Interview with Summerset Avenue

Summerset Avenue have made a name for themselves in the Australian pop punk scene. They had a good 3 years of playing shows all around Australia, travelling to record in Boston (USA) and playing the SXSW Festival  in Austin, Texas. They recently announced they would be be calling it a day after playing 2 final shows in Melbourne. We recently got the chance to talk to their bassist Steve Cannatelli about the band's final release, the future of the group, possible reunions and future projects.


So I'm just listening to your latest and final release 'Count Me In', it seems to sound like trademark Summerset Avenue, which never fails wow me. I was wondering a few things about this song:

What made you guys decide to choose this song for your final release? 

Well we already had it recorded and ready to go for a release early next year but since we have decided to call it a day we thought we may as well release it as our final release, we had worked really hard on this track and we wanted to let our fans hear it

How does it compare to the first songs you wrote as band back in 2010? 

Count Me In, in my opinion is a more mature song and demonstrates that we as a band have found our sound. It's a sound that we had been working towards for quite sometime now, our own brand of Pop/Rock so to speak.

Do you think the guys whoformed Summerset Avenue would be proud of this song and other recent material you have written?

Probably not but we didn't write those songs for them, we wrote them for us and for our fans.

Will this definitely be the final release from Summerset Avenue, or is there any secret recordings or unreleased material?

This is it, there is nothing else. 

After only seeing you guys live for the first time recently at EV's Youth Centre at their Rocktober show, I had a few questions about you guys and your live show.

- Being a relative small stage at EV's there wasn't many people getting into the performance. I was wondering how much crowd participation/response do you normally get at shows? 

It varies to be honest, some shows people are bouncing off the walls, at others they barely move... It's usually the same set played in the same way with the same energy, sometimes people get it and respond, other times they don't.

Best mosh pit/live show you have ever had? Why was it so awesome? 

Koo Wee Rup which is a regional town in Melbourne's South Eastern are always a lot of fun, they really get into it and have a lot of fun with us! The Enigma Bar in Adelaide when we played with D At Sea there was a great show too and also our show with Tonight Alive mid last year, to me they are the stand outs. There have probably been a ton more but right now I can't remember them.

Most embarrassing moment on stage?

Probably when Leeanne told to audience to come sit on her box (laughs). she was actually referring to a box she was sitting on-stage during an acoustic set, but i think most people thought otherwise and found it quite funny. I think she was quite embarrassed (laughs).

I noticed you did a few covers along with your awesome high energy originals. Some covers where very unexpected/left field to cover at a rock show, but they fantastically turned into great rock anthems. 

Who/what made you guys decide to do these types of covers and why do them the way you do?

Well we wanted to keep things Pop and we didn't want to just cover band songs cause how boring is that so we thought why not take cheesy over produced pop songs and make them rock tracks, not only did the crowd enjoy these songs but it was a challenge for us to re-invent them.

Most left field/out there song you guys have ever covered? 

M.I.A Paper Planes.

I heard you guys also went to the USA to record and play a few shows?

We played SXSW Festival in March 2011 which was an amazing experience and also recorded our debut EP there too in July 2010 which was surreal. To be a band for 4 months and then end up recording your first release in another country, that's the stuff you dream about as a kid.

How does the US music scene differ from the Australian scene that we are all born and bred on?

It's a whole other ball game over there, so many bands and so many of a high standard. You really have to work hard for your audience over there.

Biggest difference between your American shows and your Australian shows? Apart from the obvious geographic location?

People knew us here, no one knew us there (laughs).

After a quick visit to your Facebook page, I can see you have over a staggering 6,200 fans, a number which many local bands can only dream of.

- Was there a specific time when your fan base suddenly boomed or has it just been consistently rising from the bands inception in 2010?

Its been a consistent rise since 2010, there were times where we got more attention on us than other times like when Joel Madden retweeted our video of our cover of Good Charlotte's Like It's Her Birthday or when we topped the Triple J Unearthed Charts or when our cover of Kesha's Take It Off went viral on Youtube, but for the most part its been a slow, consistent growth which we were happy with.

