If you are looking for a cool new band that “sounds a little bit like everyone but exactly like no one,” (Matthew Nichols), than hardcore/punk group Mindset are the end to your search. Vocalist Matthew Nichols provided us with an inside look into the world of an up and coming hardcore/punk band from Melbourne, Australia.
Any National tour plans in the works?
Yes, we are currently planning a run of interstate shows for around September/October.
We love ‘Midnight Sky’, how has the reception been since its release?
Cheers! It’s been good. So far the reviews have been positive plus a bunch of internet/blog dudes seem fairly stoked on it. Right now we are all looking forward to getting on tour asap.
In the future is it going to be just the two of you doing all of the song writing or are you going to let others in the tight knit circle?
We’ve just started writing some new songs that we’ve been working on together more as a band. Chaz is still going to write a majority of the music but the other dudes definitely are going to be involved how it all comes together.
Coming from Tasmania (the place that people forget when they sketch a map of Australia) must have had its difficulties trying to get your music heard?
Our progress with building a following here was pretty gradual at first. We started playing in Melbourne early 2008, looking back it was a really cool time. Venues we’ve now played ten or so times were completely new to us and were lucky and got on shows with some good bands such as: Fuck it I Quit, Face Eater, The Seduction & The Abandonment that are now long dead.
How do you find living in Melbourne (The city that pops out a new band weekly it seems)?
Melbourne is great. It’s been 4 years now and I haven’t looked back.
You manage to create songs that are based around darker issues but still have an upbeat sound and feel. Was that part of the plan?
You could say Mindset is a band that sounds a little bit like everyone but exactly like no one and that’s something I’m cool with. Hardcore unfortunately can be very trend based. You see dudes in bands that frequently change their music style, and image, to a pretty drastic extent just so they can run with whatever cool new trend is happening in the US. I’m proud that we have never run our band in that way. As far as the lyrics go; I just tried my best to avoid the typical hardcore clichés and just talk honestly about stuff that was real to me.
How does it feel being added to the Pee Records roster alongside some of Australia’s best up and coming hardcore/punk bands?
It’s been awesome working with Pete. There are some rad bands on his label and it’s definitely been a big positive for us to being a part of things.
Who are your favourite Australian bands/artists?
Mindsnare, Miles, 10 Paces and Fistmouth. Also shout out to Melbourne bands, Ill Vision, Our Solace, Cavalcade and Apart from This.
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