Sunday Never Came Again

"sunday never came again"

the warmest summers roll into the coldest winters
the longest days turn into the shortest nights
none of us are getting everything from our lives
there's always a regret, a loss, a cross to bare
heavy hangs the head full of words they never said
which brings a method to our madness
offers hope to those that have none
thoughts swim in this deep blue sea
that fills my head with hopes and dreams
for so long i've been too scared to swim
explore possibility and embrace the end
but so much has made me break, and i never bend
only to go through these days, hoping they might end
in happiness, in the warmth of that place
that place is where i once knew myself
but lost control of all i'd ever hold
love is timeless, possessions fade
and we hold on tight to decisions made
for what we decide is what seals our fate
not just our own but the ones we love
for our lives are magnetic, weather we like it or not
we constantly look at eachother, what we have and haven't got
consuming the thought of what could still have been
is where and who you are, and all inbetween
for these days i regret, these days keep me
because this time last year, my heart was still free...

The Herd

"the herd"

take me away from this messy place
where everything has become such a disgrace
the lies, the schemes, the evil things
that are willing to take what they can from me

with no morality, no remorse
they'll take for their own, no matter the cost
no matter the means, that meets the end
i see nothing but enemies, there are no friends

the age of distrust, as friends rust
crumble, and rot away becoming nothing but dust
we recycle our souls and it's growing old
who are we meant to be? i will never be told..

this is no short story, there's no happy ending
just chapters of heartbreak and delusions of grander
no hinting our purpose, no fighting our fate
but we do nothing to be sure that this life's great

so sit and stare whilst you just fade away
into the depressing reality of urban decay
raping young minds to disintegrate souls
one generation after another it will take its toll

wrapped in cotton wool with no room to grow
a world at fingertips with no reason to cope
the world's so small that there's nothing to hold
how can we let once strong minds go cold?

precautions, prevention, divine intervention
and too many theories than we could mention
of how it began and when it could end
but with every thought comes another trend

another reason to neglect
and become another sheep
that herds for a shepherd that doesn't exist
and considers this wasteland some kind of a gift

Untitled

"untitled"

work so hard, for yourself, for someone else
but minds change and choose to blame
count your losses, because wins are few
and the greater number gives me something to do
because i write these words, so full of regret
not for a lack of trying, but an overwhelming respect
i've fought my demons, that look just like you
and thought long and hard about what i can do
keep on running or stand to fight
defeat myself, and everything else
in hopes we might see a brighter day
but that day won't come, not today
not ever it seems, for i fight for nothing
there's no reason to have hope and dream
no excuses for draining the life right out of me
although i've learned so much about self-reliance
you're giving me thoughts that are ill-assured
you've known my intentions, my only goal
to look you in the eyes without fear taking hold
you to shared the same hopes and dreams
but now i sit, and count my losses
just so you can sleep and night
and just so i can go through another day
knowing i only tried to do what's right
and kiss every memory i have goodbye
because i see no point, there are no answers
now i know those days you promised me
will never come, and never existed
because once again i've gone through hell
just for the sake of someone else
and you know i'll see another day
but this isn't fair, but it's real
forever consume these lines
and haunt every dream
because you know that timeless phrase
is what will kill me every time
"i hope you understand."

Sit And Wonder

'sit and wonder'

i sit and wonder what's outside these walls
a better life? some kind of future?
something set in stone?
in this room i wade in sand
nothing is stable, nothing to hold

i sit and wonder what's outside these walls
a better life? some kind of future?
something set in stone?
it's always easier to walk away
than stand your ground, make your own way

i sit and wonder what's outside these walls
a better life? some kind of future?
something set in stone?
we spend forever looking for answers
there's so many lessons we have to learn

i sit and wonder what's outside these walls
a better life? some kind of future?
something set in stone?
i'm told stories of 'endless possibility'
but all i know is boundaries

i sit and wonder what's outside these walls
a better life? some kind of future?
something set in stone?
i see what this is, where we're heading
and i want no part of it

i'll never know what's outside these walls
i see no hope, i'm too scared to dream.
what is left for me?
i trust no one, believe in nothing
low is the heart of the modern day teen

MOVEMBER - please help out!

so i did it, i fucking shaved!!! first time in about 2.5 - 3 years i have been cleanly shaven but it's for an awesome cause....

details below pictures gang!!!

BEFORE!!!!




AFTER!!!





DETAILS ON DONATIONS!!!

During Movember (the month formerly known as November) I'm growing a Mo. That's right I'm bringing the Mo back because I'm passionate about tackling men's health issues and being proactive in the fight against men's depression and prostate cancer.

To donate to my Mo you can either:

Click this link https://www.movember.com/au/donate/donate-details.php?action=sponsorlink&rego=1761481&country=au and donate online using your credit card or PayPal account, or
Write a cheque payable to ‘Movember Foundation', referencing my Registration Number 1761481 and mailing it to:
Movember Foundation
PO Box 292
Prahran VIC 3181

Remember, all donations over $2 are tax deductible.

The money raised by Movember is used to raise awareness of men's health issues and donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and beyondblue - the national depression initiative. The PCFA and beyondblue will use the funds to fund research and increase support networks for those men who suffer from prostate cancer and depression.

Did you know:

Depression affects 1 in 6 men....most don't seek help. Untreated depression is a leading risk factor for suicide.
Last year in Australia 18,700 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than 2,900 died of prostate cancer - equivalent to the number of women who will die from breast cancer annually.
For those that have supported Movember in previous years you can be very proud of the impact it has had and can check out the details at: [ Fundraising Outcomes ].

Movember culminates at the end of month Gala Partés. If you would like to be part of this great night you'll need to purchase a [ Gala Parté Ticket ].

Thanks for your support Stuart.

More information is available at http://www.movember.com/.



Movember is proudly grown by Holden and Schick.

Movember is proud partners with the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and beyondblue - the national depression initiative.

Half-lived Lives And The Honest Truth

“Half-lived Lives And The Honest Truth”

I’ve worked through much in this half-life time,

So many lessons I’ve had to learn,

Hate enough to hold on,

Love enough to let go,

Care enough not to let your feelings show

For so long I’ve had to bite my tongue,

I bite it hard until it bleeds,

The taste of my regrets fills my mouth,

All of the experiences I’ve had,

Are just lines to divide this long road

Where does this leave me now?

Where do I turn?

Where can I go from here?

I’ve grown to hate everything I loved

And embrace my greatest fears

I try to write, and nothing flows

It’s the only way I let things go

I try to hope, but nothing grows

This is the only thing I’ve come to know

Sharpened corners and deadened ends

Is life meant to be for the discontent?

Where we are judged on what we choose to vent,

Everyone wants to teach, but no one’s wants to learn,

We’re measured by scars and what we own,

But we’re all fucked and have nothing to show...