Did the trips to the USA have a big effect on your fan base? Did you find that your fans became more global after taking the band overseas?

Not really, I mean we made new fans and friends but to be honest Youtube got us more oversea's fans than visiting the country itself.

Got any advice for local bands who are aspiring to gain that kind of fan base?

Social Media and gig everywhere and anywhere you can, whether its to 1000 people or 10 people, when you're starting out its all relevant.

What's the largest gathering of fans together you guys have seen at once?

That i'm not sure of to be honest but it would be nice if our last show was the biggest gathering of fans ever.

So the announcement of you guys calling it quits came as quite a shock to many of your fans. I myself was surprised as I had only really just got into your music. I know many of your fans are grateful for the amazing music and high energy live show you have given over your 3 years as a band.

What made you guys call it quits? 

We decided to call the quits for many reasons but the one that was most dominant in the decision was that as a whole we weren't having fun anymore, a lot of things felt forced and thats just not what we're about.

What caused you guys to stop enjoying playing in Summerset Avenue? 

There were a lot of reasons and out of respect to the rest of the band I won't get into them but it was a collective of things that had been going on for months, not just one or two things that came about overnight.

Was it a sudden decision or did you guys know for a while that you would be calling it quits soon?

I think in the back of our minds we all had known for quite sometime that it was just a matter of time before it came to an end.

Would you guys ever consider or be open to any kind of reunion in the future? Even for one off shows?

That I couldn't say for sure, maybe, maybe not, would depend on a lot of different factors, too hard to say right now.

At your final shows on the 21st and 29th of December, what will be the bands feelings? Will you guys be sad? Relieved? Can expect any tears from anyone in the group? 

I have no idea, we'll have to see when we walk off stage. I think most of us are sad that it had to end, I know I am and I will miss it a lot.

So finally, I know many of your 6,000 plus fans would love to know, what's next for all of the members of Summerset Avenue? Even if your not playing as a group anymore what are the plans for you four talented individuals future? Will any of you guys be starting a new band or pursuing a solo career at all? 

That I actually can't tell you as I have not spoken to any of the members in regards to their future musical plans but i'm sure most of us will continue with music, what style or in what way I don't know.

Also I would like to give you a chance to say anything to your fans? Any message to send out to them before your final shows?

Thank you all so much, it's because of you that we were able to take this band as far as we did and we really can't thank you all enough for that, you made our dreams come true.

Interview with Selby MC

A few months ago I spoke to a kid from my High School, his name is Robbie McKenzie and performs under the stage name Selby MC. Since conducting this interview he's gone on to win rap battles, Battle of the Bands in Diamond Creek much more.

Ready to go now?
Yeah mate.

Tell me a bit about yourself
Not much to know really.
I'm just an underground hip hop artist from Warrandyte doing what I love.

What is your main inspiration?
Sorry I didn't understand that, ohhh (laughs) I got you.
I obviously look up to the greatest emcees out of Australia eg. Hilltop, Bliss N Eso, Drapht ect.
but lately I've been discovering more local artists such as Dylan Joel and Eloji who I look up to.

What made you actually get up and start rapping in the first place?
The amount of times I've had this question.
I used to always sing along with songs and get all the lyrics out that I've memorized  Some mates told me i should start my own thing and rap my own lyrics, i agreed and wrote a song, it took me 1 night to write and about 6 months till i uploaded itbeing self concious

Well you must have shed all the self consciousness, I heard you won 3rd place at your school talent show.
Yeah it looks like that doesn't it, and yes I did place third and am quietly proud of myself (laughs)

What did the judges have to say about your performance?
Something about good stage presence, and stuff

You originally went under the name Biro MC, why the change?
(laughs again) I really just didn't like it to be honest
copped a fair bit of stick for it as-well.

Yeah, I think some people may have been surprised by the fact that you rapped
It was a silly name yes

How did you come up with the name Selby?

Don't know, it just came to me. Turns out to be a place in England.

