Abreact

Abreact is a hardworking Bendigo hardcore/metal band. I dug what they were doing and I love my metal and hardcore bands and I needed to interview them to find out more so read on.

https://www.facebook.com/ABREACT1/

1. How did the band form?

Tim, Chris and I were known to each other as we used to play together when we were younger.

Tim and I met at high school; we were actually in the same class but didn’t really know each other

until we realized one of us was a drummer and the other was a guitarist.  We met Chris at an after school

fight at the local footy oval, the fight never happened but Chris and the rest of us have been close and playing

music since then.  We discovered Mat online when we were searching for a new singer.  He was looking for a band,

we sussed out his previous work and he was exactly what we wanted.

A few emails back and forth and we met face to face; the rest as they say is history.

2. What’s been the highlight so far?

We played Groovin The Moo earlier this year, so to get to play a big festival like that amongst some rad bands

was really cool.  Was interesting to see how the big boys did it, so to speak.  The crew were great and everything

was pretty chill.  We supported The Amity Affliction and In Hearts Wake earlier this year and that was a really cool

experience.  Great dudes, great bands and great fans!  I remember I ran through the crowd during our last song and

charged through a number of people spilling their drinks.  A few of them caught up with me after our set when I was

chilling at the bar, I offered to replace their drinks but they just wanted a hug?  Bizarre but awesome!  At that point

it was the biggest show we had played so we have fond memories of that also.  We released an album, I should

probably mention that right?  It’s something we are really proud of.

3. How important is playing underage shows and all ages to you?

Under age shows are really important.  How else are you going to expand your audience if you don’t keep exposing

your music to the underagers that are starting to get out there and see bands?

We haven’t had many AA shows lately but we have a couple early next year so we are pumped for that.

4. How does regional touring help you as a band?

I think so.  We definitely have focused on it thus far.  It would probably come as a surprise to most people that

we have not played a great deal in Melbourne.  I think we have actually played in Sydney more times than Melbourne!

We are now looking at rectifying this with more Melbourne dates to come.  We just got involved with the wrong people at

first who kind of turned us off Melbourne a bit with their behaviour.  However we know some really great bands and people

now so we will be heading there a bit more next year.  We love going to regional towns as we grew up in one, so we know what

it is like to not really have the opportunity to see bands without travelling hundreds of kilometres.  I think the punters are

really appreciative that you have made the effort to go to their town as well.

5. What has been your favourite show to date?

It would have to be Mat’s second ever show with us, which was a week before GTM.  We were on the Regional Roulette Tour

with King Parrot, Frankenbok and Heaven The Axe.  The night before, Ballarat, we were a little nervous as it was our first show

with him, he was feeling it too.  Nothing went wrong; we just weren’t as relaxed or in the groove as we normally would be.

The next night was in Castlemaine.  I’m not sure what it was, the small room, the nothing P.A. or the fact that it was 7000

degrees on stage but something happened.  Mat blew us away.  He slayed that shit.  He felt a bit more comfortable I guess.

Couldn’t wipe the smiles of our faces after that.  He had big shoes to fill; it wasn’t an easy task by any means.

I don’t think I will ever forget that, sitting back after our set, bathing in sweat like no one’s business thinking “FUCK YEAH”

6. How does radio and online radio play a part in what you do and reaching new audiences?

Radio is great.  A lot of people listen to Radio regularly.  Some people have specific shows they listen to, or even specific

presenters that they really respect the opinion of.  It’s another way to spread your music far and wide.  There could be a listener

in any part of the world, so if you can get some airtime it opens up more possibilities for new people to discover you and hopefully

look you up and see what else you are getting up to.

7. How important is social media to you as a band?

It’s not the be all and end all, but it is definitely important.  It’s a much more timely and direct way to be in contact with your fan base.

8. What does mean to connect with your fans?

We are always blown away when fans hit us up in person or on the net.  To think anyone even cares in the first place, let alone wants

some advice or even a story or two is amazing.  To share an idea or ideal, through music is really cool when people get it or even if they

have their own interpretations.  So being approachable and personable with fans is a must.  At the end of the day we

are just regular blokes and treat everyone equally.  None of this ‘Us and Them’ BS that some wankers carry on with.

9. If you could have any body in a video clip who would it be?

For me, probably Liam Neeson.  The dude is a huge unit and can crack skulls if you’ve seen TAKEN.  Maybe our singer Mat could

get him in the ring for a few rounds, press record, punish each other and you know see what happens!

10. What does 2014 have in store for the band?

We do have some cool shows coming up at the start of the yeah.  Moshfest in Adelaide.  King Parrot in Bendigo, In Hearts Wake

in Renmark.  Then we are taking some time off in Feb to write some more new songs and once they all sweet we will look to

record our second album.  Australian Tour a couple months after that (details will be announced soon) and possibly touring Indonesia

around September.  So yeah we certainly won’t be sitting on our hands!