Set Sail

My pal from the states asked me to draw her a picture today as she was feeling fucked up. She is into a different lifestyle to me, so I drew this for her.

Concrete Boots

"concrete boots"

my feet buried deeply in this sand
i can't move unless eroded
taken apart and washed away
only to sink to an untimely death
because there's no time like the present
to tell you i am through with how it is
i am lost in 'how it should be'
and 'how i wish it was'
lacking life
lacking love
lacking life
lacking love
i thought i was in concrete
holding tight to my two feet
but what is life without movement?
and how can we grow without change?
i remember how i got here
compelled by more than few
to be tested time and time again
this sinking feeling's nothing new
always told to understand
never to comprehend
through with misconception
i hate everything you are
everything that you want to be
and what you lead me to believe
letting yourself just drift away
no explanations, no goodbyes
to wash up on a beach with all the corpses
that decided to give up on themselves
and wash away from the ones they love

DESTROY!

listening to TRASH TALK inspired the following....

Interview with Mitch LOVE not WAR

Over the last 5 or so years i have been going to shows in Brisbane/surrounding areas, there has been an infamous/ominous figure that has stirred many a pot, moshed many a kid, and who's willingness to stand up for his own convictions has captivated me. That figure is Mitch Love aka Mitch War. For some time now I have wanted to pick his brains, and I finally have. This is probably my favourite interview i have done to date... enjoy this.

i'm going to start with a pretty broad question. what inspires you?


what inspires me, in my life i have a very broad scene in what i do each day. my inspiration differs from what i am doing at that point in my life, day, month, year. on an average day my inspiration is drawn from other artists and people who work around me. i tattoo so i am constantly drawing inspiration for my work from fellow tattooers and artists in general. when i am doing stuff with my band, lyrics or writing wise, i draw inspiration from 2 different sources. things that piss me off and agitate me in this world. and things that drew me to the hardcore scene, brotherhood, loyalty and family. it all depends on what mood i am in at the time to which path i take my lyrics in. lately it is a lot of anger and hatred towards things in this world.


you've had the edge for some time now, and it's something you have always been outspoken about since i've known you and long before, no doubt. what does being straight edge mean to you?

being straight edge to me is my conviction, it is my crutch against a world i a lot of the time want nothing to do with. it is my way to dodge and duck out of holes i dont want to get myself into. when the world is peering down on me with its scummy hands, i look down at the half lasered x's on my hands and thank the people around me that i found out what these x's mean. they got me here. they helped paved the conviction and loyalty i have in my heart and mind in this day and age. and that will never change. straight edge taught me loyalty and commitment to my word. once i said i was straight edge that was it, there was no looking back because for me to look back would be to take me down a path i never want to travel.


what lead to your decision to take up the commitment you're most passionate about?

i was smoking a lot of weed and was in a community where drugs were what you did. you finished school on a friday afternoon and planned the party for that night. i always acted like i was into it but never really was. i was already a young fat kid who was cast out by that time anyway, so for me to drink and do drugs was my way of saying " look i can be cool like you" until one day watching barrels go by stoned out of my mind i thought fuck this and never looked back. it took me a year of being clean and not drinking or doing anything until i thought fuck you people, this is what i am , this is who i want to be, if you dont like it turn your back on me, i am better off with out you. that point in my life was when i realised i had a back bone. that very point was my fuck you to the mainstreem of what we are fed down our throats everyday. i felt free from the bullshit i didnt need and have never ever looked back from that very point.


a lot of people have come and go, and so much has changed since the first coming of THE WAR, what has changed for the band, lyrically, musically etc..?

the direction of the band has changed a lot. when we started it was nothing serious it was me basicly writing people off with a microphone and everyone kinda laughed at it. until we started to actually get a following through our more serious songs like" puff puff you're dead" and what not. it came to a point for me and simmo where we thought we are actually getting people into straight edge and hardcore it is time to take this chance by the throat. i have like you said always been outspoken about what i believe so i started putting pen to paper with more serious lyrics then just your average burn everyone songs. i thought to myself if these kids are going to look up to me as someone they want to be like then i am going to write stuff i feel proud of myself. so hence i started writing things that in this day an age effect my everyday life and the way i think. i also wanted to give kids a band they could sing along to with big black x's on their hands, so thats where songs like "defend your honour" and "the war" came from.


what made you want to start the band again?

it was just like i said in the question before, i saw that we had an oppurtunity to be the voice of young straight edge and hardcore kids so we took up the band again and started pushing it with both morals, and backbone. we wanted to make it something edge and hardcore kids were proud of.

i have to admit, when i heard THE WAR was back again, i wasn't at all fussed, and when i heard of the signing to SEVENTH DAGGER RECORDS i was even less enthused. but after listening to what you're saying these days, talking to you personally and others in the band i can appreciate where you guys are coming from. that, and the new shit's fucking killer... do you think THE WAR has been largely misunderstood by a lot of people?

yes we have been largely misunderstood from the start, but we bought that on ourseleves. it was me singing kill an emo kid and what not so i can to take that bullshit on my shoulders. but in saying that it doesnt take much to read the lyrics from the start to the lyrics now and you will see a dramatic change. people in hardcore are ignorant, they dont want to hear what true hardcore bands have to say, they want to see cool dudes on stage telling them there is a massive breakdown coming and to cause blood or some shit. we write aggressive music for you to take out you tension and stress to. i want kids grabbing me by the throat screaming straight edge back at me as hard as they can, thatlone makes me never want to give up this band because i know that kid has been listening to our cd at home reading the lyrics and liking what we are doing.

i know there's been a bit of chit-chat lately about some shit that went down with another 'infamous' brisbane straight edger... the situation itself i don't particularly want to touch on, but there's been a massive shift in straight edge it seems, something that swept through brisbane a couple of years ago and it's back again. everyone wants to be 'in', everyone seems to need to paste some image of themselves to this life-choice we've made. do you think facits of straight edge have slipped into 'what's marketable' rather than 'what's best for your own well being'?

once again this stuff is something that does hit home with me. i have spent years trying to build a platform for kids to feel proud about themseleves, and now once again it is all being dragged through the mud. when i hear stuff come from mouths like " there is no market for straight edge hardcore in australia" it makes me want to rip out throats. you can not possibly stand on stage and say you are giving your all to this when you change direction of your band so you can get big or make money off it. kids are forgetting that it is ok not to wear a straight edge shirt to a show, its ok not to x your hands for one show. but at the same time if you want to do it then fucking do it! it pisses me off that we are always the ones cast out and being talked shit on when we are the ones still here, we are the ones those bands and band members were singing along to before their bands started. give up your bullshit egos and get behind hardcore with heart. jealousy is a fucking bitch. its not my fault simmo can write a faster riff and your band trys to steal it but plays it slower and worse, in your face haha.

