Naarm hardcore punks Swab are making their way to Queensland for the first time and will be putting on an all-ages extravaganza at the Black Box Theatre Sunday 7 July with Meanjin’s Knee and Not Telling, along with locals Gutpunch (formerly Ballpoint) and Flogg.
The newly-minted Queens of the Pit took the reins for this interview with Swab frontwoman Christina Pap, who is also known for her label Blow Blood Records and vocal stylings with previous band Vanilla Poppers...
Queens of the Pit: For years, Swab have been infecting Melbourne/Naarm with their 80s Boston style hardcore punk sound, with hard pit moves and stank faces following the band at every venue. Comprised of four talented musicians, Swab have an authentic punk sound that blends seamlessly with their fun and energetic attitude.
The band members bond over stupid jokes and mean riffs with Jake on drums, Blake on guitar, Ryan on Bass and Christina on vocals. Swab is the perfect mix of bloody noses and thrashy entertainment with an honesty and relatability that allows them to forge a genuine connection with the audience.
At last, the magnetic band is throwing themselves at Queensland, leaping all the way to Black Box Theatre in Nambour/Naamba on the 7th of July – you don’t want to miss this.
QOTP: What are the names and pronouns of each of your band members and what instrument does everyone play in Swab?
CHRISTINA: Jake: drums, He/Him. Blake: Guitar, He/Him. Ryan: Bass, He/Him. Christina: Vocals, She/Her
Q: How did the band form?
C: I was working at a bar in Melbourne late 2018 or early 2019 and there was a show on. Blake and Jake were there for the show, standing in a corner and having a chuckle about something, probably some insane punk reference that about five people would find funny. I guess they’d been talking about starting an 80s Boston style hardcore band for a while. Fast and a bit thrashy, but also kinda stupid.
I hadn’t met Blake before but knew Jake from years of going to shows and both of us having mutual friends in the USA from travelling over there and doing punk stuff. He came up to me and asked if I wanted to be in their new band.
My last band had recently been rendered inactive and I was up for a new challenge. My boyfriend at the time was the last person to come into the band, on bass. He went back home to America a few years later and Ryan came in as the new bass player.
Q: How long have you been a band for?
C: Just over five years at this point.
Q: What is the meaning behind the band name?
C: It’s Gauze worship (the Japanese hardcore punk band). Gauze (the medical item) comes out of a first aid kit, so does Swab…a dumb joke basically. The first name we came up with too.
Q: What is your favourite thing about performing?
C: Getting to hang out with my friends. Playing with cool bands. Pushing myself out of my comfort zone. Being creative.
Q: What is your favourite thing about touring?
C: Eating in a different city. Meeting amazing people and discovering different bands.
Q: Is there a message you are trying to convey through your music?
C: Not really tbh. The lyrics are more so me trying to understand and work though my own internal problems and my outward relationship with the world. If people can relate to what I’m saying, then I’m all for the connection. But there’s no direct message like “War is bad!” or “Capitalism is oppression!” I mean, I believe both of those but I’m not on the mic to convey these things.
Q: What is your main motivation as a band and what drives you?
C: I think we just like making music together, basically. We’re all kinda idiots and have stupid jokes and are music nerds and we have fun together. I don’t think there’s any big motivation like become the next Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
Q: Who are your inspirations as a band?
C: Jerry’s Kids, Gauze, Deep Wound. Things have gotten looser as it has gone on, though. Our main inspiration now is to try to come up with ideas that you all might like and be surprised by.
Sunday 7 July
Black Box Theatre Naamba
SWAB (Narrm/Melb)
KNEE (Meanjin/Bris)
NOT TELLING (Meanjin/Bris)
GUTPUNCH (Gubbi Gubbi/SC)
FLOGG (Namba)
1pm to 6pm - ALL AGES
Tickets $15 - BOOK HERE
Buy Swab's BIG CITY LP on the Bad Habit webstore
SICK PEOPLE
Brisbane. 15 or so years ago. The burst of early/mid commercial hardcore had subsided. Kids who had been drawn in by the tail end of "North Coast Hardcore" were looking for the next thing. There was a rise of interest in old school New York and that fed into a real opening up of interest […]
NO NO FEST
The first ever No No Fest is happening this Saturday 27 July at the Black Box Theatre in Nambour. The fest is presented by No No Records, the brainchild of the inimitable Sydney Kerley, musician, fan, promoter, organiser and no doubt one of the hardest-working lads in the local music scene. We hit up Kerley […]
AGLO
We caught up with the mastermind behind AGLO, Mr Aaron Osbourne, to discuss his favourite Star Trek moments and what kind of extraterrestrial madness the punters can expect this Sunday.
7"s up on webstore now. Go check it out or swing by the shop today til 5.30.
Just a little information post about today.
We are open til 5.30. Cranking the new @djmourn album and watching horror movies. If your on the guest list go to the castle rave launch.
Our buddies in Rockhampton / Yeppon are having a Palestine benefit gig with the best punk bands from the Rocky area playing. If you`re around that area, get along. Regional Queensland is a hostile enviroment to any underground culture so give these cats some support.
Folk meltdown Slim Krusty is playing at Lantana in Caloundra. Get to that if you like folk,pingers and punk.
Also there`s a big Drum and Festival in Nambour. With an after party at the Presynct.
Transmission over.
New Mural for the upcoming Gaoled show. Painted by the big Swak.
Every young hardcore punk kid that comes through the shop is losing their shit about this show. It`s really 4 of the best current heavy bands in Australia. Expect brutality and madness. But also expect the best friendly vibes you`ve ever experienced. It`s the dichotomy of Nambour underground music on full effect.
Brought to you by the pillars of underground insanity @teamglassesrecords @antivision.aus and us.
Get your tickets asap. We`ve been getting close to selling out the Black Box. This might be the first one we do? Don`t miss out.
@antivision.aus
@teamglassesrecords
@oldambulancestation
@televisedsuicide
@hektickaos
@cravedeath
@sickpeople.ahc
@cerebralerosion
Big chunk of 7"s going out Saturday morning. You know the details. These go for sale 9am Saturday morning instore, in Nambour. Then go on the webstore Sunday morning.
This gives locals first crack, and stops all the good stuff going out of town straight away.
Don`t dm asking for holds. Thanxxx
We now have a sock section. As a teenager one of the greatest places to go was the oddball t-shirt shop in the old half empty mall. 15 different Iron Maiden designs, those shirts with every classic UK punk band printed all other the front, velcro wallets with a weed leaf and rasta colours. Anything your young heart desired. In an effort to replicate that vibe, here`s some Misfits, Slipknot, Mayhem and Cannibal Corpse socks. Instore and on the webstore.
Gig announcement. Hear ye, Hear ye. Medieval peace punkers are touring on their new record Confere, released on Relapse Records.
Joining them will be @slowcutband @workquestionmark (launching their 1st tape) and @flail.sludge
Get your tickets via the link tree in the bio.
cheers @antivision.aus @hardcore_victim @relapserecords
