Let’s get this shitshow on the road for 2012. Our first update of the year is a new ‘Shoot the Shit’ with Hoodlum Shouts from Canberra/Melbourne.

My first reaction when I heard about this band? Like others I guess…’Who the fuck is Hoodlum Shouts’? But I’m glad I checked them out to say the least and hope you will too. They have a new album coming out in March and their straight to the point, no bullshit answers in this interview (just like their tunes) make me even more intrigued about the release and what it holds.

If it’s anything like the song below which I have been cranking lately it should be good. Check out a track below and our ‘Shoot the Shit’ interview here.

Not too sure how much of this has filtered through to Australia but obviously it is big news on this continent right now. But because the interweb knows no borders this would have a very big impact back home.

I have always been aware that D.I.Wireless operates as blatant copyright infringement and it’s own form of piracy. But I have always justified it in that all I ever wanted to do is promote the people and music that motivate me in life. Very small peanuts compared to the impact of other more direct infringements…

I have always believed in supporting artists financially so they can continue making great art. I have also come to understand the other side of the coin along the lines of Mr Ian Mckayes ’100 people hear my songs rather than 100 bucks in my pocket’. I also like the idea of turning the whole fucking thing off.

Either way this Bill in the US is scary not just for musicians but more importantly for freedom of speech that can impact social and political agendas worldwide. You can read about it in the links below.

While Americans have to act, as Aussies we should just be aware. As you always should be anyway…on anything.

Google article
Access Now Human Rights article

Looking back, this really has been an awesome year. I love these lists and have read a bunch of them already. I even submitted some of my thoughts for the masses here.
But here is a bit more on how I look back on stuff:

D.I.WIRELESS TOP 5 RECORDS

1. Noone Gets Lost Anymore : The Smith Street Band – It’s just a great album. Nuff said. Check out an interview in Episode 28.
2. If Only Just to Hold : Army of Champions – Yes, these guys are my brothers. But if this EP was written by a bunch of fuckwits, I’d still have listened to over and over.
3. Elsie : The Horrible Crowes – Was sceptical after the hype, listened to it very late, now I love it. Walk in the rain to it…trust me. Awwww.
4. Down The Road Compilation : Antics International – Remember compilations? I do and just like back in the day, I loved this one and discovered a some rad Aussie and Asian bands. There should be more of this.
5. Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes : Social Distortion – It’s Social D.

Very honourable mentions to: Nothington, Timeshares, One Win Choice, The Copyrights, Bullet Bane, Headaches, Milestones.

I’m still to hear but look forward too: Luca Brasi, Driven Fear, Dead To Me, Restorations, The Outsiders, Spraynard.

When I got asked about these lists I realised the so many of the records I loved this year were actually from 2010. So be sure to check out last years releases from OFF!, Carpenter, Trash Talk, The Dopamines, Garage Fuzz and The Menzingers.

D.I.WIRELESS TOP 5 SHOWS

1. Everything @ Fest 10, Gainesville - I mean it. Fucking everything.
2. SNFU @ Funky Winterbeans, Vancouver – Had a stoopid smile on my face the whole time.
3. Tim Barry @ the alley outside Rosies, Brisbane – Pfft. Fire alarms can’t stop this man.
4. Contrahorden HC Fest II @ Some warehouse in Peru – This shit was crazy. Seriously.
5. Double Dagger @ Charm City Artspace, Baltimore - You’ll have to watch FEST OR BUST to find out why.

That’s enough. See you next year for more goodness. Thank you so much to all this year’s guests and anyone who has supported us or the show in any way. You know who you are. Peace.

Having sorted out the homeless and jobless scenario I am (very) slowly going through the FEST OR BUST footage. This is gonna take a while…

But one of my favourite memories will always be seeing our new friends from Philly, One Win Choice, close Fest 10 out at The Laboratory by covering ‘New Noise’. It’s true when they say getting out of the bigger venues to witness great sets in the smaller venues is important. This video proves it.

