DESPITE their occasional political leanings, Newcastle hardcore-punk band John Howard say the band’s name was chosen for a bit of a laugh and is not an endorsement for the former Australian Prime Minister.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
“People ask about that pretty often,” vocalist Luke Wright said.
“We just thought, ‘what’s a funny name that no-one else has used,’ and someone said ‘what about John Howard?’”.
The band describes itself on Bandcamp as “the best ex-liberal prime-core band in the world.”
John Howard cites influences such as 90s Western Australian band Rupture and the late GG Allin. They are fans of Newcastle acts Obat Batuk and Dog.
Wright describes their shows as “pretty full on”.
“I like to bash myself up a fair bit,” Wright said.
A busted-up forehead, evident during the interview for this story, is testament to a recent gig.
“I am friends with most of the people who come,” Wright said. “Everyone pushes me around.”
However, the shows are never violent.
“The whole point of it is having fun,” Wright said. “It’s just fast and we try to get the crowd involved.”
The rest of the line-up includes Will Larsson on guitar, Joseph Bird on bass, and Cole Queenen on drums.
The band formed about three years ago as a side project, members were in other bands.
“It was the outside thing that ended up becoming the real thing,” Wright said.
“Early on it was a bit political, we had some anti-racist songs,” Wright said. “I have just started writing again, and I think its going to be a bit more serious and political, the new stuff.”
Some of the material comments on the Newcastle hardcore scene and expresses an intolerance for “macho bullshit”.
The band has recently returned from a Melbourne tour, they will head south again in December.
“It was our first time there, it was pretty good,” Wright said. “We go to Brisbane a fair bit and we go pretty well up there.”
The band has four recordings. The most recent, a live recording at the Hamilton Station Hotel, made in May 2018, is titled Rupturephobic Covers Show. It’s compilation with Obat Batuk, Dog and Durry.
In 2017, they recorded a five track EP Lazarus Rising. In they same year they laid down a six track demo. In 2016, they made their debut recording, a single titled Shakira Law. They will soon release a split single with punk comrades Dog.
All recordings are available for download on Bandcamp.
Next gig: September 19 at the Hamilton Station Hotel with US band Savage, Disparo and Necessary Vengeance.
