Violent Soho

Just four short years ago the Brisbane boys behind Violent Soho never could have envisioned where they would be today, headlining a national tour of theatres with their mates DZ Deathrays and Dune Rats in tow.

Back in 2012 these three bands were all playing around Brisbane at house parties and small school halls to just 30 or 50 people. “It was obviously a lot of fun [playing those shows] and we considered it quite successful, but to end up in this position and to see it happen to our mates at the same time has been really rad,” said guitarist James Tidswell. “It’s crazy that we’re literally taking those house party shows with bands that we’ve been friends with since before they were even DZ Deathrays or Dune Rats into theatres just four years later.”

During this four year period, which included the release of Violent Soho’s breakout record Hungry Ghost, not only have the band members blown up in the musical conscious of the Australian public, but they have all also matured personally and as musicians. “We’ve all gotten married, had kids and had a lot personally happen. Naturally that’s going to change the music, so hopefully it sounds a bit more matured because I think we are, but at the same time we really don’t like to over think things and instead just let it come naturally.”

The success of Hungry Ghost allowed the band to solely dedicate their time to writing and recording their newest album Waco, which James said they were “really grateful” for. Thanks to the extra time that they were afforded with this record, lead songwriter Luke Boerdam attempted to make writing his full time job by writing from 9am to 5pm everyday, but as James explained “[Luke] realised really quickly that regardless of time, he had to let the songs and inspiration come to him rather than forcing it.”

For all their shows, and these shows in particular, James said that the band “approaches everything now thinking ‘what can we get away with?’ and ‘how stupid can we make this?’ So it feels ridiculous, what we’ve been able to do.”

May 27. Enmore Theatre, 118-132 Enmore Rd, Newtown. $54.90+b.f. Tickets & Info: enmoretheatre.com.au