It’s been very quiet of late in the Soundwave camp so I turned to a couple of my PR and publisher mates for some inside information.
But, their lips were sealed tighter than… well, I won’t go there… let’s say instead, it was like getting blood from a stone. But, I did get some interesting tidbits and a couple of solid indications of additional bands soon to be announced on the highly anticipated second announcement.
Soundwave promoter, AJ Maddah, posted this Twitter on the 21st October:
You want supergroups? We have got supergroups! #SW15 #JusticeLeagueOfRock — AJ (@iamnotshouting) October 20, 2014This ambiguous announcement lit presumptions on fire. My initial thought was the Foo Fighters, but they don’t need to do a festival, they will sell arenas, three nights over, so they are out of the question. Then I considered, he could be alluding to a “supergroup” as in a mix of superstars in the one band.
I postulated two such bands, both of which have taken off this year with prosperous record sales and sell-out tours. The first band which came to mind was The Winery Dogs, featuring Richi Kozan (Mr Big, Poison), Billy Sheehan (Steve Vai, Mr Big, David Lee Roth, UFO) and legendary ex-Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy. I’ve hit up a couple of my personal friends within the dog camp to see if I am on the money, but no word back as of yet. Hopefully I get a message back soon with the thumbs up if it is indeed rightfully rumoured.
The second supergroup which came to mind was Killer Be Killed which was created by The Dillinger Escape Plan vocalist Greg Puciato and Soulfly/Cavalera Conspiracy/ex-Sepultura/Nailbomb frontman Max Cavalera. Other members of this killer-outfit are Mastodon’s bassist and co-vocalist Troy Sanders and former The Mars Volta drummer Dave Elitch. I have solid, I mean rock solid, inside information that these guys ARE on the list for the second announcement!
Californian thrash metal band Exodus is rumored to be attending Soundwave 2015 after recently releasing a one hell of a kick-ass album. You can pretty much assume that they are in the bag too boys and girls.
After cancelling their Australian tour in August this year, shattering thousands of fans in their wake, punk rockers, The Wonder Years, jumped the queue by announcing their involvement in the festival by taking a photo of themselves holding up a cardboard sign with “#SW15” written on it and posting it on Instagram:
As for Manowar, well, I’m refusing to scratch them off the wish list and remain steadfast in hope they arrive, despite Maddah’s Twitter comment (which I can’t find again for the life of me), ‘No because they want their own fucking jet’ (not verbatim). I say, why the hell not AJ? Get them the bloody jet 'cause after-all, they are The Metal Kings!
Headliners, Slipknot, released their latest album, '.5 The Gray Chapter' which took-off just as predicted. Fans are gathering up the new material as part of their moshing vocabulary and placing bets on which songs will be played as part of the headlining set-list.
Perth
Feeling for our Perth brothers and sisters, knowing that they have missed out on Soundwave '15, I asked the promoter if an airline deal was in negotiation to help them get to the Adelaide, Melbourne or Sydney festivals. He promptly responded, in a fashion only AJ could express:.@carlneumann Our travel-tards met with Virgin yesterday. I am waiting oon result. — AJ (@iamnotshouting) October 21, 2014
Sidewaves
No further Sidewave announcements, that I know of, have come through since Slash’s obvious revelation. Sully Erna of Godsmack pretty much confirmed me that they will do a few shows besides the festival. But that's about all for now.When a punter asked AJ, ‘so what are the chances of Tonight Alive doing a Sidewave, perhaps with All Time Low?’, he was quickly rebutted, 'don't know. Haven't even begun thinking of side shows yet.'
Not a part of the Soundwave line-up itself, but worthy of a mention as it has been put together by the Soundwave Touring team, is this heavyweight double whammy: Trivium and In Flames. These boys will be touring together in November. More info here.
Another band heading our way, organised again by the Soundwave guys, is New Jersey based punksters, Gaslight Anthem. They will hit our shores in January 2015. Why they are not on the Soundwave line-up I don’t know. More info here.
Soundwave 2015’s 'Chat Cave'
A cool feature on the Soundwave website is the 'Chat Cave'. There you can chat with band members on a scheduled basis. So far these guys have been featured: Escape The Fate, Godsmack, New Found Glory, This Wild Life, Butcher Babies, Godflesh, Monuments, Gerard Way, The Color Morale, Confession, Slash and Coldrain. Next up, on 23rd Oct, is Escape the Fate. Check it out here.I am predicting that the second official announcement will be released the first week of November. Come on already!
View last month's Soundwave and Sidewave News - September here.
The Official Soundwave 2015 Line-up thus far is still:
Day One - Adelaide & Sydney
Day Two - Melbourne & Brisbane
Faith No MoreSoundgarden
Incubus
Lamb Of God
Ministry
Antemasque
Gerard Way
Mayhem
New Found Glory
Fear Factory
Hollywood Undead
Atreyu
The Aquabats
Area 7
Godflesh
Crown The Empire
The Interrupters
Icon For Hire
Emily'S Army
Patent Pending
Fireworks
The Bennies
The Color Morale
Monuments
Nothing More
Deathstars
Ne Obliviscaris
The Treatment
Day One - Melbourne & Brisbane
Day Two - Adelaide & Sydney
SlipknotSlash
Marilyn Manson
Fall Out Boy
Judas Priest
Godsmack
All Time Low
Papa Roach
Of Mice & Men
Escape The Fate
Apocalyptica
Lagwagon
Tonight Alive
Crossfaith
Butcher Babies
Confession
The Swellers
Conditions
Coldrain
King 810
Dayshell
This Wild Life
Soundwave 2015 Dates:
Saturday 21 February & Sunday 22 February, 2015 Bonython Park, AdelaideSaturday 21 February & Sunday 22 February, 2015 Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne
Saturday 28 February & Sunday 1 March, 2015 Olympic Park, Sydney
Saturday 28 February & Sunday 1 March, 2015 Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane
