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Japanese punk/ska band HEY SMITH announce their debut Australian headline tour with specials guests, California punk/ska legends Voodoo Glow Skulls and Australia’s own fine purveyors of the genre The Resignators. The tour kicks off in Adelaide on November 27, heading up the east coast of Australia then culminating at the Ska Nation Festival in Colac on November 30. Full tour details below.
HEY SMITH hail from Osaka, Japan. Formed in 2006, the origin of the band name is, “SMITH” is taken from the initials of each member, and “HEY” just sounds like we’re in a good mood!
HEY SMITH incorporate horns into their upbeat, catchy melodic punk rock, a true live band who performs around 150 shows annually in Japan. The band host their own outdoor festival OSAKA HAZIKETEMAZARE FESTIVAL in Osaka every year. This band is not to be missed live!
Voodoo Glow Skulls were formed in 1988 by Eddie Casillas, Jorge Casillas, Jerry O’neill and Frank Casillas. After a few years of backyard party shows, cassette demos, 7” singles and first club gigs, they released their debut album “Who is, this is?” for Dr. Strange records in 1993, gaining the attention of Brett Gurewitz, owner of Epitaph records. The band then signed to Epitaph records and released four albums, starting in 1995 with “Firme”, their most successful album to date, then followed by “Baile de los Locos”, “Band Geek Mafia” and “Symbolic”.
The band began to tour worldwide with their first European tour in 1996 followed by Japan, Australia, Mexico, and South America. The band has been featured on several of Epitaph’s Punk-O-Rama releases and has had music featured in video games, TV and movies.
The song “Shoot the Moon” from the band’s Firme album was used in the Pauly Shoremovie Bio-Dome and the band’s version of “Used to Love Her” (originally written and recorded by Guns N’ Roses) is featured in the Mr. & Mrs. Smith soundtrack.
In 2002, Voodoo Glow Skulls signed to Victory Records. The band released three albums on the Victory label and continued to tour. In June, 2017, Frank Casillas announced his retirement from the band and was replaced by Death By Stereo vocalist Efrem Schulz.
The Resignators‘ journey is one of resilience, creativity, and a commitment to their musical vision. With a dedicated fan base, a solid discography, and an unwavering passion for their craft, The Resignators remain an essential part of Australia’s diverse musical landscape. As they continue to evolve and inspire, their music serves as a testament to the enduring power of ska-punk fusion.
FOCUS MUSIC GROUP & UPBEAT SOUNDS PRESENTS
HEY SMITH Japan)
with special guests
Voodoo Glow Skulls (USA) + The Resignators (Melb)
Wednesday November 27 The Gov – Adelaide, Tickets
Thursday November 28 Brightside – Brisbane, Tickets
Friday November 29 Factory Floor – Sydney, Tickets
Saturday November 30 / Sunday December 1
Croxton Bandroom, Thornbury, Victoria
Hey Smith!’s 10 Japanese Bands You Need To Know Right Now
- SiM
Favorite song: Blah Blah Blah
They are a band that draws on various genres including punk, reggae, and loud rock. They are the band we are closest with personally, and while musically they are fantastic, they are also very serious people with deep thoughts.
- coldrain
Favorite song: No Escape
Here’s yet another of the bands in Japan that we are closest with. (laughs) Their most distinctive feature is their intense twin guitars. They’re truly technical, but they also have pop elements that are easy to remember once you hear them. I actually can’tplay it myself. (laughs)
- SHANK
Here’s yet another of the bands in Japan that we are closest with. (laughs)
They are a three-piece melodic and ska band. They broadcast their unique culture from Nagasaki, a rural part of Japan, and now they are a special band that everyone in Japan knows.
- crossfaith
Here’s yet another of the bands in Japan that we are closest with. (laughs)
I’ll end this catchphrase here as it seems it could go on forever. (laughs)
Once you see their live performance, it will be etched in your brain forever. They’re from Osaka Prefecture like us, and they’re the friends we meet most often in private.
- Hi-STANDARD
They’re my favorite band. Countless Japanese bands have been influenced by them, not just us. Their melodies and guitar solos are unforgettable once you hear them. Even now, I think no punk band in Japan has surpassed them yet.
- SHADOWS
They’re on the same label as us. We really respect their attitude towards music. Their music is incredibly complex yet still pop. And they’re wonderful people. They never forget their respect for others, and all Japanese punk bands like them.
- GUMX
A band composed of two Japanese and one Korean member. The guitar vocalist, Yongwon, is my best friend. He came to Japan alone from Korea to play his music, which I respect immensely. He has a strong respect for the Japanese punk scene, and his respect for that scene is very cool.
- ENTH
They’re a band broadcasting various cultures from Nagoya, Japan. Sometimes they send out messages that are incomprehensible to others, dangerous, and playful. Currently, culture from Nagoya is growing big in Japan, and they are undoubtedly at the center of it.
- CRYSTAL LAKE
YD, the guitarist, is the closest guitarist to me geographically. (laughs) He lives about 5 minutes away, and we contact each other when something happens. Their live energy is off the charts, and they drink an incredible amount of alcohol before and after their performances.
- Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra
They are our biggest mentors and also our biggest supporters. We do a co-headlining tour once a year with them. The time spent with them, who tour around the world, is special, and I think they are one of the few mentors who truly understandsHEY-SMITH.
I’ve listed 10 bands. They all ended up being friends. (laughs) There are still many more wonderful bands in Japan. Once a year, I hold a festival called “HAZIKETEMAZARE FESTIVAL” in my hometown Osaka to gather my friends, so come and visit from Australia too!
