5. Which international playing Break The Ice are you looking forward to the most?
Easily Foundation, I've waited for this band to hit our soil for years now.
6. Reunions are a big part of hardcore nowadays, if one Australian band could reunite and play who would you pick?
First band that comes to mind would easily be Ultimatum, doubt that'll ever happen though, haha. If I thought any further about it I'd be listing bands all day so let's stick with that.
7. Best thing about playing Break The Ice?
We haven't played anything like this yet, so I'm really looking forward to playing something different, new people checking us out, seeing all the great bands we are sharing a stage with, and maybe Oli will buy ME a jam donut this time.
8. Advice for surviving the two days of Break The Ice?
Keep up your fluids and remember your protective gear.
9. You can only dance to one part; the mosh part of Justice Replaced By Revenge or the intro of Bulldozed?
Bulldozed is just for headbangs, Justice Replaced by Revenge is easier to dance to, but we all know that The Promise is a better record anyway soooo...
10. Local band not to miss?
Colossus, better each time I see them.
11. Favourite things to do while in Melbourne?
I always like to think I'll see my family but I never get around to it. Eating is always fun but let's face it, I like doing that anywhere. Seeing Moose's family and all the mates is great, and can't beat a soy chai latte and shopping on chapel street wow~~