what advice would you give to any kids that are feeling a little lost/getting caught up in images rather than thought processes, edge related or otherwise?

take a step back. and sit on your bed and listen. take out cds from bands that have influenced you to get into hardcore. take off your bands shirt and get back to the basics of what hardcore is about, passion, family and love for the message. i remember when bands around here didnt even have band shirts and i was writing against on plain black shirts because i loved the band. we are all way to caught up in the next new cool shirt coming from the next touring band than actually reading and hearing what there about first. they might be singing about how they fucked your mum, just because it sounds cool, doesnt always make it cool.


what are plans for the band in the future? any big tours/travel plans? another record? i know you guys just released a 7"...

umm we are writing at the moment for a ep release on seventh dagger records. we are just trying to step it up harder and harder each time. i am trying to write lyrics that hit you smack in the face and you think fuck did he actaully write that. other than that we are taking some time off to relax and write the ep. we have some shows end of november with antagonist ad but other than that not much. plans for america and europe are always on the go.

the UNTOUCHABLES is something else that has changed a lot since i first heard of it after you lil al, simmo and meatdog not being able to land girlfriends and embraced it. there's a lot of you guys these days and i know you've all been dating. what is the xUSEx all about? how did it all come about? it's a crew?

from the start it was a brotherhood and it always will be a brotherhood, its something all of us understand and thats all that needs to be said.

i know nothing about this side of life, so i only ask being i'm totally clueless... and i know a lot of other people are also, what's the difference between crews and gangs?

i think a gang is more orgaised crime kinda stuff, a crew to me is more like a brotherhood, if you are in financial trouble, emotional trouble or anything like that your crew is there for you. just because you are proud to say your in a brotherhood doesnt always mean your violent or want to start trouble. for us its the exact opposite.

another big part of your life is tattooing, weather it's covering yourself head to toe or inking others. what made you want to become a tattooist? i had no idea you were artistic....

ha yeah i want to be covered from head to toe and am getting pretty close to it ha. i saw a tattoo magazine when i was around 16 and thought thats what i want to look like. i got my first tattoo at 17 and thought this is what i wanna do. i have been getting tattooed off link for years and years now and showed him some drawings, he kinda felt sorry for me i think and offered me a job haha.



who are some of the artists out there you look up to artistically and why?

i look up to my boss's link and tim a lot. they have both done hard time to get to where they are now. i see link working 7 days a week and everyday just pullin gout stuff i dont know where it comes from. every chance i have i am watching him tattooing thinking how are you doing it, the whole time he is writing me off and telling me to piss off but i always watch haha. tim on the other hand has come from being an apprentice to being an awesome tattooer, he has put in the hard yards and it is now paying off for him. thats what i want to be like. i dont want it to be handed to me i want to have to work for it. other artists i look up to a sailor jerry, uncle allan, rachi, derek noble, filip leu, shige, chris detmer and so on, there is so many artists i like its not even funny.


if people wanna get in touch to get tattooed, how would they go about doing it?

the best way is to come into the store at taringa, i work every day but tuesday wednesday at all star tattoo in taringa.

thanks a million for doing this interview man, i really appreciate it. do you have any last words, plugs etc?

check out third strike, relentless and no love lost. all legit australian hardcore bands that are so good its not even funny. listen to earth crisis and embrace the beauty hahah other than that be yourself and if you want to talk to me come see me at a show. i may look angry and am a lot of the time but i am always here if needed. USEXXX

Days

"Days"

It's hard to know the last time I saw days like these,
Something to wake up to, Something to smile about,
It feels like forever but I'm glad it's back again,
What does this hold? I can't wait to know...

I CAN'T WAIT TO KNOW.

The Sound

I've gone next level. Two days ago I got tattooed by my mate Stooks from Perth, who is over in Brisbane at the moment tattooing. This tattoo resprents so much to me, my love for music, my fears of everything but, my love for Sinking Ships and that I want the reasons why I love/fear/whatever all of those things and want there to be a constant reminder for myself.

If you have never heard of Sinking Ships, I reccomend you check them out, everything they have done is amazing I think. Especially "Meridian" inparticular. The following is where the words on this tattoo come from.

SINKING SHIPS "the sound"

They’re fading fast, all of the memories.
Tell me what the fuck is wrong with me.
I can’t remember because it hurts too much to remember.
I shut myself off. I shut it out. I disappeared.
I couldn’t get out of this self-destruction.
Hating myself and anyone that came near me.
I can’t remember. I don’t want to face where I’ve been.
Now I’m facing the cost ‘cause I was dead to everything.
Afraid of the image staring back at me.
By the horror on your face I knew I’d hate what I’d fucking see.
Blinded by the pain, I let the years slip through my hands.
Just bury me in the sound.
Sink or swim, I’ll just fucking drown.
And I can’t remember. I don’t want to face where I’ve been.
Now I’m facing the cost ‘cause I was dead to everything.
I should have known t hat one day I’d have to face myself.
I’d have to wake up from this.
Face the damage I caused and the things that I missed.
Just turn it up. Let the sound bury my fears.
Let it carry us on to places far from here.

It Is, What It Is

It is, What it is
Is what she always says
"Your reactions over-compensate your fear"
"Do you think that's good enough?"

What should I be feeling?
What should my reactions be?
Do I turn and walk away?
Or do I stand my ground reluctantly?

I've never taken a chance like this
I've never fought a fight
I've never been this scared before
I've never seen the light

"People lose their objectivity"
Why can't we all just see the same
"Too many differences in opinon"
Too many things to pass the blame

Why am I so pessimistic?
How did I come to be the cynic?
What it is has me retreating
It is what I've become

I've become more than just reclusive
I see things through decaying eyes
Becoming more and more short-sighted
Because I believe that I should fear

The time has passed where I should stand
Speak my mind and justify my actions
Don't let the conflicts in life affect me
I must make good on my mistakes

i got a macbook

photobooth is sicko!

Just Like Old Times

This picture makes me eternally happy. It's of me singing along to AGAINST, a band from Brisbane, my home town. If it wasn't for Greg (the other guy in this photo) and his band, I would never have started going to shows, and never would have fallen in love with this wonderful thing called Hardcore. I often wonder what life would be like if I had never talked to Greg at JB HIFI once, and him suggesting I come along to shows and check the scene out.

It's been about 5 years since the first time I saw AGAINST, since the day I started doing bands, playing shows with them has been the number 1 thing of things to achieve. A few weekends ago I finally got that chance, the same show as this photo was taken. I can't explain how awesome it was to play 3 shows in a row with these guys.

It was just like old times.

Everything That Was, Will Never Be Again

With every day moving forward, with every conversation and realising we're growing apart. I will never feel anything close to what I used to feel, I wrote this feeling like I was on my knees. I've been on my knees for months now... It's not going away, It's not getting easier. They said writing about it would help me cope, they said I'll start looking for something else. They were all so wrong... what's left of me is taking forever to heal, or feel anything apart from hopelessness. It's not easilly distracted, it's not a void that can just be filled.