What are your plans for the future?
Done my Mixtape now and won a few battles already think its about time i stayed quiet for a bit
But live shows if i can get some definitely.

I asked another rapper by the name of DeeYeM this question. Would you ever consider performing with a live band? As in guitar, bass, drums
Well, I've had ideas for all that stuff and i enjoyed collaborating with the boys over at Danitchy; who are and acoustic band and yeah it sounds like a good idea.

Have you ever been inspired by rap rock bands like Rage Against the Machine or the Red Hot Chili Peppers?
Yes definitely.

Rage Against the Machine have a political take on their lyrics, what has inspired you in writing your songs? Anything similar to bands like that?
Well the foo fighters have always insired me, seeing there songs and the way they go about things
love the sound of all there songs.

Rhe way they sort of have a humor to the way they go about their music, and in their music videos?
Yeah thats it, the way there so good but they treat it like its still there first year just having a laugh.

Yeah, I know what you mean.
But, as far as inspiration for the actual lyrics goes, who are your main influences?
That would have to be Bliss N Eso. just needing to hear the next bar they sing , the way they have so much wordplay and everything makes sense, its great.

What sort of topics do you like to rap about?
Well one of my favorite lines by Horrorshow "I used to write sad cause its easy,
then I like happy cause it free'd me"
and thats true writing happy shit is difficult but the best in my opinion and also like writing alot of punchlines and wordplay, I dunno that's just me.

Positive or self affirming stuff about knowing who you are?
Yeah

Anything to ad, might wrap it up
Not really mate, like I said theres not much about me.

Review: Daywalker by The Lost League

Daywalker is the debut release by Melbourne hardcore outfit The Lost League. The band features Ray Comley on lead vox, Jimmy Clarke on rhythmic guitar, Benn Xeno on leading/clean vox, Alec Smith on the 4 string and Ben McConnel hitting those drums. Yeah, you're already interested to hear it, aren't you? Keep reading to get a taste of what it could be like.

With I Thought Hurricane Season Was Over, the EP/demo opens like the calm before a storm. Soft synth echoes in the background,you're given a false sense of security, before a wall djent smacks you right in the face. Thundering bass, grinding guitars,and small vocal sample lead into the 2nd track.

With the opening of Facing Facts gang vocal screams the song title right at your face. The riff in to the song seems fairly straight forward at first, but then speeds up halfway for a faster paced jam. It has a bit of a Parkway Drive sound to it which a lot of fans of metalcore/hardcore will find satisfying .

Jamiah opens with a clean intro which heads straight into a fast punky sort of jam, it's clear the band are avid fans of hardcore heavyweights Amity Affliction. This one is sure get a few circle pits going. A solo with a few technical runs will leave guitar players satisfied as the song abruptly pulls to a stop.

The final title track opens with a breakdown, hit the pedal to metal and kicking into full gear. Ray and Jordan Smith of Nosferatu's Rest trade lines before the track leads into a groovy half time section. The song jumps into another breakdown, before yes, throw yet another breakdown right in your face. The mosh pit would be going off by now, that's one way to describe it.

A notable exclusion was the band's first ever track: Relentless. We caught up with Alec Smith to talk about it:
"Yeah sure, we left Relentless off the EP because that was the first song we ever recorded and felt we had progressed too much to put it with the new songs."

There you have it, check out their EP/Demo to decide what you think for yourself.

A solid effort for this group who is just starting out and making a name for themselves.

Rating: 7.5/10

Interview with The Lost League

It's 11pm and I'm talking to Benn Xeno (guitar, vocals) and Jimmy Clarke (guitar) from up and coming Melbourne metalcore group The Lost League. Later in the conversation we were also joined Ben McConnell (drums/percussion) and Alec Smith (bass). At the time of this interview they had not released their debut EP/demo yet, it has now been finished being record and is titled "Daywalker" you can check it out on their Facebook page.

Are you guys ready?

Xeno: We're all sweet.

What the heck, let's do it.
I'll start with the usual question to an unsigned band. How did it all start?

