ALTHOUGH their average age is only about 21, members of NIHILIST might be considered seniors in the world of hardcore.
Newcastle is experiencing a growth in the number of hardcore bands on the scene, such as ARM'S REACH, FOUND MY DIRECTION and BARE KNUCKLE FIGHT, whose members are in their late teens.
Both Arm's Reach and Bare Knuckle Fight can be seen at an all-ages gig this Friday night at the BLACK BOX, Newcastle Community Arts Centre, in Parry St, with VOICE OF DISSENT (Geelong), ONE STEP AHEAD (Sydney) and THE PACT (Wollongong).
Later on Friday night, around 9.30pm at the Hunter On Hunter, Newcastle 'extreme metal' band CHAINSAW LOBOTOMY playing for the first time in two years, joins Nihilist and Sydney extreme metal acts HA, VOLATILE and MISCREATION. For the past five years (from left) Nihilist drummer MURRAY RUSE, guitarist MICHAEL PRYOR and bass player TOM BYRNE have been belting out a raw brand of 'grindy' high energy original music.
Their sound differs from the current crop in its dynamics, with fast songs and slower ones which equal the usual hardcore offerings that are high in velocity and volume.
All members write and sing the songs they write with a 'personal and political' slant.
In a fortnight the band will release its latest seven-inch vinyl recording, ANOTHER LESSON IN CONTEMPT, containing seven tracks at six minutes of music a side.
The 33rpm release packs plenty of music onto such a small slice of vinyl, which the band has produced at a higher cost than CDs, and which will sell for $5 each.
'I just suppose it's a resistance to technology,' Ruse said of the band's decision to release on vinyl.
The record will be available from gigs and by mail order from Sydney's CHAOTIC THOUGHTS label.
Entertainment manager of the Hunter On Hunter for the past seven years, FRANK WELCH, said hardcore bands were the second most popular act behind techno music at the venue.
'They get into it and jump around and have a good time, but they're a pretty peaceful bunch and they don't cause any trouble for the hotel.'
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