“Everything That Was, Will Never Be Again”

No more terms of endearment
No more glowing hellos
No more long goodbyes
No more blissful memories
No more good times
No more conversations
No more reminiscing

No more mutual feelings
No more same mistakes
No more raising voices
No more tear-filled times
No more breaking down
No more looking forward
No more holding back

No more bright futures
No more feeling extremes
No more positivity
No more hopes and dreams
No more pretty things
No more fidelity
No more empathy

No.

More.

Love.

No more time for each other
No more hanging out
No more hearts on sleeves
No more feeling free
No more honesty
No more listening
No more sympathy

No more ‘it’s so easy’
No more happiness
No more good night’s sleep
No more bonds between
No more looking out
No more looking in
No more anything

No more wondering why
No more reasons to try
No more wanting more
No more what we ‘are’
No more ‘what we can be’
No more you
No more me

No.

More.

Us.

Interview with MINDSET

Okay, so I was cruising the mighty MySpace one day and stumbled accross one of my newer favourite bands by the name of MINDSET from Maryland in the US. I hit them up to do an interview because basicly, I believe more kids in Australia need to know who they are. Their singer, Evan, was kind enough to take afew seconds to do this interview for me and I am really greatful.

This band is about to do big things, and honestly. Which for me is the most important thing. Enjoy it...

Mindset

So, you’re from Maryland, where is that exactly?

Maryland is on the east coast of the United States of America, right at the line that once separated the north and south, and it basically surrounds Washington, DC. Maryland is the birthplace of Edgar Allen Poe, David Hasslehoff, Tyrone "Muggsy" Bouges, Babe Ruth, and Montel Williams. The official state sport is jousting. Maryland bands you should check out are Brick, Coke Bust, Bad Habit, Blind the Thief, Wild and Crazy Kids, Control, Trapped Under Ice, Ruiner, Pulling Teeth, Lion of Judah (DC), Police & Thieves (DC) and Reignition (close enough.)

I know this is typical, but not many kids from Australia are lucky enough to have heard Mindset yet. How did things come about? What’s the story?

The band you now know as MINDSET started out sometime in 2006 as Anti-Wasteoids. Only one member remains from the original line-up that recorded the 'Heck Yes!' EP, that member being our guitarist/ songwriter Mike. After a few initial growing pains, a revolving door of members and much discussion, the MINDSET record was written and recorded by The Anti-Wasteoids with Mike on guitar, Phil on drums, original member Josh on bass and myself on vocals. Eventually Josh left the band to pursue a glamourous tattooing career and our long time friend Chad took over on bass. During this transition we decided to change our name to MINDSET. The summer of 2008 brought in the legendary Chris Bavaria on bass, allowing Chad to move to second guitar. We are currently a five piece straightedge hardcore band.

‘Anti-wasteoids’ has been on a constant rotation for me lately, this record got me enthusiastic about straight edge hardcore again. Are you guys siked on the response you’re getting?

I am siked on making music and making friends. We've been getting a pretty good response lately, and we hope to keep the momentum going with future releases. Knowing that there are people like yourself who appreciate the effort and emotion we put into our music makes it all seem worthwhile. If one kid takes the time to listen to and think about the things I have to say, I feel that this band has been a success. We love punk, we love hardcore, we love the straight edge.

What’s it like to be a straight edge kid in Maryland? There seems to be real community vibes between kids that we don’t really get here, I could be wrong?

Maryland straight edge is awesome. You are not wrong.

MINDSET live: Aussie kids, take notes?

A lot of the lyrics on ‘Anti-wasteoids’ are pretty aggressive. Is there a pretty close-minded attitude towards the edge over your way? I guess aggression might be too stronger word? Probably frustration? Just songs such as 'the troof' from the demo, 'self-respect is my anti-drug', 'tradition dies here'.. it's what lead me to the questions about the maryland scene. I think its cool that you guys don't write with an overwhealming 'posi' atmosphere. More one of 'listen up, this is how i fucking feel!'

MINDSET is an emotional outlet for my frustrations, so naturally my lyrics may come off as aggressive. To me, hardcore is about anger and discontent, but not anger and discontent as an end in themselves. Rather, I see anger and discontent as a catalyst for change and progress, for personal and social growth. I don't feel it's worth mine or anyone else's time for me get on stage and complain about how terrible things are without providing some sort of solution. The world is an incredibly beautiful place, but is often tarnished by ugliness. Hate, greed, ignorance, self-destruction... I've had people come up to me after a set and ask me why I'm so angry; my question to them is why they aren't. We all have a small (some smaller than others) piece of us that is frustrated with the world around us, I'm lucky enough to get the chance to release that part of myself in an environment where people might listen. This is how I feel, I can't comment on the rest of the Maryland scene. I will, however, say that there is generally unity between those who are straightedge and those who are not. 'The Troof' is about a situation where the respect we normally experience within the scene was absent, although this didn't happen in Maryland. 'Self-Respect' is about being generalized and labeled by a society who either doesn't understand where I'm coming from and what I beleive or doesn't seem to care enough to try to understand. 'Tradition Dies Here' is about stepping outside the context in which we exist and the roles we're assigned and examining life from an objective perspective. I think your critique of our atmosphere is pretty accurate.

Everyone has a life outside HC man, tell me what you’re about, any hobbies? Pottery? Arts and crafts?

It's hard to separate my Hardcore life and my non-Hardcore life, because Hardcore is really important to me. My best friends are in my band, I met my girlfriend at a show, and I love to listen to records. My fucking dog is named Swiz! I went to school to study Architecture and it's a big interest/ hobby of mine, I now do that to pay rent. Right now I'm straying from the career path to focus on the band and my youth, but I'll eventually go to graduate school and pursue being a liscenced Architect. I like building things, I love drawing... so pretty much all my hobbies consist of arts and crafts in one way or another.

There’s no doubt in my mind that you have seen a bazillion great shows being from the states. What’s your fondest memory so far for you as an individual?

Wow... I saw Gorilla Biscuits in Baltimore a few years ago. I did a backflip off the monitor as the crowd parted beneath me, landing on my head as opposed to everyone elses. I remember pretty vividly crawling through the crowd disorented and confused and then sitting on some dudes shoes because that was the only place to sit. I think I missed two songs because of that. I also saw Government Issue in DC, which was incredible. At that show i stepped on a gnarly piece of a broken beer bottle and it pierced my shoe and my foot, and I bled all over the floor on the side of the stage. Reunions and personal injury always make for a good night.

It's OK, really...

How about as a band? Played any amazing line ups? A classic story?

