DEFIANT GROUND are a new band out of the Gold Coast who have just released their demo through Set The Fire Records. 

We caught up with guitarist Trav for a chat...

At what point did the band form and how did it all come together?

I’d moved back to the Goldie after living in Berlin and was keen to get something started. Put the feelers out thru Facebook, found our original drummer and bassist. Then thru them met Benny (vocals). We chipped away for a while with that lineup. For various reason the drummer and bassist left. Then we got Ed on bass who I had previously jammed with and then we got Alik on drums recently.

Basically the last 6 months the band taken a turn for the better, with everyone all having similar goals and driven.

Would readers recognize the members from any other bands?

I’d played in lostboyfound years ago, Benny plays in a mid west emo band called We Fly South, Ed’s played in a million different bands from the UK to Oz, Alik also plays in Lactoccocus.

In your own words how would you describe the sound of Defiant Ground?

We‘re a Hardcore punk band with fast bits, breakdowns and 2-step.

What bands are influencing the sound of Defiant Ground?

Collectively we can all agree on Comeback Kid. Then it goes all over the spectrum, Rage, Suicidal, Minor Threat, RL Burnisde, The Doors,Jimi, Robert Johnson. We are pretty random when it comes to music.

But for me Mindsnare and Mid Youth Crisis are my biggest influences.

What would be a dream line up of bands to play with?

Mindsnare, Comeback Kid, Speed straight up.

You recently joined Set The Fire Records for an upcoming release of your demo. How did the partnership come about?

Was basically a random email I sent Brenno seeing if he could help us out with some shows in Adelaide. Then it sort of snowballed from there. Nothing but love and respect to Brenno and the way he runs STF.

Lyrically what are some of the songs about on the demo?

They are all based on real life experiences, the trial and tribulations that we all go through, but they are always hope filled.

Got a fave track on the demo, why that one?

Her Design. Musically wise it covers all my favorite bits from the bands we love. Lyrically it was based on first hand experiences of family and friends that had experienced sexual assault, predatory behavior and the strength that these victims have inside them to push forward and show how strong they actually are.

What else is in store in the foreseeable future for your band?

STF will release our 4 track demo tape on the 21st of June so jump online and grab one. We are touring up and down the east coast for the remainder of the year and also a sneaky weekender in Adelaide.

Back in the studio in November to record our album.

How can people get in touch, check out the release or keep up with what’s happening in the band?

Suss the STF page for the demo and we are also all over the other streaming services.

Check us out on insta here.