ASSASSINS JUST RELEASED A NEW TRACK AND WE'RE PRETTY NOSEY OVER HERE AT WIZARD WATER, WE THOUGHT WE'D DIVE RIGHT IN.
SINGLE NAME IS - DREAMTIME- LISTEN HERE
Assassins is a genuine three-piece rock band hailing from Melbourne. Originally formed in the 80s, they were an integral part of the vibrant pub rock scene that defined an era. While they might not have a catalog of hits from those days, since 2016, Assassins have been tirelessly honing their sound, blending decades of life experiences and musical influences into their work. Known for their unwavering passion and high-energy live performances, Assassins' recordings capture the raw, authentic essence of their stage presence, delivering a powerful rock experience that resonates with audiences old and new.
Let's dive in!
TRACK REVIEW
"Dreamtime" by Assassins is a nostalgic yet fresh dive into the classic Aussie pub rock scene, embodying everything we miss about the 80s while infusing it with contemporary flair. From the very first note, the song captures the essence of that era, driven by powerful riffs and a pulsating bassline that set the stage for an evolving, exhilarating chorus.
The chorus offers a wonderful release, blending seamlessly with harmonies that bring to mind the dynamic energy of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. This track doesn't just rely on nostalgia; it elevates it with modern production and a fresh perspective, making it both a tribute and a standout on its own.
One of the standout moments in "Dreamtime" is the bridge. Here, the song breaks down into an impressive drum solo, showcasing the band's tightness and skill. This moment of instrumental prowess brings everything back together in unison for the final chorus, creating a powerful and cohesive climax.
Lyrically, "Dreamtime" is introspective, focusing on themes of looking forward and closing out the past. It's a message that resonates deeply, delivered with the raw emotion and authenticity that Assassins are known for.
In essence, "Dreamtime" is a testament to Assassins' enduring passion and energy. It's a track that not only reflects their rich history but also highlights their growth and evolution. Whether you're a longtime fan of Aussie pub rock or new to the scene, this song is sure to leave a lasting impression. Great job, team!
Can you tell us about the evolution of Assassins from the 80s pub rock scene to your current sound?
When we started playing live in the 80s, Andrew the drummer was 15 and Craig the guitarist was 16, fortunately I was 20 with a car and some income. We just kept trying to better learn our instruments and watch and learn from those bands above us. We were blessed to see some of the great Australian bands playing live (Oils, INXS, Angels, Divinyls, Matt Finish, Spy Vs Spy and many many more) and being right up the front!!. We practiced and lived together so our lives were just rock'n'roll non-stop. Through sheer perseverance (e.g. like going to the Prospect Hill Pub every night, month on month and waiting the whole evening to talk to the owner at 2am to ask for a major support gig lol) We started to pick up some good support gigs and exposure over time. Our songs started to mature and a certain guitar sound and energy became ours. Due to many different life pressures and circumstances Assassins parted ways in late 1988. Our lives and living locations felt like we were scattered to the wind. I think since being back together, having lived a lot of life we have sense of purpose to evolve musically. It's exciting and challenging to create new music. We were lucky to have been part of the 80s but its 2024 and have our eyes set on today and tomorrow.
How did the chance meeting of Craig, Andrew, and Eddie in 2015 lead to the formation of Assassins?
Andrew and Eddie stayed in touch but as Eddie left Australia with work in 1994 he would see Andrew maybe once every 12-18 months. Eddie returned to live in Australia in 2010 with his family. Andrew and Eddie enjoyed talking about all things music but without Craig there were no thoughts of Assassins. Craig found Andrew through a friend and we decided to catch up for a beer and a few laughs. Somehow we decided it would be a bit of fun to dust off the instruments, find a rehearsal room and make some noise just for fun!. After stumbling through a few songs we suddenly hit a moment when the sound that was gone for 20+ years suddenly emerged. We decided to pursue this sound as it felt compelling to do so. We persisted, grew and evolved our sound from there. We had no previous 'hits' or fan base to start from so it was ground zero and onwards and upwards in a social media connected world that was a far cry from putting up posters and handing out cassette tapes!! But WTF let's do this!!