Any show we play with The First Step is automatically a great show, and I think a lot of it has to do with getting to see The First Step for free. Those guys are an incredible band and even greater friends, and I always have fun with them. We're lucky enough to have toured with them a few times, so most of my memories with them are within the time spent between shows. We did a weekend with them through the Midwest in March of 2008(the end of winter up here) and we did it in our busted van. I remember it being unseasonally cold and our van doesn't have heat, and we had ten dudes crammed into the van with two bands worth of equiptment and all their merch, spooning and covered in blankets trying to keep warm as we drove from Detroit to Chicago. Aaron TFS kept kicking everyone and I ended up falling asleep with his shoe on my face. We were all pretty miserable at the time but it stands today as one of my fondest memories... the shows we've played with them in Baltimore, Maryland (twice, with Get the Most, Coke Bust, Pulling Teeth, Vitamin X, and Time to Escape) have been the best shows. Those dudes know how to have a good time. We played with Agnostic Front once and I remember Vinnie Stigma pointing and yelling at our drummer Phil during their set instead of playing guitar. Wild stuff.

You guys are bestowed with the honour of playing the last TFS show, what’s it like to know you’ll be giving them a send off?

It's an honor. TFS has been a HUGE inspiration to us, and we're beyond stoked to play their last show. I know it won't be the last time I get to hang out with them, but it could be the last time I see them play and they're my favorite band to see live. Those guys are, without question, the most sincere people in hardcore. I'm lucky to be able to call them my friends.

TFS have been an influential part of a lot of kids lives throughout this era of hardcore, what’s something that’s inspired you? Whether it be about the Edge, hardcore or in general...

Wow. I would say that one of the most inspiring things about The First Step is that they genuinely believe in what they're doing, without hesitation. They live and breath their music and lyrics, there's no posturing of half-heartedness. They're the real deal. I think the greatest thing about TFS is that they don't separate what they do as a band or within hardcore from how they live their lives. I feel like they put as much thought and passion into buying groceries and paying taxes as they do their live set. They've been a huge inspiration to me as a person and to MINDSET as a band. I'll leave it at that, because I could go all day. Solid dudes.
Mindset has joined the REACT! Roster, you guys must be pretty siked. That label is making some waves early. What’s next for you guys?

REACT! is awesome, Aram is awesome. We're stoked to be able to be apart of it. We've wanted to be a part of it since we first heard about the label, before we had really gotten to know Aram or The First Step, and we were beyond siked when he asked us if we wanted to do a project together. We just finished recording our first 7" EP, which is being mixed as I type this. That includes two tracks from the demo and two new songs. It should be out in October, so keep an eye out for that. We're now writing an LP which will be on REACT! as well. The future is an exciting place.

That’s about all I’ve got, so any shameless plugs or words of wisdom?

REAL POWER.

Like a Runt

This one's pretty personal. It's a lyric concept more than a poem.

“Like a Runt”

You are the reasons,
You are why I don’t sleep at night.
You are the reasons,
You are why I hate myself.

Embarrass me,
Torture me.
Do whatever it takes,
To set you free

Whatever makes you feel something?
Some sense of self.
Preach honour,
Preach pride.

I live my life
Like a dog with its tail between its legs
Always looking to turn and run,
Knowing that I'm just a runt.

Does it make you feel better to see me suffer?
Are you aware of what you’ve done?
Make me feel guilty,
Make me feel like hell.

You may never look at me the same,
And I’m ashamed of what I’ve done,
But it doesn’t make me feel any worse,
I want to know what made you this way.

Every minute til my dying day,
I’ll resent myself in every possible way,
Prop me up, to tear me down,
You love to loosen my grip and watch me fall.

Does it make you feel better?
Knowing that you hate your blood?
You’ve crushed my soul
And now it rots inside.

The Jar

I've been thinking lately about a lot of things.. there's been somethign that's come into my mind again and it's really eating away at me. I guess this is the only way I felt comfortable writing about it in the most abstract way I could, the theme of the story is pretty obvious but for some reason I feel like it's somehow disguised?

“The Jar”

I’m captivated by this Jar,
I want to know what’s inside.
There is no label, no clues at all,
Will I like what’s in there after all?

It’s a lovely shape,
And made of the finest glass.
I should have hung onto it,
When I had the chance

I wonder what’s inside it now.
I can only wonder what it is,
It probably amazing,
Like nothing in this world

I can only hope what’s in there’s good for me,
And it doesn’t make me sick,
But that’s not something that bothers me,
I’d just love to say it’s mine

I’d take the best of care of it,
Polish it every day,
Let it know it’s one of a kind
And that will never fade

There will never be another like it,
No matter how many tell me so,
I used to know what was inside,
But it won’t open for me anymore.

I’ll always be captivated by this jar,
But all I can do is look.
I’ve been told it’s someone else’s now,
I can’t hold it in my hands.

A Dog's Life

So I was walking my dogs yesterday, I had just had a bust up with a family member and I was really upset. I'm sitting there watching as my dog's are just running around chasing birds, pissing on posts and having the time of there lives because they were outside of the yard.. and I got really jealous and wrote this...

“A Dog’s Life”

To live a dog’s life would be something else,
Wake up, lay round without a care to hold you down,
Get excited when someone comes through the door,
Get ready for the postman just like every day before

To live a dog’s life would be something else,
Wake up, lay around without a care to hold you down,
Every meal’s prepared at the same time every day,
Every 5 minute’s a novelty and a new day

To live a dog’s life would be something else,
Wake up, lay around without a care to hold you down,
You’re bathed and clipped by someone else,
You’re good behaviour’s rewarded with a nice tasty treat

To live a dog’s life would be something else,
Wake up, lay around without a care to hold you down,
It’s something we’ve all said at one time in our lives,
It’s something we’ll say time after time.

Interview with Weber (ShotPointBlank, Trust Comes Tough)

I met Weber about 3 years ago when my old band played with ShotPointBlank in Byron Bay. Ever since he has always had the time of day for a quick catch up wherever I've seen him around the country. He's a busy man these days tour managing for Resist Records and running a clothing label called Trust Comes Tough. I wanted to pick his brains about a few things that you don't really grab in conversation at shows... so here's what Weber had to say:


Okay man, so tell me first and foremost, how’s life post-shotpointblank? How was the send off?

Life is great. Since Shotpointblank ended last year at Hardcore 2007 I have been pretty much on the road Tour managing and teching for a bunch of different bands. I have also started up a clothing label which takes up my time off the road. I still have been able to avoid working a real job, which is something im quite proud of as I cant stand the routine lifestyle most people are forced to lead.
The send off for Shotpointblank was amazing and a lot bigger and more emotional than we could have ever expected.

Weber on the skins @ SPB last show HC07

The Straight Edge is something I know that is really important to you, what made you want to pick it up? How long’s it been?

