Ego expo was a meeting of all walks of streetwear life, you had fashion forward brands and everything else in between until you got to stall 25, Our booth.

While trap, treble and bass influenced music stormed the venue we battled the airwaves with Ringworm and Municipal Waste.

We were surrounded by great company and the staff looked after us immensely. In between customers Joel and Myself hashed out some more game-plans for this year involving Melbourne made garments, more graphically driven designs and future events happening in Brisbane towards the middle of the year…hint hint.

Thank you to Mel and the staff at the expo, until next time.

I’m Chris Costa, a 70 year old trapped in a 23 year olds body 
originally from a small town on the coast of victoria but have called Melbourne home for the past 2 and a half years.

What drew you (pun intended) to graphic art was it just a transition from paper to computer?

I ran hardcore/punk/metal shows from 13-18 and a big part of that was the poster art. 
So my brother taught me the basics on a stolen copy of photoshop and it kind of just happened and from that,
i got introduced to illustration many years later. 

Your work is easy to pick among the crowd did you set out to do a distinctive style straight off the bat or is it just evolution?

Although I wish I could say it was all planned out none of it was intentional. 
I’m borderline legally blind so when I design something I’m designing it so that even I can read it or see what it is when it’s 25-50 meters away. 
Because of my vision I’ve always been attracted to the bolder lines in life haha 

What’s the office playlist consist of?

Pup, The Beastie Boys and Trapped Under Ice are the main culprits at the moment with a sprinkling of Simon and Garfunkel and Warren Zevon. 

Who would be a dream client for you?

I’ve always wanted to take over an old school diner and re-brand it. Every Logo, Every bottle, the uniforms, All the album artwork in the Jukebox and even the table
numbers. I’m not sure who might have the power to make that happen but that would be the dream. 

If you had to describe your style in 3 words?

BOLD-SIMPLICITY-SYMMETRICAL

Tell us a little about Badlands when did it start and ethos behind it?

Badlands is something I’ve had in the back of my mind for the good part of the last two years after a solo trip to hiking the Rocky Mountains in Canada but officially launched in February of this year. 

The ethos behind Badlands is to look at what takes our breath away and translate that into a wearable garment and do that in a socially and humane way. For me, the natural beauty of the world and love give me that feeling but Badlands is an exploration into how other people interpret that as well which means it’s ever evolving and changing as the brand grows with the people that surround it. 

Where do you want to see Badlands in 2 years?

In two years I’d want Badlands to be collaborating with more artists, putting out clothes on a more regular basis and stocking outside of Australia. 

I try not to look too far in the future and kind of let things take their natural course. If you’re putting hard work and hours into it, the following will eventually come.

Your up and coming collection is titled “Peace Keepers” can you give us an insight into the name and creative direction your taking with it?

I really loved the hippie movement of the 60’s and 70’s and wanted to bring that vibe and that ethos into a 21st-century streetwear style with some darker undertones. 
A lot of floral illustration and designs centered around the way different people interpret “peace”. All of that plus the usual Nature/adventurer feel that Badlands is somewhat known for. 

How does someone become a wild one?

Haha Being a “Wild One” is a reference to Wild in the scents of nature, being within nature and enjoying the natural beauty of the world

And Wild in the scents of anarchy, energy and being a bit out there. 

What’s two things we need more of and two things we need less of in modern society?

Less Ego – More Action – Less hatred – More vegan pizza.

Any last words?

We come in peace.

@chrisxcosta @badlandsbrand

www.bandlandsbrand.com

We are Foxtrot and are we from Melbourne.

Three words to describe your sound.

Spliff Riff Punk.

What’s your routine before playing a show?

I wish it was some sort of chant like “quack, quack, quack… etc” but usually watching the band before us and then scrambling on stage for 10 minute changovers. Sometimes josh enjoys a good ol’ fashioned water fight which always ends in tears.

What can we expect from a Foxtrot performance?

A quick introduction “hey we are Foxtrot” , and then roughly 40 mins of 4 dudes combating fitness and nerves through the martial arts of live music. 

What are five must haves you need on tour?

Our instruments, some beers, hugs, a constant desire to high-five and a lighter.

First piece of band merch you bought ?

Personally i think it was a yellow Batpiss T from one of our first shows in Canberra many moons ago.  

If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life what would it be?

Dude ranch. Consistently stands the test of time. Ages like a fine wine. 

What was the thought process behind Settling for survival? 

Settling for Survival was our latest attempt at redefining our band. We like to think that with every record we put out, a new leaf has grown and our plant based band becomes something new. In this instance our singer songwriter/band liability Josh had come up with riffs that kept evolving into the same song which once he had put lyrics behind, it only made sense to join them together as a trilogy. I think we also really loved the idea/challenge of playing them back to back, like some sort of boss level in a game. 

Whats in the pipeline for Foxtrot? 

Well hopefully Rod Laver Arena sometime in the next 6 months but our backup plan is to smash out another full length and take it for a spin around the country. Our next show is Nov 25th at the Evelyn Hotel for the Keggin Tequila Fiesta single Launch. I hear there will be tacos, “many drinks” and also finely crafted tunes by the Bottlecaps and Runk. Keggin are insanely fun so no siestas that day!