With decades of life experiences and musical influences, how do you approach song writing as a band?
Music, bands, sounds and experiences told us to celebrate the past but the reality is you just want to move forward as a person and musically there has been a couple of decades of new sounds that just move your musical spirit inside. We accepted where our roots were and wanted to remain authentic and not try to be anything else, somehow that's what you learn in life's journey and we started to create what sounded good and reflected what we like to play. The song writing approach is very much to bring a riff , a beat , groove to the rehearsal and we create from there. We create new songs and have culled older songs as they need to stand up on their own merits as we continue to evolve Assassins.
Your music has been described as a "wall of guitar sound" with a proto-punk rhythm section. How do you balance this raw energy with the lyrical content of your songs?
We have learned to use light, shade and space with our songs (and we continue learning everyday), We want the energy to be released and expressed not just in volume but as a blend of sound with the vocals and lyrics telling a story in a simple way.
Could you share some insight into your creative process when writing and recording new material?
This can be a riff or complete song written on either guitar or bass, we discuss the vibe of the song, direction, light, shade and space. We will play with a simple structure and with verse / chorus but then work on any breaks, repeats and changes.
We have recorded with long time mate Peter 'Reggie' Bowman who has 35 years experience in the business. He's our brother that knows us and guides us from the heart. The process is very focussed and usually pretty fast paced. We rehearse well before recording so come in ready to go so the magic has time to get added not wasting time on the fundamentals
Assassins have released several EPs and singles since 2016. Can you tell us about the themes or concepts that tie these releases together?
We thought about titles in the concept of where we are at musically and as a band, Confidence because we were becoming confident of what we were doing but not cocky in anyway, Substance was the next EP and that was because we felt that our music was starting to demonstrate some substance to it. Once again not a cocky view but an affirmation of where we are at musically. I am sure we will have a few more to come !!!
How do you ensure that your recordings capture the same energy and passion as your live performances?
It's the honesty and authenticity in your recording. We challenge ourselves with 'Is what we record doable live? That's a must.
Recording is a process of layering up to the complete song but delivering each part with a dose of feel and passion is where the magic happens!
As a band with the motto "Go Hard or Go Home," how do you maintain that unwavering passion and energy during your live shows?
We approach every gig as a once in a lifetime opportunity. You ask yourself how you want to feel at the end of the show and then give it a big crack. Big audience, small audience does not matter. There are no forever's in life so it's about giving your best for each other in the band and the audience. Of course not every gig always goes as planned but if you have given it a crack it's okay! No half measures because what would be the point of just going through the motions, hence 'Go Hard or Go Home'
What are some of the major supports and gigs that have been highlights for Assassins throughout your career?
In the early days it was sharing the stage with some great artists as diverse as Ignatius Jones (RIP), No Fixed Address, Steven Cummings. It was a real buzz knowing that the stages we played on, bands like Midnight Oil, The Cure, The Church etc had played the nights before. We were never in that league but still a great feeling.
In recent times we have supported Sarah Macleod (Super Jesus), Spy Vs Spy, The Radiators and Reggae Spys (Craig Bloxom) and hopefully more to come very soon. Our approach to supporting the major acts is to make sure we do our best to contribute to the show, through our performance, promoting the event and ensuring we are on and off stage with the minimum of fuss. We are not the headline act and respect what we need to do for the show's success.
Looking forward, what are your aspirations for Assassins as a three-piece rock band, both locally and internationally?
We have plans for Assassins to tour throughout Australia and definitely make it overseas but it will take a lot of time, effort and support to achieve this. Back in the 80s the bands we knew were doing 300 gigs a year (not necessarily making any money) but it was possible. In today's environment it is not a reality so we will need to work, plan and persevere to get the most out of every opportunity. We are a 3 piece rock band, we are 'brothers' we are blessed!!
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