Words by Rod Whitfield

Side projects are, by a general rule of thumb, pretty hit and miss affairs. They often appear to be a bit of an ego boost, or a way for an artist to get his/her cast-off songs, unwanted by the main act, released. Others can actually be superior to the main project (see Maynard James Keenan’s A Perfect Circle band, in this writer’s humble opinion).

Seminal, massively successful bands often spawn a side project or two, or more, in a similar way to which successful teams often breed coaches in later years (see the mighty Hawthorn teams of the 70s and 80s). Slipknot are one such band, having produced at least two high profile side projects since their inception in the mid to late nineties.

Words by Cameron Edney

It’s time to grab that tin of hairspray, pull out those leopard print skin tight pants, throw on that leather jacket and get ready to ‘Rip and Tear’ when Tracii Guns L.A. Guns roll into town this week! Fronted by Love / Hate vocalist Jizzy Pearl and featuring Faster Pussycat’s Chad Stewart on Drums, Jeremy Guns on bass and founding L.A. Guns guitarist Tracii Guns, this four piece sleazy, dirty, rockin outfit are about to give Australian hard rock fans one hell of a treat! Kicking off in Brisbane on September 2^nd, L.A. Guns will do a run of shows down the Australian east coast playing all our favourite tunes from L.A. Guns and Tracii Guns assures me that there will be some surprises thrown into the set!

I had the pleasure of catching up with the legendary axe-man earlier this week to speak about the bands upcoming Australian shows, the possibility of brand new L.A. Guns material, the bourdons of life on the road and much more!

Kick back as we talk ‘Hollywood Vampires’, ‘Shrinking Violets’ and all that’s rockin’ with the one and only Tracii Guns!

SOUNDWORKS TOURING & APPARELDIRECT.COM.AU presents

AUSTRALIAN TOUR SEPTEMBER 2010

MAIN SUPPORT ANNOUNCED

ASTRIAAL from Brisbane has been announced as the main support for the upcoming Mayhem Tour (except Auckland & Perth). Over the past decade, numerous releases reinforced by an accumulation of accolades has seen ASTRIAAL being considered one of the leading Black Metal exponents from Australia. Their domestic tour supports have included Mayhem, Arcturus, Opeth, Destroyer 666, Suffocation, Nile, Deeds of Flesh, Incantation and Pungent Stench, with the bands distinct tone melded and refined in the foundry

of the live arena, achieved through the execution of numerous Australian tours spanning over a decade.

Words by Rod Whitfield

Believe it or not, mighty Chicago four piece Disturbed have been belting out their melodic but bombastic heavy rock/metal sound since 1996. Since the release of their debut album The Sickness ten years ago, they have sold over 11 million albums worldwide, their previous three records debuting at number one on the Billboard Charts. In this day and age of illegal downloading, and of heavy music still being very much an underground phenomenon since it’s last renaissance well over 20 years ago, this is nothing short of incredible.

Amid a sea of rumour and innuendo, we’re here to set you straight and make all your heavy music prayers come true... NO SLEEP TIL, is a national touring festival that will deliver a mix of the best international and local acts from the legendary to the up and comers.

Make sure you’re sitting down before you read further…

Leading the charge for this historic event is seminal thrash-metal act MEGADETH, who will be performing their now-classic release RUST IN PEACE in its entirety! Those lucky enough to witness Mustaine and co in action when last here in 2009 will attest that Megadeth are in their career best form, making this a once in a lifetime experience you don’t want to miss!

As musically impressive as they are entertaining, punk rock stalwarts NOFX are one of the few within their genre that have been able to remain creatively relevant throughout their career. Armed with a back catalogue that boasts as many hits as a backyard-boxing match, NOFX are, as always, guaranteed to deliver each and every night.

Fiercely loyal to their hometown of Boston, MA, everyone’s favourite working-class heroes DROPKICK MURPHYS, are now something of a household name in Australia with their socially-aware punk rock anthems accompanying the last two years’ worth of AFL coverage, and the countless sold-out shows they’ve played down under in the past!

Fresh off the US and UK festival circuit, home grown metalcore heroes, PARKWAY DRIVE are heading up the strong local contingent of artists involved in No Sleep Til. With their recent album Deep Blue crash tackling the national ARIA charts at number 2, and a huge run of sold-out shows around the country, the Byron Bay collective has cemented their position as one of Australia’s dominant musical exports.

It’s taken more than thirty years, but trailblazing pop-punk quartet DESCENDENTS (MELBOURNE, SYDNEY, BRISBANE only) are finally bringing their hugely influential sounds to Australian shores. Original members Milo Aukerman and Bill Stevenson will be teaming up with long-time band mates Stephen Egerton and Karl Alvarez. It’s been a painfully long wait to get these guys here…you’ll be kicking yourself if you miss them. Make sure you catch the self-confessed “nerdsome foursome” at the Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane shows.

After their 2008 sophomore effort Homesick took the world by storm, A DAY TO REMEMBER’S (ADELAIDE, MELBOURNE, SYDNEY, BRISBANE only) blend of down-tuned metalcore and sing-along pop punk has become one of the hottest commodities in live music today. With their yet to be titled third record hitting shelves this October, the Floridian five-piece are shaping up to be one of the No Sleep Til Festival’s highlights!

For more than two decades US metal troupe GWAR have been shocking audiences all over the world, so it's about time Australia and New Zealand was able to witness the bloody carnage first hand. Throughout their illustrious - and often controversial - career, GWAR have been nominated for a Grammy Award on two separate occasions, while their theatrical stage show has been able to remain relevant to audiences young and old by re-creating a slew of contentious political and social issues. 

Since releasing their debut full-length Goddamnit in 1998, ALKALINE TRIO have been at the forefront of the modern day punk movement, with the group's hard-rocking tunes providing the perfect musical backdrop for iconic front man Matt Skiba's often harrowing lyrics. Breaking through to the mainstream with 2001's From Here To Infirmary, Skiba, bassist/co-vocalist Dan Andriano and powerhouse drummer Derek Grant have gone from strength to strength, with each of their subsequent studio efforts winning over fans and critics alike. A band not to be missed!

Sweden’s darkest sons KATATONIA will join metalcore favourites ATREYU (ADELAIDE, MELBOURNE, SYDNEY, BRISBANE only), Aussie punks FRENZAL RHOMB and punk-rock’s karaoke kings ME FIRST AND THE GIMME GIMME’S (AUSTRALIAN shows only)

In addition to this already monumental package, we are pleased to announce the inclusion of the classic-metal loving 3 INCHES OF BLOOD, deathcore sensations SUICIDE SILENCE,  Pennsylvanian quintet AUGUST BURNS RED and rapidly-rising US troupe WE CAME AS ROMANS also on board.

Adding to the aforementioned list of local talent to the Australian shows, is progressive post-hardcore sextet HOUSE VS HURRICANE, live-wire Perth crew BREAK EVEN, Sydney’s most promising pop-punks HEROES FOR HIRE and of course, the pit-inciting CONFESSION.

And… adding to this excellent line up local talent, all flying the New Zealand flag with pride are the hardcore heroes ANTAGONIST AD fresh from their European tour and ready to deliver their brutal no-holds-barred hardcore to NZs masses. Wellington based melodic punk rockers THE OUTSIDERS. Auckland based hardcore hard-outs SHITRIPPER led by an intense and layered duel vocal attack AND, NZ’s most exciting new act LEECHES, formed from the ashes of Bleeders and Goodnight Nurse and featuring members of Antagonist A.D and Brick Vs Face.

So there you have it! We promised and we have delivered.