As many No Echo readers probably already know, every year I keep a running Spotify playlist with a track from each new hardcore release as they drop. I discover tons of bands that way, and it's how I first came across Shove.
The Melbourne, Australia-based hardcore punk quartet has been around for a few years, and founding members Bella (vocals) and Adrian (guitars) have solidified the current lineup of the band with the addition of Hamish on drums and Elsa on bass guitar.
"It’s slowly getting more and more unhinged and we sound totally different to when we first started out," Bella tells No Echo. "I think in part due to the lineup changes, us figuring out how to play the music we want to play and a combination of our collective and individual influences.
"Julian from Drunken Sailor—who’s putting out our record—recently described it as 'blistering hardcore and paint-stripping killer,' so take from that what you will. The thing I like about Shove is that it’s all really no holds barred - whether that’s during songwriting, recording or playing live. I always try to leave nothing left and think the guys are the same."
With their debut album, Agency, set to release next month, Shove teamed up with Lance from Short Sharp Shock who directed a music video for the track "King Diamond" that sets a nighmarish tone:
"Agency was recorded by Paul Maybury at a studio called A Secret Location, all totally live except for vocals," says Bella. "It was just this huge room filled with instruments, guitars, pianos, miscellaneous percussion, old amps and speakers. A few old couches sat in the middle and we recorded just off to the side. No headphones and straight to tape that was then automatically transferred onto the digital desk. It just worked and it was easy, the band could see each other and worked off eachother, it made a big difference.
"Lyrically, the album revolves around themes of social distortion and mental dislocation, protesting the universal blight that is the patriarchy whilst challenging complacency - both societal and internal. It’s not a happy album, no odes to unrequited love or reminiscing ballads."
Bella is passionate about the local scene Shove is part of in and around Melbourne. "We’re lucky to exist in a strong, supportive and talented community of creative people. Whether it’s the people who are performing or the people showing up to gigs, or those busting their asses to put on events, release records and film, photograph, illustrate or contribute in some other way. Whatever it is you want to do or however you want to do it, people will show up for it and for you.
"Bands like Sepsis, No Future, Cherish, Hacker, Swab, Phantasm, Future Suck, Serpette, Jalang, Vampire, Kissland to name a few. These are the bands I listen to and go see and think fuck, that’s it."
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Agency will be released on September 6th via Rack Off Records (Australia pre-order) and Drunken Sailor Records (international pre-order).
Shove on social media: Facebook | Instagram
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