I didn’t film any full songs from bands at Fest for to a bunch of reasons…but I filmed this one. Didn’t get it all…but you get the point. I have watched this over an over and it keeps bringing a smile to my face.

More from D.I.Wireless as we get settled again but for the moment enjoy…

Well Fest 10 is a wrap. Words seriously can’t describe this weekend, not here anyway. But more than that the people we have met and the things experienced on the FEST OR BUST TOUR will stay with us forever. That sounds a bit wanky…but true.

Can’t thank enough all the bands and people that took part in interviews, gave us a place to sleep or fed us. Please do yourself a favor and check out their music – their are links in each of the FEST OR BUST posts. We saw all of them play this weekend and it was seriously good stuff.

Things will be a little quiet at D.I.Wireless for a while - below is what I will be doing for the glorious Vancouver Winter. See you in Spring. Hopefully a couple of new episodes in between. Thanks for hanging through FEST OR BUST. It’s been real…

See you in Spring...

There is no way I am going to spend Fest in front of this screen. Be back when the chaos subsides. It’s been amazing…and it hasn’t even started.

So what’s in Orlando besides theme parks and punk rock shows. Anyone?

Another morning starts in a empty carpark. This time woken by security telling us to get the fuck out…but in a very polite Floridian way.

It’s weird I haven’t thought too much about Fest for me personally until about halfway through this trip, even after talking to everyone else about it. I still don’t know what the schedule is. Had just dedicated so much time to trying to make FEST OR BUST work. But that changed after crossing the border and the long drive down to Orlando. I thought about it a lot.

Also realised we are about to embark on 3 nights straight of Pre-fest shows before heading straight into 3 days of Fest. Beautiful and tragic…but that is what we are fucking here for and turns out everyone round here is in the same boat.

The Slow Death @ Uncle Lou's, Orlando. Fucking great fun.

First show of our Orlando visit was in a tiny bar called Uncle Lou’s. Chatted to Jeff from local band Go Rydell and Eavesdroppers who were playing the show with the Fest-bound tour of Arms Aloft and The Slow Death. I mean it when I say all bands were excellent.

Jeff woke me up to exactly how crazy things start getting in Florida cities around Fest-time when he said the street we were on had about 4 venues within a few blocks, ALL hosting shows for basically the next 4 nights straight…then some after. It’s seriously fucking Christmas around here.

Mikey Erg does solo stuff now and it's cool...

Turns out The Slow Death features Patty from Dillinger Four and Mikey Erg from who else, but the Ergs. Mikey also played a solo set. Bigtime singsongs and people were loving it. Chatted to him on camera (great dude, great songs) and then hung out while Patty insisted on buying shots across the road…so we drank on… Apparently I am the worst human being ever and no-one in Australia wants D4 to tour. I call bullshit on both.

The next night is a ‘see a shitload of awesome bands now so we don’t have to worry about them at Fest’ show at Wills pub, just a few meters down the street from last night. The show features The Menzingers, The Flatliners and Broadway Calls. UK band Leagues Apart were a surprise packet and we now have their entire discography to enjoy. What a fucken rad show.

Menzingers @ Wills Pub

For FEST OR BUST we chat to Chris and Jeff from local Orlando outfit Go Rydell. More champions. They put on a great show (go Lifetime covers) and had plenty to say about how they are proud to be involved with hopefully building a bit of momentum for not just their band but the Orlando scene in general. Plenty of Fest tips as well. Chris thinks me and camera person are ‘cute’. Great dudes.

Jeff and Chis. Thanks fellas.

Other than an amazing show we were also on the hunt for a lift to Fest the next day as our beloved van ‘Ellen’ was leaving us (we miss her). So since I am not the outgoing type at all I took a punt on wearing a sign around my neck instead – saying we needed a ride. If people wanted to offer it to us…great. If not fuck it. We were close on hooking up a couple of rides but couldn’t quite get the schedule right then I get a tap on the shoulder at the merch table and an offer for a ride. The conversation kinda goes like this.

