I couldn't afford to pay to get the domain for this blog extended and now all the links are broken. Dam cuz. It hasn't been a big year for 'lifelessened' so I won't go the effort of creating a kick starter to raise $12 for web-hosting. I'll fix the links as soon as it's a priority for me. Despite the lack of any blogging efforts at all from myself, screamo, emo and related bands that would prefer to go by any other genre name have continued to 'flourish' in 2015 – but without someone from north-side Melbourne documenting it, did it really happen?
Achievements:
Blind Girls: He Who Swallowed The Bloom was easily the most intense, dynamic and emotional record in the genre this year. Also the best record, setting a new standard for Australian screamo.
Endut Hoch Hech: The band that came into conception in 2013 finally released their demo which was adored by all for its shrills, breakdowns and awful quality.
Yung Grizz Bucky: Beat cancer (Right?). Congratz brah.
The World at a Glance: Came out with their long awaited debut LP ...Will Travel and brought with it the quality we've come to expect – ambient art jams (In Stasis), pop punk singalongs (Satellite Boy), a 'cathartic' centrepiece (Light) and melb skramz show classics (Astronaut, Grid).
Diploid: Tore it up at every opportunity. Their split 7″ with Coma Regalia was reckless.
The World at a Glance and Diploid: heading over to south-east asia to make us all proud by representing the Australian screamo lifestyle overseas.
To The North: Released the first songs we've heard from them since 2011 on their 7” Departure. They were extremely good songs.
Winston Exercise: Tricked us into thinking they were from the 90s.
Kurdaitcha: My friends and I started a new screamo band. Lots of people asked me what the name meant. Please ask Liam Phillips instead.
Becalm: Their loooooong awaited 10” EVERTHINE blew away everyone's expectations. There's something about the space and dynamic contrast of the record that makes it so enjoyable.
Jacob: Had heaps of good facebook posts and Keep Growing Old was great.
Employment: Were just constantly mad and also released a great tape.
Melbourne: Was a great place to live and enjoy screamo music once again.
Raccoon City Police Department: Spent too much time creating an extremely excessive (but impressive) meme album. Split with Tired Minds was good but.
Stockades: Will they ever release an album?
No releases from Old Love, Mowgli, Kiri, Feverteeth: Praying we hear new stuff from them all in 2016.
mewithoutYou: Made bands pay to support them, instead of supporting Australian emo by giving the slots to a band that deserved it. As a protest I personally did not go to see them.
American Football: I'm putting this here as a joke. Watching them play was truly amazing whatever people say.
Emo/skramz merch swap: WhAt A mEsS rIgHt??!!
What I'm looking forward to in 2016:
Stockades: They might release a new record.
Idk lmao. Grizz has been asking everyone to do splits with Endut so that should be exciting. Hospital's Describing Bodies is getting a proper release next month. The World at a Glance might make a video game! U heard it here first.
Kry Me a Billabong Festival: A few bands I might have mentioned in this post are coming down to Melbourne for a festival being organised by Numb Skull Bookings. It'll be absolutely hectic if it all goes to plan and will be an extremely enjoyable day of screamo listening.
HEY MAN GOOD JOB PUTTING ALL THIS MUSIC AND REVIEWS UP. I USED TO PLAY IN A COUPLE OF BANDS YOUVE MENTIONED (JD AND THE LET-GO) WE PLAYED WITH A WHOLE HEAP OF THE OTHER BANDS YOUVE POSTED BACK IN 06,07,08. ANYWAY MY HARD DRIVE DIED A LITTLE WHILE AGO AND I STUMBLED ACCROSS YOUR BLOG TRYING TO FIND DOWNLOADS FOR QUEBECS FIRST COUPLE OF RELEASES. ANYWAY ITS BEEN HELPFULL SO THANKS AND GOOD TO KNOW PEOPLE ARE STILL INTO THIS STUFF. I MIGHT KNOW A FEW OTHER BANDS FROM BACK THEN YOU COULD LOOKINTO
hey im gonna assume this is from a while ago, sorry for the late reply! thats very cool and no worries at all! i started going to shows in 09 so im sure that theres a lot of stuff that ive missed. if you have anything cool please email it to [email protected].
how exactly does one score a coveted interview or plug on the hallowed pages of life lessened?
if you want an interview and youre not an irl friend of mine u have to like and respond to all my comments on emo/skramz merch swap. comments have to be funny. then maybe ill ask you.
if u want your band posted then you can message me with the name. i dont post too much anymore cos i ceebs. maybe if you also tell me bands you sound similar to, how you describe your sound, anything else etc. then that would make it easier. also you have to sound like eucalypt.