Ive been straightedge since 1997, so its been a while, but unlike a majority of people as I get older it is still one of the values I hold most dear to my heart. Its kept me out of a lot of trouble, got me off a destructive path and kept my mind clear at times when I needed it most. I originally heard about it from bands such as Minor Threat, Gorilla Biscuits and Earth Crisis. To be honest at first I thought the whole idea was dumb as when your a 16 year old teenager smoking weed and drinking every weekend the idea of not doing that sucks, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense to me so I gave being drug free a go for a while. I got siked on an album called Destroy the machines by Earth Crisis which inspired me to take the step to claim straightedge along with the fact that I grew up with alcoholics in the family. Seeing the destruction drugs and alcohol did to peoples lives along with listening to such proud straightedge bands made calling myself straightedge and committing myself to a drug free lifestyle for life was an easy choice. Obviously it took some getting used to and at times I doubted if I could do it, but I stuck with it and for that Im proud of myself and happy I made such a positive change in my life.

You have a clothing line out now, if people haven’t heard about it by now within Australia they’ve been living under a rock. What made you want to go ahead and start TRUST COMES TOUGH? What’s your focus?

Mid last year, I guess just after Shotpointblank broke up I felt like I was really doing anything that creative so I came up with the idea to make some straightedge shirts. I thought it would just be a few shirts and that would be it, but kids seemed to dig it so I kept printing more. I was stoked on the response so I decided to do a few new designs and they were pretty popular too, so yeah I guess it just kept on growing. It is and always will be a drug free/straightedge clothing label. I have plans for another label next year, but Trust Comes Tough is something I want to keep positive, with a message and to promote the lifestyle I love and lead.

Trust Comes Tough T-Shirt

So, we get to see a lot of you on the road here and there these days since working for resist, are you on the road right now? What’s next for you?

Right now Im on tour with Carpathian on their Isolation tour to promote their new record out on Resist Records. We are flying to Tasmania tomorrow morning where the temperature is a maximum of 8 degrees celsisus! So thats something to look forward too! After this I do two months with one of my best friends Deez Nuts. 1 month here in Australia with Crafters new band Confessions and 1 month in Europe with Bring Me The Horizon and The Red Shore. I then stay on in Europe and meet up with Parkway Drive for the Never Say Die tour with Unearth. Straight after that is parkway Australia for a month, so yeah Im pretty flat out for the next few months!

You and I were talking about our favourite Edge bands last time we saw each other in Brisbane, What would you say are the most influential bands for you, and why?

As I mentioned before as far as straightedge is concerned its definitely Earth Crisis, Minor Threat and Gorilla Biscuits as well as early Throwdown, Another Victim, The Path of Resistance and Onekingdown. Early Hatebreed and Madball were also bands that although not on a straightedge level, inspired me and made me proud to do my thing and be myself and to not worry about what others thought.

There are a few newer Straight Edge kids about at the moment it seems, caught up in the tattoos and thug life image or wearing cut off shorts and SxTx style thrasher caps... have kids lost the plot man? Is this what’s it’s come down to in Australia, imagery over philosophy?

Its hard to say. You cant generalize with anyone group of people. Theres some young kids who are probably in it for the wrong reasons as there is thug kids. On the other hand there is thug kids and young kids that definitely know whats up and I have alot of faith in. Image is always something that creeps into all sorts of lifestyles, I just try to ignore it and make sure that the reason I do something has basis and meaning. I have plenty of friends that do or are involved in things I might not always agree with, but at the end of the day if they are good people that can bacck up what they preach thats all that matters to me.

I guess with the new also comes, the old. What’s your stance on people that drop the Edge man, does it REALLY change the person that you are inside, affect friendships, and break up bands, how bigger deal is it for you?

Its always weird. I still get disappointed when one of my friends breaks edge and starts drinking, but thats all it is to me, disappointment. I dont hate them, I just feel sad that something that was so important to them and me now means nothing and they are happy to succumb to the pressures of society. Its gone both ways for me, sometimes friends have broken edge, turned into a jerk, talked shit on edge and become people id rather not associate with, but I have also had friends that break edge and are still the same great person they always were but just drink now and to me thats fine. Dont write off a friend just because they make a different lifestyle choice. if they turn into an asshole then fine, but otherwise if your really good friens then your friendship should be stronger than that.

I saw you have a hip-hop project in the mix now, “Cobwebz”, are you doing everything yourself? Seems like a lot of fun.

I just did it for fun and seems like a few people liked it so Im just gonna see where it goes and maybe try my luck at a few more tracks. Ive always liked hip hop and figured since im too busy to commit to a band of 5 people for now I can still use some creativity through doing the hip hop thing.


You've been involved with hardcore for a long time in this country. A lot has changed in that time... do you remember the first show you ever went to? What was that like for you?

Well the first show I ever went to was all Adelaide surf/punk bands. The Bearded Clams, Numbskulls and Wheres the Pope, that was probably in 1995. I then started going to see bands like Frenzal Rhomb, Damaged and then stuff like Forcefed 9 and Price of Silence. From there I started to go and see as many hardcore shows as I could, There was probabaly 30 people at some of these shows. Me and my friends started putting on shows at the Adelaide Community centre and this is where bands like Day of Contempt, Shotpointblank and I Killed The prom Queen played their first shows. We would get 50 kids to some of these shows and thought that was huge, so to see 1000 kids at shows now is just insane.



Was the scene a welcoming place to be and something that was easy to feel a part of? Do you think it still is/isn't?

When I first got involved in hardcore everyone was in it because it really did mean something to them, it wasnt cool, it wasnt mainstream, it was a tiny scene that only we cared about. It grew into something we could have never imagined but I feel these days hardcore has lost its basis. Not completely, there is still a lot of bands and people that do really care and know what it means to live and breathe hardcore but there are also a lot of people that are only there because at the moment its big and a "cool" thing to be involved in. I dont have any problem with anyone attending shows and I know not everyone wants or cares to be as into it as hard out as maybe me or my friends are, but it would be cool if more of these kids understood where it all came from and what being hardcore really means.

I think hardcore is still very welcoming, obviously there are aspects that may deter some people, but in what scene isnt there an unwelcoming element? It was probabaly actually harder for a new kid to come to shows back when there was 50 people because you couldnt hide. Shows were full of all these dudes that were totally dedicated to hardcore and then your the new guy who comes along and you dont go unoticed, these days you can just blend into the crowd.

There's been some amazing bands grace these shores... everything from the Have Hearts and the Banes to the Shutdowns and the Strifes. What bands hold the biggest parts of your memory?

My fondest memory is seeing Strife with Satanic Surfers at Cartoons in Adelaide in about 98, I was so excited, i had learnt every word the week before instead of doing my homework for school and when the curtain came up I had never been so pumped in my life!


