Queensland punk rockers The Wolston Butchers last graced the pages of WoS with their skate anthem 'Blokes Of The World' and they're back at it again with their latest offering 'Play These Games', which finds the band honing in on their electrifying guitar riffs, action packed drums and punky demeanour. It wouldn't sound too out of place on one of the upcoming Tony Hawk Pro Skater remasters and will bridge the gap between punk and hardcore fans.
On the song, vocalist/guitarist Tom Roedder shares:
"This song is a collaboration between a lot of old and new ideas. It’s a mix from all styles and blends them together vocally and musically. The direction of this song when we went into the studio, is where it wanted it to go, we just threw our ideas into the mixing pot and this is what came out."
The band are also riding on the success of their last single ‘Live Dead, Die Fast!’ going viral amassing a whopping 144,000+ views on YouTube - something Tom and the lads are still wrapping their heads around.
“We still can’t believe what happened with the previous single... It’s what every musician dreams of happening. The pressure is on now though to follow it up. I think ‘Play These Games’ is up to the challenge”
Something tells us they're well on their way, but before we move on, we asked the band to take us through their Top 7 Aussie Punk/Hardcore Records which helped define the genre and in some way shaped their own sound in its current form...
Frenzal Rhomb - A Man’s Not A Camel
This album is a punk guitarists wet dream. The production is slick, and the bass playing is face melting. It's such a sing along album too.
Grinspoon - Guide to Better Living
We are all obviously into Grinspoon. It's one of the reasons that we did our cover of 'More Than You Are' last year (see below). The beefiness of the guitars on this album is next level. That album had a way of being simple in the best possible way and showed that songs didn't need to be super flashy to be addictive and ear wormy.
Violent Soho – Hungry Ghost
I can still remember the first time I saw and heard ‘Covered in Chrome;’ it was basically a revelation in my journey as a musician. Hungry Ghost hits you right in the feels, with chillers like ‘Fur Eyes’ and ‘OK Cathedral,’ then smacks you in the face with 'Gold Coast' and 'Eightfold'. When I listen to Hungry Ghost now, it takes me back to simpler times; skating and hanging out with friends and enjoying good music, music that makes you feel something special every time.
Speed - Only One Mode
This album hits super hard and pretty much sets the standard for modern Australian hardcore. I found their rise through the ranks to be really inspiring too. If I'm in the mood to listen to something bloody heavy, this is what I'm putting on. 'The First Test' is my favourite track.
Living End – Self Titled
Chris Cheney is a guitar genius and one of my heroes. The Living End take their songs in directions I wouldn't ever think to go. From the production to the songwriting this album doesn't let up from the first note.
Clowns - Bad Blood
It sounds like a live record because of the energy it has. Everything in the album sounds so real and raw. Unlike so many records these days it sounds like a band.
Pagan - Black Wash
Pagan are a truly original band and I wish there was more of them to listen to. I’m not sure what to say other than I love this record. Truly inspiring.
A killer list that would make for a kick ass All-Aussie festival one day [RIP Soho and Pagan].
Words by The Wolston Butchers
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Spin 'Play These Games' here