Dude: Yeah, I have to head up tomorrow and I am driving by myself so you are more than welcome to come.
Me: Awesome, thanks so much man. When were you thinking on going?
Dude: Well I have to head up about noon caus my band is playing up there tomorrow.
Me: Cool, which band?
Dude: Off With Their Heads.
Me: (Silence)
Converstation continues a little longer…
Dude: Yeah, I’ll be around most of the weekend caus I am playing in another band as well.
Me: Cool, who’s that with?
Dude: Dear Landlord
Me: Holy shit.

It worked...

Those that know me know these are two bands I have come across in the past few years that I have REALLY enjoyed. So we line things up with our new mate Zac (thanks soooo much, man). We’re here….

Roughly three and a half hours into Valdosta, Georgia. We definitely knew we were in the bible belt heading here. Massive stars and stripes waving over the interstates. Lots of farmland. Lots of Jebus praising.

Obviously the highlight and the reason for the trip here was rocking round to Jon from Ninja Gun’s house to shoot an interview. Totally laid back guy and happy to chat with us about all sorts of shit.

Jonathon from Ninja Gun

The band has been based in the town basically it’s whole life but almost called Gainesville home due to the fact they had built such strong ties with the town over the years…and it was actually closer than Atlanta.

I knew they had played it a bit but I didn’t realise Ninja Gun have played all but two Fests, so another great person to give us some back history of how things have evolved and what was great about the event. But what was really cool was Jon’s views on how he could link the positive music he had been around and created over the last 10 years with the history of rock and roll in the area.

Their album Restless Rubes is fucking rad by the way. Just another set to try and make this weekend…fuck.

It was always a little up in the air whether we took the long road through Atlanta or the easy road through South Carolina. So stoked we headed west though.

Although the city was a bit of a ghostown when we headed in after another night with Ellen in a quiet street in East Atlanata. We just figured they were all the ‘Homecoming’ football game for Georgia State. What the fuck is homecoming anyway?

Occupy Atlanta - the funkiest yet...trust me.

But all was right when we headed into a tiny but cool venue just near where we had the van called 529. Now we had been a bit unlucky crossing paths with a few tours but this time we managed to catch Cobra Skulls and Nothington do a fucking great job. The local acts – who’s names escape me other than Bad Mammals  - were on it.

Nothington@529 in Atlanta. I sang.

We ‘officially’ chatted to Jay from Nothington and unofficially to Ryan and the Cobra Skulls fellas. Great sets too. People went pretty nuts including me. Jay is actually from Atlanta originally and played in front of his parents and in the city for the first time in 5 years. I would have thought lots of bands would hit ATL after what I saw at the show.

Then we went all TMZ when Andre 3000 just rolled up to check out the last set of the night. Talking to a local dude, apparently it’s not uncommon for Andre to just rock up to local bars (at 2am) to catch whatever is on. Pretty fucking rad. Met him a little later – nice guy. Should have talked more about Semi-Pro”.

Our TMZ jon on Andre 3000. Jay was stoked.

Next stop was a catchup with Witt, Steve and Dianna of Atlanta band The Wild. They took us in, had some awesome vegan hotdogs, we chatted on camera and off. Witt’s Springsteen worship even outweighs mine – we are talking tattoo’s and front row clothing exchanges.

Steve, Witt and Dianna from The Wild. Thanks!

These guys have achieved heaps in the short 3 years they have been together and I can’t wait to give their latest realease a spin on the 4 hour drive tomorrow. Thanks so much guys.

We drove a bit today. Like 6 hours. We ate stale breadrolls and two-minute noodles. We bought 8 lighters for $1.87. There is a wasted white girl next to me in MacDonalds. I reckon she drove here. We are sleeping in a carpark somewhere tonight. Come say hello. Unless you are the cops.