Interview: Dylan Cooper from The Raccoon City Police Departments
This week I was lucky enough to have a chat with Dylan Cooper, most well known as the brother of Levi Cooper, with whom he has played in several bands, most notably The Raccoon City Police Departments. We cover a great deal of topics - in depth - over the course of the interview and I truly believe that some parts are quite Profound and not for the light of heart. If you're a fan of The Raccoon City Police Departments, or Australian Screamo, or even just a fan of Web Content, then I strongly recommend that you read and fully take in the words of Dylan Dylan Cooper.
Life Lessened: Hi Dylan Cooper of Flightless, how are you today?
Dylan: Hey I'm pretty good thanks, had a lovely day at work and now I'm just catching up on The Walking Dead. Pretty dark stuff. Makes you think a lot.
Life Lessened: Did Levi really have a baby?
Dylan: Yeah he had a little baby girl. Gr8 sperm Levi.
Life Lessened: If so does that make you an uncle or nah?
Dylan: Yes that is how it works.
Life Lessened: What's the deal?
Dylan: Ah.
Life Lessened: Why did The Raccoon City Police Departments break up?
Dylan: I wish we broke up.
Life Lessened: Do you think Plains should do a reunion?
Dylan: No. Stay dead. It's not worth it.
Life Lessened: What else is going on in your life?
Dylan: I work in a chocolate shop, it goes pretty hard. Managing a kitchen doing all that stuff. I ain't a chef or nothing. But I just like to play with chocolate ya know.
Life Lessened: What do you reckon about your new band? any good?
Dylan: New band goes hard. It's like alt rock shit. Like The Drones mixed with We Were Promised Jet Packs. V indie. V cutting edge. 10/10
Life Lessened: When's the new record coming out?
Dylan: Ah. This is a question for Levi. He is the management side of raccoon city (LL: he is referring to The Raccoon City Police Departments). I'm the creative side. I write the songs I arrange the choreography I design the outfits. They are nothing without me. Worthless.
Life Lessened: Fav meme?
Dylan: Classical memes page on Facebook. Lots of gold on that one. My partner runs a great meme page called Mariah AnZil memes. We're a bit of a meme couple.
Life Lessened: Fav sticker?
Dylan: Business fish. Specifically the laughing one or the one of him slamming his fist. Honestly great pack
Life Lessened: Fav emoji?
Dylan: Cheeky Monkey. He is great.
Life Lessened: What's Davo up to?
Dylan: Davo is studying something at TAFE but he won't actually tell me what it is. I've been following him for a while but I don't have a keycard to get into the TAFE building. Something don't look right here.
Life Lessened: I heard Mitch Waugh is looking for a new job, care to weigh in on the debate?
Dylan: Ah yeah hospitality is a bit of a rough one. V grueling shit. He is currently looking for a job in retail or something. Specifically Aesop. Love that shit. If this goes through we will have the best smelling band around. My face will never be dry again.
Life Lessened: And lastly, you've had a lot of people leave The Raccoon City Police Departments. What, or specifically who, do you think is the main reason for this?
Dylan: I don't know about leaving the band. More like kicking out. I guess. Nah it's only been like 3 or 4. We didn't really get along well with Eli and Nick. I dunno. Different visions. I wanted to be a rock god and they just didn't love it. When is Jack Black going to do a School of Rock sequel. Jake left the band because he didn't really dig hardcore anymore. Or something. He now does full time graft and we wish him the best of luck. Gr8 bloke. So is Glenn dead. I don't understand what's going on here. And the priest guy is the worst character. Hate him. I hope he dies next. What's old grimesy up to. Sneak mission. You playing Bloodborne Duffy? Now that's some scary shit. Gotta go pick Mary up from work soon. You pumped for a Halloween album. I've got some great ideas for it. We're thinking about starting a metalcore band themed around drinking piss.
Life Lessened: Thanks for your time Dylan, great speaking with you.
- Sick cunt band from Melbourne. They play emo but it's not very emotional at all really, would liken to Owls and maybe Cap'n Jazz over other Kinsella projects. It's a bit random like some parts are hell zonked out and others are mad aggressive and then theres some real beautiful parts in between. G00d stuff.
Stockman Records Comp (2014) - https://shutupjackson.bandcamp.com/album/stockman-records-compilation
Scruff Dog single (2014) - https://shutupjackson.bandcamp.com/album/scruffy-dog
Demo (2013) - https://shutupjackson.bandcamp.com/album/demo
You can buy a tape they were on here (i dont think they will see the money but scott from waag will maybs and he needs it so he can move on from his life as a baker): https://worldataglance.bandcamp.com/album/4-way-split
pixelskylines
turnnoffyourmind
dededos
kianamaiart