Do you have any last words bro? Mad props or shout outs?

Thanks again man and good luck with the zine!

More to Me

i just had the first stanza pop into my head and thought i would sign in and just run with it. this is what i came up with. pretty stoked. it's about the simple actions we wish for or don't want and how at the end of the day they do not define us. who are are is irrelivant, what we do is important, how you do it is what people remember.

"more to me"

i want to learn,
i want to be,
i know there's more
more to me

i want to live,
i don't want to die,
i know there's more
more to me

i want to love,
i want to be loved,
i know there's more
more to me

i want to sleep,
i don't want to wake,
i know there's more
more to me

i want to play,
i envy the free,
i know there's more
more to me

i want to cry,
i won't say why,
i know there's more
more to me

it's not who you are,
it's what you do,
i know there's more
more to me

Oceans and Miles

Over the last few days I've been feeling lower and lower. I've been in a really good place for the last 3 or so weeks and it's a real bummer. Every time I think I'm on top of it all again I seem to come crashing down. This is a really dark poem, but it's seriously how it feels to be inside of me right now. I don't see it at all meladramatic. Try to enjoy it and take it for what it is...

“Oceans and Miles”

My chest sinks right through me
It feels so tight and I can’t take anymore
So cold, and so heavy are the hearts of many
Why must we do this to ourselves?

We long for more, wish for so much
So much we can only look at, never touch
The sky’s the limit, with our hopes on the floor
It left with you when you found something more

Everyday’s a day for living
Every night’s left for regrets
So much time to think, and over analyse
All the mistakes and what hurts inside

So much is left
So much could be said
I feel so lonely, I feel so scared
I hate feeling that this feeling may never end

Coming so far to step back so much
Oceans and miles couldn’t measure the distance
Not planes or trains are what keep us apart
It has everything to do with this dank, cold heart

Interview with Allan Reid (Just Say Go, Connections, Live Today)

Allan has been a close friend of mine for a few years now. Through my involvement in Brisbane hardcore Al has been someone I have always looked up to, both before knowing him and during our friendship also. In my eyes this guy has one of the most switched on minds in Aussie Hardcore. After the conclusion of his last band JUST SAY GO! Al moved to Europe to persue CONNECTIONS, a demo project he had started in Australia with SOMETHING INSIDE's drummer Toni.

It's been a while since Al and I had a good chat and really get down to the good stuff, so I asked him if he would do my first interview for THROUGH THE MOTIONS. Al's intelligent, has no teeth and is a really good dude. Enjoy!

Connections in Europe '08

How’s things since you left home, are you enjoying Europe/Ireland?

Yeah I am, I'm in Northern Ireland at the moment seeing my family and getting to know relatives I haven't had the chance to see a lot of and seeing as much of the country as I can. Before I came to Ireland I was in Europe, mainly Germany, and that was awesome too. East German hardcore is some of the best in the world from everyone who has had the chance to pass through and I've been lucky enough to spend a few months there playing and going to shows. I swear I've seen some of the best shows of my life in a 2 month period.

It's awesome seeing countries with such a depth to their history as well. I mean, Australia has a couple of hundred years of history and most of it is based on the English mistreating the people of the land they have colonised, but in Europe there is a much longer period of history and a greater number of defining events that have shaped the continent and it's nations. I was a real culture shock at first too because things over here are a lot different to back home. As soon as i got here i realised just how cut off Australia is from other parts of the world and how the overbearing American influence has stopped us from seeing other cultures in a way that would allow us to gel them into our own. All in all my first few months away have been massively eye opening and really given me new perspectives on a lot of things I never put much thought into.

most definately man, i think you're right.. it's up to all of us here to get out of out little pocket and experience some things. during your time in europe What were the immediate differences you found between the euro and Australian scenes?

The biggest difference for me is the approach to everything. I've always said that Australia has a hardcore industry, and in saying that i mean that it is all treated like a bunch of companies working together and everyone is trying to create a network of small business transactions that create a big circle of people shaking hands, making deals and getting ahead. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that if that is how you want to do things. But this misconception that you NEED a label to release your record and you NEED to tour this many times a year and you NEED to do this or that is complete bullshit.

Here in Europe everything is DIY and from my viewpoint it is because they don't need a big label to put out their releases because they have their own network that works on it's own level. Distribution here is based on trading and selling releases and merch at shows. Kids run distro stalls that are bigger than the Whykillamoocow stall at the West End markets. Shops don't stock hardcore unless someone has done so well with their distro that they can then afford to open a small shop. It's a big difference to me. I remember being told that we needed a distribution company on board when we (Just Say Go!) released One Chance to Live to make sure we got our CD into the big chain stores.

Looking back now, I think if you work hard enough you don't need chain stores to sell out a pressing. Another big difference I have found over here is the depth of the scene in terms of people. I mean in Australia the older people involved in the scene are late 20's. Over here there are guys having mid life crisis's and going bald who come to shows and stage dive and are still 100% active in the scene because they love it. One classic example is Mike Inside. I've done a few trips with Something Inside and more often than not we'll talk bands and I'll say "Undertow, I like Undertow!!!" and Mike's reply will be "Oh Undertow are ok, I saw them in 93...." and it's become a running joke for him to rub it in that he has seen all of these bands from 15 to 20 years ago.

It's awesome sitting and talking to these guys, it's like talking to your grandparent about your family tree, and looking at the younger generation of hardcore kids that they hang around, you can see a sort of mutual education system where the older guys teach the younger guys a bit of history and the younger guys teach the older guys how to use itunes and give them new bands to check out. I never saw that depth in Australian Hardcore and often felt like the older guys were looked down on instead of being treated as a good source of history and also a valuable part of the hardcore community.

White kids can jump!

I totally agree man, and you can see/understand that just by talking to any dude that comes here on tour, we understand what we can learn from these guys so we do our best to. would you say Australia's scene is lost in terms of that respect? do you think it's something the majority will ever understand? because for me it's one of the most important parts of a hardcore community...

I think Australia has a constantly young scene. I think the cricles move around so much that the scene for the last few years has always been young people. The problem with that is that young people are more often than not still evolving and learning who they are and what they want out of life. So in that situation you get a lot of people passing in and out of trends and dipping their toes into this or that to see where they fit. But the thing I think really plays a big role in this is the culture of Australia and it is my belief that this is part in parcel with the history of the country.

I mean when you look at some of these countries I mentioned earlier, and their history, you see pretty strong events that have caused the relative society to form groups, choose sides and really fight. You had to know what you wanted because jumping from one side to the other would be suicide. You couldn't be a Catholic in Ireland and then one day decide "Oh I think I will head down to the Protestant Church this weekend" because there's a good chance it would cost you your life. You couldn't be a Neo Nazi and head out to a Bar Mitzva just to see if you are interested in the Jewish faith. People were forced into a position where they had to know themselves well enough to decide where to fight and what they would wuite literally die for. I think that has filtered down into the younger generations lives of these countries and they seem to know who they are at a very young age. Australia really seems to lack that and it is one thing that really shows when you get out and see different countries with such an adverse history with events that shape a culture in so many different ways to our own.

