Obviously the huge news surrounding this band is that they are about to head out on a US tour. But not any ol’ US tour. How bout a tour with The Dropkick Murphys and Frank Turner including a St. Patricks Day show in Boston. Now that’s fucken huge.

But aside from that it was a great chance to get a bit of an insight into the world of celtic rock in Australia that seems to be coming on in leaps and bounds lately.

The big 3-0 is coming soon. Keep an eye out.

Video below won’t play? Youtube version is here.

D.I.Wireless FEST OR BUST Trailer from D.I.Wireless on Vimeo.

What better way to hang with some like-minded people on the weekend. With any luck a show will start in the corner of the room.

Go. I would be if I was in the same hemisphere.

PS – If someone could be on the lookout for a Milo bobblehead and ‘Not So Tough Now’ on vinyl it would be greatly appreciated. Maybe an old BF shirt too.

Interview: Nope   Tracks: Mid Youth Crisis, Jack Flash, The Dopamines

It’s been over a year since we’ve had the chance to play a solid block of tunes on the show that haven’t been selected by our guests. Too long really and it would be cool to get back to this format more often.

So Episode 29 contains a bunch of tunes I have been listening too lately, most off them from our awesome experiences at Fest 10. There is lots more that we will wait to play until the FEST OR BUST videos are done.

Episode 29 also sees the debut of our new and completely unoriginal segment where we dip into those boxes of CDs under your bed and pluck some older tracks to play. The segment has been dubbed ‘SHUFFLETOWN’ – dedicated to those times your too lazy to pick and album and good ol’ shuffle unearths some beauties. Hope you enjoy this episodes picks…it was fun plucking them to play.

Back with an interview next episode, enjoy this mix in the meantime. Peace.

Hit the iTunes button to get the episode on your ‘Pod or just play/download below.

Episode 29 Playlist: Public Domain: The Dopamines/Expect the Worse/Paper and Plastick — Mid Youth Crisis: M.Y.C/Live at the Arthouse/Life Time — Watermark: The Weakerthans/Left and Leaving/Anti — Spooky, Scary: Spraynard/Funtitled/Asian Man — Queensbury Rules: Jack Flash/Jack Flash/Self Released — Time Just Keeps…: Iron Chic/Not Like This/Dead Broke — From the Start: One Dollar Short/From the Start/Self Released — AFI: The Prayer Position/Black Sails in the Sunset/Nitro — Eveready: H2O/Thicker than Water/Epitaph — The Eveolution Will be Tele-Visualized: Dead to Me/Moscow Penne Ante/Fat Wreck — New Theatre for the Common Man: Weak Teeth/What a Plague You Are/Flannel Gurl — Campaign…: Bomb the Music Industry!/Vacation/Quote Unquote

Intro: Lifer One 80 Down  Photo: Tantrum Imagery

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.

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.

Back in the episode interview chair…and it feels so good. Actually, I sat on the floor to record this one…

Episode 28 of course features an interview with Wil Wagner, frontman of The Smith Street Band from Melbourne, Victoria. In June they released an album many in Australia (and I mean MANY) claimed was one of their favourites of the year – and rightly so.

I had been fascinated with this band and it’s enigmatic but jolly frontman since seeing them live for the first time last year.

Have a listen to hear what Wil has to say about the big year the band has had and why they don’t plan on slowing down, how he has put together such an impressive catalogue at just 21 years of age, those constant drug references, and hear him talk about and play some of his own favourite music of 2011.

Speaking to Wil about music has reaffirmed my opinion that the The Smith Street band is probably headed for much bigger things…whatever that means. A big thanks to Wil for the interview and of course the rest of the band for such a great album.

To get the episode on you ‘Pod use the iTunes button on the right – or just play/download below.

Episode 28 Playlist:  Rooftops: The Smith Street Band/Noone Gets Lost Anymore/Poison City — Queen of Hearts: Fucked Up/David Comes to Life/Matador — Eggs: Milhouse/Everythings Coming Up/Self Released — Resilient Bastard: RVIVR/Dirty Water/Rumbletowne — When I was a Boy…: The Smith Street Band/Noone Gets Lost Anymore/Poison City.

Intro: Lifer/One 80 Down  Photo: Andy Johnson

Hot off the heels (like less than 24 hours) of being voted by national Australian punk/hardcore radio show Short Fast Loud as one of the top 20 albums of the year, episode 28 features a chat with The Smith Street Band. The album of course is the excellent ‘Nobody Gets Lost Anymore‘.

An amazing combination of clever, honest songwriting, something a little unique but still catchy as fuck, and a kick arse live show are what make these guys worth checking out. Can’t wait for you all to hear the interview…