Aussie metalcore mainstays Northlane have come a LONG way since forming in 2009. With six full-length studio albums, four EPs, two live albums, three ARIA awards, and a seemingly endless run of major festival appearances and sold-out headline tours to their name, they have firmly entrenched themselves as one of Australia's premier heavy acts. Recently seen by Australian audiences owning the stage of Knotfest Australia, Northlane are shaping up to headline the Frankston leg of the massive UNIFY Off The Record tour package next month.
The appearance on June 2nd continues a long connection between UNIFY and the band and will see them head up a bill featuring In Hearts Wake, Make Them Suffer, RedHook, Fit For An Autopsy, Ocean Sleeper, Mirrors, Chasing Ghosts, Banks Arcade and Future Static. The event shapes up to be another chance for fans to be wowed by the groups' impressive live show and will also serve as a bit of a continuation of a well-earned victory lap for their sixth album Obsidian. The most sonically explorative record of their career, Obisidian debuted at #1 on the ARIA album charts upon release last year, ensuring that the band's fearless evolution and unmatched innovation continued to pay dividends. Indeed, some 14 years into their career, their consistent output, self-sufficiency and hard work have enabled them to experience one of the rarer things in modern heavy music, a modicum of financial success. As with most bands, that wasn't always the case and the Northlane story is one that was financially backed by a lot of hard work in a lot of unusual places. In the lead-up to UNIFY Off The Record, the members of Northlane have revealed to Maniacs what they did to earn money to keep the dream alive in the band's formative years.
The Things We Did For Money with Northlane
Marcus Bridge (Vocals) worked at Coles.
"Marcus used to hand out the best porterhouse cuts in Forestville."
Josh Smith (Guitar) worked in a prison.
"Josh used to teach barista skills to inmates of the Dillwynia correctional centre in Western Sydney".
Jon Deiley (Guitar) - worked for the TV shopping network Danoz Direct.
"Jon worked at Danoz. He was suited to the role because there was no face-to-face human contact. He also used to help out at his Dad’s Italian restaurant."
Nic Pettersen (Drums) - worked at a carwash...among many other places.
"Nic worked at a carwash to get enough money to buy a chipped Xbox, and then he quit. He also worked at a music store, delivered orders for a Chinese restaurant and at an insurance company. He hated all of the above."
Hitting Mackay, Adelaide, Wollongong, Hobart and Frankston, Unify Off The Record 2023 features a diverse line up of Australia's premiere heavy acts including ARIA chart topping Northlane, Thy Art Is Murder, Thornhill, Make Them Suffer, Teenage Joans, In Hearts Wake, Alpha Wolf, Ocean Grove, Yours Truly, Redhook and more.
Since 2015, UNIFY Gathering has been a staple of the annual heavy music calendar, taking place during 7 of the past 8 years and bringing a diverse roster of local and international acts that celebrate heavy music to Gippsland Victoria.
In 2023, UNIFY will pivot to a series of small club shows across five states, with each date featuring a different lineup made up of acts from around the country, including one international in American deathcore band Fit For An Autopsy. The NSW, VIC and SA legs will be run like miniature festivals with 8-10 band lineups, and all five events will include pop up stores, artist signings and workshops before and after doors, with the aim to bring as much of UNIFY on the road as is possible.
Head to the UNIFY website for dates and lineup details.
Northlane will headline the Frankston event on June 2nd.
Obsidian is out now.