I guess that's a big part and difference in Australian society, compared to others. When you're founded by something established and you're a convict colony where from day 1, your nation's established history is 'people arrive and continue what they knew back home', it becomes a societal confusion and so many lines are blurred.

Yeah definitely, I mean, a culture is what you create. Walk into a room full of people and have a frown on your face and it will change that room; walk in with a smile and it will have the opposite affect. I don't believe that Australia has had the sorts of events that would create a culture of people really needing to understand and analyse their role in a situation so they can walk away saying " this is 100% how I feel about this situation and I'll stand by this position for good"

most definately, and i think its something that we're going to have to deal with. moving onto more hc related stuff You’re doing connections shows over there with a solid line-up and working on a 7, how far is that away from completion?

I am in the process of getting the order away for to the pressing plant but I just need to iron out a few wrinkles. The artwork is ready to go and I just need to find a printing plant to do that and we're firing away. It's been a bit of a long process because it's taking me a while to get used to the pricing system over here. You get a price for €500 and think you're sweet but then the final offer comes through at about €1000 and it's hard to work out how the price doubled over night, and most of the time the pressing plants put it down to VAT (taxes) but they are only 19% of the production costs. But I think I finally have it worked out and have a plant who are going to do a good job. So we'll have pre orders available soon and the seven inch will be out in early to mid September.

good news, i know a lot of people here are asking me about it... how have shows been for you guys?

Shows have been really good. Our first 2 shows were with Miles Away which was cool. We played good sets both shows and had fun seeing the other bands, although one of the shows was a bit small and the turnout wasn't great. We've also done 2 shows with No Turning Back and Down To Nothing which were awesome. No Turning Back are one of the best bands I've ever had the chance to see so playing with them was something I'll really look back on with pride. We also played a show in a kind of punk squat which was rad. That place was cool. It looked like a run down old building but inside there was a small room at the back with a PA and a small stage. There've also been some rad local bands on the shows we've played as well like The Realness, Something Inside, Black Friday 29, Built On Trust and Break Through.

Al working hard on What Remains stuff.

What remains records is another project of yours, how’s it travelling, how are you finding running a label?

I'm definitely winging it hahaha. I'm putting out the Connections seven inch first of all then taking it from there. I've also been talking to Stand Hard about doing some tapes for them here in Europe as a second demo i think. They were going to do a seven inch but had too many songs and weren't ready to press a CD just yet so it'll be released as a tape. I'm also looking at the possibility of releasing a Connections split later this year but first I need to get back over to Germany and have a good chat with Thomas from Something Inside to bounce a few ideas off him. So basically What Remains is a work in progress but I'm hoping to be able to build on it and work on it and do good things with it but I think if i start with Connections I can avoid mucking other bands around if i have any big mishaps.

You’re a guy who always has things up his sleeve, anymore hardcore related projects?

I'm getting really into doing design projects. I've done a few shirts now and Something Inside have just released their Lionheart LP which I whole heartedly believe to be one of the best Youth Crew influenced albums to come out this year from anyone in the world, and I was lucky enough to do the layout for them. I've done shirts for Values Here, Something Inside, Reach Out, Just Say Go and Connections and I'm currently working on some ideas for No Turning Back. Whether or not the band will like them, I'm not too sure but they are pretty nice guys and easy to deal with. I've recently finished the Connections seven inch layout and also done a few tape layouts since landing in Europe.

I'm really enjoying the learning process of it all and each project has given me a little bit more of an idea what I'm doing. Eventually I want to be able to recreate that mid 90's era feel to shirts and layouts. Some of the shirt designs coming from the 90's are pure gold and I'm currently in the process of learning to rip them off. I'm also working on a zine called Cutting Away.

You might remember Our Time which was a zine I wrote about 3 or 4 years ago and I got one issue out and started work on another but lost track of it. I gave some of the interviews to the Sharp End zine to print but a lot of them were really out of date so I just dropped them. Cutting Away is a new zine I'm working on with a new approach to avoid losing track. Issue 1 should be out soon with interviews from Trial, Betrayed, The First Step, Things We Say, The War, Reign Supreme, One Voice and Get The Most. I'm really psyched on getting it out and being able to hold a printed copy in my hands. ...and in saying "you might remember Our Time..." I mean just you, not everyone reading this haha.

What’s it been like being able to see some pretty incredible bands? What’s your fondest memory in Europe thus far?

The best thing has definitely been meeting people and just talking, but really talking. Not just "hey I'm Allan, hows it going?" I caught up with Aram at The First Steps shows in Germany and he introduced me to some of the people he had met in past tours of Europe and I really got talking. I met a really nice guy called Gabi who runs a label called Cycle Records and writes an awesome zine called One Kind Word and I really puzzled him i think because i was asking all of these questions and really digging to find out what happens in his home city of Barcelona.

I've stayed in touch with him and hopefully will be getting a few copies of the final Damage Control seven inch off him as he put it out through Cycle. I've also had some really good chats with some of the older German guys who have been really educating me. It's kind of cool because for years my brother and i had this formula for finding out about new bands like a family tree where you would look for links. For example, Ray Cappo sang in Youth of Today, from that you can link him to Revelation Records, Shelter and Better Than A Thousand. When you consider that there are normally 5 members per band and most of them have played in other bands you get this huge network of bands to find out about. I've had the chance to meet older guys who do the same thing. It's like brain storming as a pair but the other person knows a shit load more than you do and you just soak up all this info. It really changes your interest in hardcore, especially considering that i was feeling a bit burned out on it all when i left.,

As for seeing bands, I've seen some of the best bands in the last few months that I've ever seen full stop. Seeing The First Step was totally uplifting and really blew me away. I've also had the chance to see Miles Away play to a European crowd which i guess a lot of people would think isn't much because i get to see them a lot in Australia but when I saw them i was really thinking "I wonder what it will be like to see and Australian band play in Europe." In the end it was pretty enjoyable and they played a few older songs which was awesome because I don't really get into their newer stuff. No Turning Back are a great band and no matter what sort of show they are playing they give it 110%. It's awesome to see a band that has toured the world, played for over ten years, and released records on some big labels, but when you see them, they are a hardcore band. They are down to earth and have a real ground level attitude. It really gave me a boost to meet those guys and see that they don't take a single thing for granted and work really hard to be able to do their band full time.

amazing al, well it's been awesome being able to pick your brains for more than small talk. it's always a pleasure man. any final words, shameless plugs etc?

I think I've plugged enough for a lifetime through there. Thanks Stu.