We’re a hardcore outfit from Perth, Australia. To celebrate our ten year anniversary, this summer we will be trekking around the country with our bro’s in Cruel Hand and The Others. Over the years we have seen so many great places and met so many amazing people, now we want to bring it all together with some friends who have made it so special. The ‘Make It A Decade’ tour consists of a string of intimate shows, which we hope will capture the raw energy of an MA show. For more details, check out the dates below.
So, how did you guys form ‘Miles Away’?
I was 16 years old, Cam was dating my best mate’s older sister and came to a party to watch my band at the time play a bunch of Millencolin covers. He liked the way I palm muted and asked me if I wanted to play in a band that he was starting that sounds like Shai Hulud, Carry On and Bane. We started riffing in his parent’s house in 2002 and then found Nicky “No Dance” Horsnell to take onboard vocal duties and my school mate Chris Unsworth to hit the cans. That was pretty much it, we started practicing in Cam’s dads powder coating warehouse in the Canning Vale industrial area in the winter of 2002 and after recording our first demo with Dion Waterman on bass, we asked our friend Steven Hopperton to take Dion’s place when he moved to Melbourne.
What and where was the first gig you went to?
Unwritten Law and Frenzal Rhomb at the Grosvenor in Perth back in 2000. Pogo jumps, mo-hawks and circle pits. Good times.
What is the most embarrassing CD you own?
I’m not embarrassed of any of the records I own. Of course there are those records that I don’t listen to anymore, but at the time, there would have been a reason for purchasing them. In someway, these old, discarded records have probably shaped the way I write music, which I definitely can’t be ashamed of.
If you guys had the chance to play alongside any other act in the world, who would it be and why?
A Cromags support would be pretty rad. It would be pretty damn awesome listening to John Joseph motivating the crowd every night, and of course hearing and diving to all those old jams would be alright too.
Some of your live performances are pretty full on; what’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done on stage?
We’re honestly not that crazy. Although if the crowd’s packed tight enough, we love a good guitar stage dive.
If you could curate your own festival, where would it be, who would be on the bill, how many people would you let in and what features would it have?
It would definitely be situated in an abandoned warehouse somewhere. There would be a water park, some roller coasters, a bowling alley, ping pong tables, Dave Grohl is serving fresh pots and there is plenty of Mexican food. Metallica would headline with Ashley Simpson as main support. Neil Young, Eddie Vedder and Chris Conley would do acoustic sets in the basement, hardcore and punk bands would be playing floor shows in the corner, David Bowie is cutting men’s hair and Henry Rollins is upstairs giving young punks tips and life lessons.
Do you have any particular ritual before you go on stage, or even a lucky charm you take with you?
See question below.
You’re backstage in the green room; what do you guys request before taking the stage?
Usually a case of Dr Pepper, but over the past few years, Cam and Nick have developed a ritual of applying ‘Deep heat’ to their testicles as it somehow amps them up before we play. So these days, Deep Heat is at the top of the list.
Where was the craziest crowd you’ve ever played in front of?
Jakarta 2011. 300 people crammed in this tiny office type block, humid as hell, stage diving and singing along to every word. Even the power went out (supposably due to a Justin Bieber concert), but this just added to already intense vibe. When the power returned, it was like round two. Shit got mental.
What is your band’s music the best soundtrack for?
Definitely some movie starring Rachel McAdams.
If you guys had to give up music, what would you do in its place?
Well, MA is purely a hobby to us. We have never looked at MA as a way to make a living and we have all held down jobs or studies throughout the existence of the band. Going on tour was always treated as a holiday, rather than a chore or a form of work. I believe it is due to this attitude that has kept us together, and still wanting to get on the road and play our hearts out.
You guys obviously spend a lot of time together; who has the worst habit?
I can be a bit of a control freak, Nick barely drives on tour and Cam is pretty good at making strangers feel uncomfortable. The latter is generally quite amusing, but there have been a few occasions where these strangers were our hosts for the night. Awkwardness is an understatement.
Where we can see you play next, what releases do you have available and where can we get them?
The Make It A Decade’ tour with Cruel Hand and The Others starts at the end of this month!!
Thursday 29th December- Animal House, Adelaide AA
Friday 30th December – Bendigo Hotel, Melbourne 18+
Saturday 1st December – The Gasometre Hotel, Melbourne, 18+.
Sunday 2nd December – Make It Count 2012 @ Phoenix Youth Centre, Melbourne AA
Tuesday 4th December – The Box, Brisbane AA
Wednesday 5th December – YAC, Byron Bay AA
Thursday 6th December – Snitch @ X & Y Bar, Brisbane 18+
Friday 7th December – Live @ The Wall (Bald Face Stag), Sydney Lic/AA
Saturday 8th December – The Den, Perth 18+
Sunday 9th December – YMCA HQ, Perth AA
For more details, please check out the following websites: http://www.facebook.com/milesawayhc
