Ides of Space

IDES OF SPACE:
Anthony The . drums
Dave The . bass
Mark Ayoub . guitar
Martin Barker . keyboards
Patrick Haid . guitar/vox

So what fantastic and deceitful half-truth should we open with to grab America's attention? Something about our name? Something about our music? Something about us? How about this: we are a relatively new band from Sydney, Australia, with our very first gig booked (accidentally) only hours after we'd formed; have played shows with bands from all around Australia and America, and have, with our very own pennies, spent the last half year in several local recording studios making a little record with Aussie sound icon Wayne Connolly in the big comfy chair?

But that's not exactly a half-truth...

Our first live show was during a university band competition, where we appeared as Firehosereel in late '99. The fact that we had been a collective for two days - or was it three? - along with the chaos that naturally ensues when a drummer is playing keyboards with one hand and a violin player is tweaking pedals and amps, saw us promptly dismissed from that competition... but encouraged us to practice. 2000 was calmer and more productive. We lost one member - but gained two - and found a new name. Ides of Space played its first show with Turnstyle in February of that year. Since that time we have played with Trans Am, Sounds like Sunset, Art of Fighting and Knievel - among others.

A mutual respect and friendship with the band Knievel saw Wayne Connolly guide us through the entire production of our debut full-length, from the recording of the first twisty guitars to the mastering of the final floating keyboards. You might be familiar with some of Wayne's production work with Underground Lovers, You am I, Powderfinger or Silverchair. Two EPs came out of these sessions, both of which have been released in Australia and combined for the US release that you are now holding.

The songs from this release have reached #5 on the AIR radio charts in Australia and are receiving regular airplay on 2JJJ, an Australian nationwide commercial radio station. Yes. We were played on a station that plays all of the rap-metal acts you Americans have so thoughtfully sent our way.

And so what do we sound like? Influences? Are we doing anything new? Noise? Pop? Would it be easier to create a sub-genre like post-post-rock-pop?

Today has been spent in intense 'discussion' about what words would best fit here. But I'm not sure we really care for such definition. We like what we are doing. We hope you will too. Chances are if you are reading this you have the record playing and are making up your own sub-genres. Any feedback on what in fact we 'are' will be duly considered to help pigeonhole us when we tour the United States in early 2002.

Thank you.