TheDeathSet Include Canada As Part Of Worldwide Tour
Friday May 16, 2008 @ 06:00 PM
By: ChartAttack.com Staff

TheDeathSet (photo by Frank Hamilton)

People relocate to different cities to better their careers all the time. However, few do it with the ardor that TheDeathSet did as they were attempting to get their act off the ground. After forming in 2005 in Gold Coast, Australia, the duo of Johnny Siera and Beau Velasco relocated to Sydney, then to Brooklyn, N.Y. and finally to Baltimore, Md. to find the right scene to foster their unique brand of spastic, electro-infused punk.

“I think the U.S. — due to its population, geography and already existing D.I.Y. network — definitely makes existing and succeeding as an underground band much easier,” says guitarist Siera.

The “do it yourself” mentality has been a driving force behind TheDeathSet since their inception, and they’re very proud of what they’ve achieved thus far on their own. Their tireless efforts caught the attention of Ninja Tune, which released the band’s Worldwide full-length debut through its Counter Records rock imprint in April. They were first introduced to the label through good friends Spank Rock. After later posting a blog entry on their website seeking some small labels to issue limited edition vinyl, Ninja Tune pitched the idea of putting something out on Counter.

“From the start we have been very D.I.Y. and in complete control of our entire aesthetic, as there was no one to do it except ourselves,” explains Siera. “So being a part of this D.I.Y. movement and having integrity is very important to me.

“Counter are rad and have been fully supportive of this while helping us take things to the next level. There has been nothing manufactured about this band. It is the result of a lot of hard grassroots work. Before we even released this record, we played over 200 shows in 12 different countries. To get to where we are today, coming from an Australian town, we had to overcome so many insane challenges, and it was a real lesson in positivity.”

Worldwide was written by Siera and Velasco between late 2005 and 2007 in both Australia and the U.S. It was recorded at the band’s artist warehouse space in Baltimore. Sticking with the short, speedy cuts presented on their previous EPs and singles, the disc tears through 18 hyperactive tracks in less than a half-hour.

“I like this record because I felt it gave us more of an opportunity to expand upon ideas more so than our previous EPs,” says Siera. “I listen to a lot of electronica and hip-hop as well as punk, and I think those influences are more prevalent here, too. Hopefully those kids with an ADD attention span listening to something like Wire and then Little Wayne will feel where I am coming from.”

TheDeathSet are renowned for their insane live sets. Opting to perform on floors instead of stages whenever possible, the concept of personal space is quickly forgotten as sweaty, bouncing spectators pack in as tight around the group as humanly possible. However, as they continue to grow in popularity, old school, hardcore-style floors gigs aren’t always possible.

“I always prefer playing on the floor,” Siera emphasizes. “Kids going nuts around me makes the shows so much more fun and rad.

”Playing on big stages makes me feel like I have my dick in my hand, but I'm getting used to it. No barrier between the crowd and audience is always the best. Sure, cables might get ripped out easier or we may get thrashed around a little, but that’s not a con, it is just part of it.”

TheDeathSet open for Bonde Do Role at Montreal’s Les Saints on Friday and will play a solo show on Saturday at Call The Office in London, Ont. before hooking back up with Bonde Do Role on Sunday at Toronto’s The Social. Velasco doesn’t tour with the band any more, so Siera went ahead and recruited another guitarist and a pair of drummers for live sets — which adds even more energy to the off-the-wall sounds being turned out.

Siera previously toured from Toronto to Nova Scotia and has nothing but props for Canada. He even lists a basement gig TheDeathSet did in Prince Edward Island as one of his favourite shows ever. And he can’t wait to take in the local scenery in Montreal once again.

“I love Montreal. My God, I never thought so many beautiful women could exist in one city. It's crazy. Baltimore's kind of like a rabid dog compared to it.”

—Shawn Despres