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FeaturedNews
June 17, 2024
Megan Milner

HEY SMITH (JAPAN) ANNOUNCE DEBUT AUSTRALIAN HEADLINE TOUR

HEY SMITH (JAPAN)
ANNOUNCE DEBUT AUSTRALIAN
HEADLINE TOUR THIS NOVEMBER

WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
VOODOO GLOW SKULLS (USA)
AND THE RESIGNATORS

Today, Japanese punk/ska band HEY SMITH announce their debut Australian headline tour with specials guests, California punk/ska legends Voodoo Glow Skulls and Australia’s own fine purveyors of the genre The Resignators. The tour kicks off in Adelaide on November 27, heading up the east coast of Australia then culminating at the Ska Nation Festival in Colac on November 30. Full tour details below.

HEY SMITH hail from Osaka, Japan. Formed in 2006, the origin of the band name is, “SMITH” is taken from the initials of each member, and “HEY” just sounds like we’re in a good mood!

HEY SMITH incorporate horns into their upbeat, catchy melodic punk rock, a true live band who performs around 150 shows annually in Japan. The band host their own outdoor festival OSAKA HAZIKETEMAZARE FESTIVAL in Osaka every year. This band is not to be missed live!

Voodoo Glow Skulls were formed in 1988 by Eddie Casillas, Jorge Casillas, Jerry O’neill and Frank Casillas. After a few years of backyard party shows, cassette demos, 7” singles and first club gigs, they released their debut album “Who is, this is?” for Dr. Strange records in 1993, gaining the attention of Brett Gurewitz, owner of Epitaph records. The band then signed to Epitaph records and released four albums, starting in 1995 with “Firme”, their most successful album to date, then followed by “Baile de los Locos”, “Band Geek Mafia” and “Symbolic”.

The band began to tour worldwide with their first European tour in 1996 followed by Japan, Australia, Mexico, and South America. The band has been featured on several of Epitaph’s Punk-O-Rama releases and has had music featured in video games, TV and movies.

The song “Shoot the Moon” from the band’s Firme album was used in the Pauly Shoremovie Bio-Dome and the band’s version of “Used to Love Her” (originally written and recorded by Guns N’ Roses) is featured in the Mr. & Mrs. Smith soundtrack.

In 2002, Voodoo Glow Skulls signed to Victory Records. The band released three albums on the Victory label and continued to tour. In June, 2017, Frank Casillas announced his retirement from the band and was replaced by Death By Stereo vocalist Efrem Schulz.

The Resignators‘ journey is one of resilience, creativity, and a commitment to their musical vision. With a dedicated fan base, a solid discography, and an unwavering passion for their craft, The Resignators remain an essential part of Australia’s diverse musical landscape. As they continue to evolve and inspire, their music serves as a testament to the enduring power of ska-punk fusion.

FOCUS MUSIC GROUP & UPBEAT SOUNDS PRESENTS
HEY SMITH Japan)
with special guests
Voodoo Glow Skulls (USA) + The Resignators (Melb)

Wednesday November 27 The Gov – Adelaide, Tickets
Thursday November 28 Brightside – Brisbane, Tickets
Friday November 29 Factory Floor – Sydney, Tickets
Saturday November 30 Ska Nation Festival / Colac Showgrounds – Colac, Tickets

Tickets on sale Thursday June 20 from 9am local time.

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FeaturedNews
June 5, 2024
Megan Milner

Japan’s toe Announce Australia + New Zealand Tour for October 2024

Bird’s Robe is thrilled to announce the debut Australia and New Zealand tour of acclaimed Japanese post-rock/math band, toe, this coming October.

toe, known globally for their extraordinary musicianship, have been a major influence in the experimental rock scene for the past two decades. Their tracks and live performances have left a remarkable imprint on the sound of countless bands around the world.

The timing of their debut Australia and New Zealand coincides with the announcement toe is releasing their 4th full album, NOW I SEE THE LIGHT in July 2024, six years since their last EP, Our Latest Number.

Performing alongside toe on this momentous-math-instrumental occasion will be the incredible Dumbsaint, making their highly anticipated return to the stage.

Adding to the hype of toe’s first-ever Australia and New Zealand shows, this tour marks an emotional reunion for Dumbsaint. Referencing toe’s “The Book…” as the source of inspiration that led the band towards an instrumental approach, drummer Nick Andrews revealed that the upcoming tour symbolises a full circle moment for the band:

“In 2008, our first and only singer had quit the band. Unsure of how to best move forward, I suggested we embrace the idea of going instrumental with the songs we had already written.

Collectively unsure that this idea would work, it wasn’t until I walked into Egg Records and heard Toe’s ‘The Book…’ playing over the PA, that everything fell into place. Instantly captivated by their storytelling and musicianship, Toe’s discography became a gateway, providing us with a blueprint to aspire to.

And here we are 16 years later. This tour represents a full circle moment for us, and the right time to close ‘The Book…’ on this chapter of the band. Hopefully see you there.”

– Nick

Don’t miss out on this historical tour, which is set to be one of the biggest highlights in the experimental rock calendar for 2024.

TOE AUSTRALIA + NEW ZEALAND TOUR 2024 WITH DUMBSAINT

Thursday, 17 October, 2024 – The Triffid (Brisbane, QLD) – TICKETS

Friday, 18 October, 2024 – Manning Bar (Sydney, NSW) – TICKETS

Saturday, 19 October, 2024 – Max Watts (Melbourne, VIC) – TICKETS

Tuesday, 22 October, 2024 – Galatos (Aukland, NZ)* – Tickets Available Friday

Wednesday, 23 October, 2024 – Meow (Wellington, NZ)* – Tickets Available Friday

*Dumbsaint not appearing

ABOUT BIRD’S ROBE:

Bird’s Robe is Australia’s leading global promoters for experimental rock music, steering tours and album releases for a wide array of emerging and established artists. Our main focus is to connect audiences to boundary-pushing music, holding an unrelenting commitment to innovation and artistic integrity.

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