Jimmy: Ray and I kinda had a band going on with some friends, but after a few practises we realised we weren't doing anything. So, seeing as we were most committed we thought we would try and start something new (laughs). My girlfriend goes to Ben (McConnel)'s school, so she told me about him and how he was a crazy drummer, and Ray knew Alec through friends. We ended up just creating a group inbox with those to guys and this other dude, Alec and Ben were keen on the idea. So that was that, then Ray met Benn Xeno at Warrandyte river, when he overheard Ray talking about starting a band and needing a second guitarist (laughs).

Anyone else have anything to add?

Xeno: Nah, Jimmy pretty much covered that (laughs)

What was it like leading up to your first show, what were the initial practices like, did you have any material recorded beforehand?

Xeno: It wasn't really one of those fairy tail stories, it all kinda just fell together.

Jimmy: We were recording relentless the weekend after our first gig.

Xeno: We recorded a starting demo just to get our songs worked out and established. Leading up to our first gig I am happy with how we conducted ourselves! I pride myself on being prepared before anything we do, so we all made sure we had everything worked out. Yeah, the songs have changed since our first gig, but at the time we were all comfortable with what we had and where we were with being tight and together.
Our practices were always conducted well, we got in and did what we had to do. Because we live so far away from each other we don't get much time together, so we make sure practices were never wasted.

Seeing as Warrandyte Battle of the Bands was your first show, was there any pressure on the band, seeing as you guys are bit younger than some of the other bands that played.

Xeno: We had a lot of support from our mates, that being that Warrandyte is basically our hometown and a lot of our mates were there. Jimmy will add something here too !

Jimmy: Yep, Wazza D was our first show. I remember being at Ben's house a few hours before, just getting in a few hours of practice. During one of the songs he forgot one of the drum parts, made me fair nervous (laughs). After that it was followed by me forgetting one of my parts on the same song at the actual show (laughs). Most of the bands at the show were around the same ages as us, a couple older, so there was no real pressure about that. I was more nervous about being one of the only heavy bands at the show. But 50% of the people there were our closest mates, and I honestly think our first show couldn't have gone any better!

What was the journey like between playing your very first show and then opening up for House VS Hurricane?

Xeno: We had a lot of practice, we made sure we practiced every weekend for a good 4-5 months
As I said previously we like to be prepared, so once we found out we scored the House show, we did everything we could to further refine our set. We knew the expectations that had to be filled, and at the end of the day that's all it comes down to putting the hard hours in. House is still to date my favourite show, we made sure that we were prepared. I know we need to put so many more hours in to achieve where we want to be, but what we have achieved so far is all based on how much practice we have put in


So your motto is that hard work can get you anywhere if you put your mind to it?

Jimmy: I think bands don't do it enough these days, making a Facebook page with cool logos doesn't mean you're a band, you need to give it everything you have. We've worked so hard to be where we are now, and its only the beginning,

Hard work is a key point some musicians miss out on. That's the problem with TV talent shows like the X Factor and Australian Idol. 

Jimmy: That is truth right there, I think a lot of people really wouldn't understand behind the scenes in being a band

People think they can get on the show and if they win they will have success, without learning how to reach that point by working their way up.

Jimmy: Yeah, I mean for local bands like us to maintain our gear, playing gigs, touring and recording, its a hell of a lot. You need to be dedicated or there's no point in doing what your doing.

 I mean AC/DC even said it 40 odd years ago, it's a long way to the top if you wanna rock n'roll.

Jimmy: Yeah.

How has recording your EP/demo gone. When are you looking to release it. Is there any shows planned to promote it?

Jimmy: We went back to Parallel to record the demo, its always so much fun working with Stevie and Aaron, there amazing at what they do. If everything goes to plan, it will be out next week! No confirmed date. And no shows as of the moment.

when playing the show House, While She Sleeps, Heights and Breaking Tradition, did you get to know any of the other band members. What was the experience like?

