Australian hardcore punk bands tend to have local fan bases, although a number have toured Australia and internationally. Recorded material by these bands is often hard to find, as many focus on the live shows (which are the mainstay of the scene). Prominent bands from the scene that have been recognised by the mainstream have included Toe To Toe, Massappeal and Mindsnare, while many relative newcomers (such as Ill Brigade, Anxiety Attack and 50 Lions to name a few examples) have enjoyed some commercial success due to the recent popularity of the genre. Many of these bands are currently very popular and are bringing some mainstream attention to the label "hardcore", Australian hardcore is played on the national Triple J network in the short.fast.loud program^[1] and on a number of local stations.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Early History (1980's)

Massappeal of Sydney were one of the first hardcore acts to perform in Australia playing their first gig in 1985^[2] and releasing an 12" album (Nobody Likes A Thinker) in 1986^[3]. Another early band in the hardcore punk scene was Adelaide's Where's the Pope?, who formed around 1985 and released their first LP, Straight Edge Holocaust, in 1987.^[4]. Also forming in the 1980's was the Perth band Rupture^[5]. Other early examples of Australian hardcore bands include Depression, Gash, Death Sentence, The Rejected, Death Mission, World War XXIV, Psychotic Maniacs, Vicious Circle, End Result, Ribcage Wrestlers, Permanent Damage, C.H.A.O.S, Progression Cult, Sick Things, Perdition, Positive Hatred, Suicide Squad, Box of Fish, Feedtime, Examplehead, Toys Went Beserk, Crucified Truth, I Spit On Your Gravy, Public Execution and Civil Dissident. All of these bands had vinyl releases in the 1980's^[6].

[edit] Culture

[edit] DIY ethic

The Do-It-Yourself (DIY) ethic is strong. The rise of CD burners and the Internet has allowed more bands to self-publish their records and sell through their websites or on consignment in local record stores. If recorded material is available distribution is often through local distributors run out of band member's garages or small independent labels which are active in most capital cities.

[edit] Ideology

As with hardcore punk bands worldwide, a number of Australian hardcore bands express ideological, political, sexual and religious values and ideologies in their music.

Winston McCall of Parkway Drive commented in an interview about straight edge and veganism:

Veganism and straightedge beliefs are becoming more prominent in the hardcore scene, and in Adelaide in particular, according to McCall. "I'd say Adelaide has probably got the biggest straightedge/vegan scene in Australia. In Byron there's about five straightedge kids and I think maybe two kids that are vegan and that's about it," McCall laughs. "I'm vegetarian myself and there's a couple of us that are straightedge, but we just wanna have fun and play music. We do believe in trying to make a difference in some way, but as a whole we don't really champion any beliefs. We're just a hardcore band!"^[7]

[edit] Radio shows

The ABC Triple J network has a weekly program, short.fast.loud, which showcases some punk and hardcore music released both locally and elsewhere. The show focuses on a ranges of music, from radio-friendly acts such as Go It Alone, Stolen Youth and Miles Away, to smaller more obscure act such as Hospital The Musical, Bad Day Down, Robotosaurus, This City Sunrise and R.A.D.

Playlists are posted weekly on the Triple J short.fast.loud website.

[edit] Australian record labels releasing hardcore

• Common Bond Records
• Resist Records
• Missing Link Records
• International Trash Records
• Disconnect Records (Tasmania)
• Trial & Error Records
• Building Records
• Washedup Records
• Epitath Records
• New Justice Records
• Dead Souls Records

[edit] See also

• Punk rock in Australia
• List of hardcore punk bands
• Category:Australian hardcore punk and metalcore groups

[edit] References