Jimmy: We've been buds with Breaking Tradition for awhile now, there sick dudes. But as far as the touring bands, I was in a way let down, I guess some of the guys who I personally looked up to weren't what I thought they were like. That was just my opinion of it anyway

Xeno: We respect that bands like Northlane and While She Sleeps acknowledged us and gave us a shout out on stage. They were all lovely guys, they were also pretty tired and worn out so we respect that also (laughs) Touring non-stop would take it out of you !

I guess it would be hard for bigger bands to get to know the supporting band. 

Jimmy: Adrian is a real sweetie (no homo)

Who do you credit as far as influences and inspiration for your music go?

Jimmy: I guess we get influence of the other local bands around us, and just seeing them play this crazy kind of music and loving it.

So mainly local acts then? Any influence from the bigger acts like Parkway Drive etc?

Xeno: I'm self taught on guitar, and the only reason i know how to play guitar is because I made my fingers bleed every night trying to learn parkway drive songs haha, so parkway is my main influence !

Jimmy: Yeah pretty much, there cool dudes. I think every Australian band would have some sort of influence from Parkway! But Xeno is a huge Parkway fan, there has been song ideas from him that are nameless and we just refer to them as "The Parkway Song" because the riffs he writes are so alike (laughs)

Any bands outside the hardcore/metalcore scene that people wouldn't expect to have an influence on you?

Xeno: Me personally, I am influenced by bands like Bloc Party and Circa Survive and the way I write some of my melodies and harmonies are certainly influenced by those bands (laughs)

I'd like to welcome Alec (bass) to the conversation. Hey, could you tell us a bit about the plans for the band in the future, your involvement and the songwriting process? 


Alec: Well, the plans for the future for me is just to keep expanding my skills and playing shows. In regards to the band i just want to keep working and playing shows to watch it grow.
The band itself is unique in a way because we all have our different personalities and music preferences, we all love hardcore but we all have different favourite bands and certain aspects that we love about the music.
I got involved through Facebook actually, the vocalist was asking who played bass and I decided to join!
The song writing process is fairly straightforward, one of our guitarists will produce a sweet riff or song and then the rest of the band places their input until it eventually becomes a song !

I heard you guys got through to the next round at the Espy Battle of the Bands, what was that experience like?

Xeno: Getting through to the next round of the Espy has probably been one of our greatest achievements, solely because of how prestigious the Espy is. We played along side amazing bands and we made some good friends.
We were all so excited to play the gig! It means the world to us that the espy are keen to have us back for the semi final!

That's awesome guys.
Ben, let's talk more about your experience as the drummer in this band.

Ben: This band has been an amazing experience for me, not just music wise. I've met some of the best people ever and I have learnt so much. I have improved a lot with my drumming, far exceeding the expectations I had with these guys. At first I received a Facebook message from some of the band saying they wanted to start something and i was interested, it was really random at the time but i had been in many bands before this that didn't do anything and weren't committed. So it started from there and just progressed heaps, I was really excited and still am for what's to come in the future!

Any funny stories from practice or gigs?

Xeno: uhhm. The time we were playing at a mates party and a florescent light fell on my head! (laughs).
When Alec was walking around the sunburn showing, with his singlet on backwards and he didn't even realise (laughs)! When I played the last breakdown in a pit and I accidentally whacked someone in the head with the head of my guitar.

The last one there made my night, thanks guys.

Xeno: Was epic (laughs)

Ben: When Alec brought a bloody George Foreman to the studio and made a grilled cheese, and we all went to KFC (laughs all round)

Very nice, (laughs)
Do you guys ever do anything else like band movie nights to catch up when not practicing?

Xeno: It's hard for us all to get together, because I live so far away from most of the band, but we arent really band mates, we are all really good friends who play in a band together, so we always hang out and chill

This is good stuff guys. Anything more to add before I go?

Xeno: Yeah I'm happy with what we have.

We'll try to catch up with your singer Ray in the future, until then have a good one. Best of luck in the future.

Xeno: Thanks.

Download The Lost League's debut EP/demo at http://fb.com/thelostleague