Where would be the best place to find your music/merch?

All our merch is kept safe and sound in a little suit case that we take to shows so the best place is at the gigs. that way we get to say thanks and throw in a free hug. otherwise we have a online portals such as foxtrotpunk.bandcamp.com and and foxtrot.bigcartel.com

Any last words?

This question usually comes up in movies and the outcomes are never good… but we always like to take the chance to say thanks to everyone who’s ever come to a show or taken the time to listen to us whine.. We are always really stoked to find out someone new has picked up a record or watched us play and decided to become a fan. Equal to that is the people who have stuck around and supported us through our lil’ band journey, given us mattresses, picked us up from airports, lent us gear and called them selves friends. love and hugs to them all.

We are Pagan, by way of the fabulous Little Italy section of Hell.

Three words to describe your sound.

Midnight Death Disco!

What’s your routine before playing a show?

We make sure everyone has eaten.

What can we expect from a Pagan performance?

Holes in your dancin’ shoes, baby.

What are five must haves you need on tour?

The Virgin extra baggage allowance for APRA members, places to sleep in relative comfort, good breakfast and coffee each morning, Google maps.

First piece of band merch you bought?

I (Dan) think it was an Offspring – Ixnay on the Hombre American tour shirt that I bought from Missing Link Records (RIP) in like 2000/2001. It was much too big for me!

If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life what would it be?

Andrea Bocelli – Romanza

What is the thought process when sitting down and writing a Pagan song? 

BANGERS ONLY, ONLY BANGERS!

What’s in the pipeline for you? 

Recording an album. Touring the country with King Parrot in December. A few other shows scattered here and there to see out ’17. Lots of sick shit lined up for next year that we can’t talk about yet too, but busy busy!

Where would be the best place to find your music/ merch?

Everything we have is at pagancult.bandcamp.com

Any last words?

Please come see us play. Saluti! x

Three words to describe your sound?

Heavy, aggressive and intense.  

What’s your routine before playing a show?

There’s no set ritual really, it’s usually just grabbing a feed somewhere nearby. 

What can we expect from a Deathbed performance?

Expect an aggressive and hard hitting performance.

What are five must haves you need on tour?

Personally; a pillow, some snacks, iPhone/iPod, comfy pants and patience.

First piece of band merch you bought?

The tour shirt for Metallica’s 1998 Re-load tour that my brother bought me from the Melbourne show.

If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life what would it be?

Elsewhere For 8 Minutes- Something For Kate

What was the thought process behind “Views from my deathbed”?

The thought process behind Views From My Deathbed was to write heavy songs that were original, drawing on our collective influences (old and new) to create something that is heavy and interesting from start to finish.

Whats in the pipeline for Deathbed?

We are currently writing our next release, hoping to finish it within the next 6 or so months. We’re also planning on playing more shows here in Queensland and interstate.

Where would be the best place to find your music/merch?

Any last words?

Support your local scene, bands, labels and businesses.

When Joel and I started Marauder socks were one of the first things we wanted to do. We are stoked when we got the first batch back and they lived up to what we were expecting (I just wanted good skate socks). These are only available through our online site or at events much like Greazefest this weekend, because our sock numbers are small we have decided for the meantime to have them made in Australia to do what little part we can to support locals.

Come say g’day at Greazefest and pick-up a pair or find them under the accessories tab on this site.

WINTER:

We launched what I like to think is our most successful winter to date. Marauder doesn’t want to be a one-dimensional company, we want to design shit we like and what we think looks cool. When it comes to our marketing and designs we want people to be thinking “what is everything going to look like this season?”. Initially, we didn’t want to do fleece because it can be a catch 22 when you are a smaller company, either your products crush it and you sell out or you’re left with boxes of expensive garments that you eventually have to discount heavily to move.

So Joel and myself decided to only launch a few online limited editions for the lucky few that jumped in early.

We still have a few Flaming Eye jackets left but be quick some sizes are already sold out. (Jackets in the header image)

BASICS RANGE:

Upon deliberation with some close friends that love Marauder but can’t get down a hundred percent with our more visually intense graphics, we had the idea of doing a basics range. What better way to introduce our logo to people and still have friends wear our tees, just a more dialed back version.

3 for $75 and free domestic shipping. Fuckin bargain.

FUTURE:

We have been keeping a few cards close to our chest with new product because there are a lot of moving parts that all need to fall into place. But here are some previews:

SOCKS ARE COMING BACK IN BLACK: Socks have always been on our list. I just wanted some socks that were good to skate in but we went one step further, these socks are made in Queensland and the elastic is fuckin’ epic. We are trying to make a conscious effort to do as much stuff as we can closer to home, so this works perfect.

MORE TATTOO CONVENTIONS: We love going to tattoo conventions just because it’s more our environment we can drink a few beers chat to everyone and play our music. We also preview new ideas at some conventions to test the waters and if they are received well we put them into production. Catch us attending as many as we can close to you.

MARAUDER BIRTHDAY: TBA

That’s all I can really divulge right now but I’m going to make an effort to keep you more in the loop with our progression and other cool shit. Have a rad weekend. PMA ALL DAY.

TOM

I’m Mitch I do vocals & I’m from Newcastle as is most of the band although we started in a little town called Muswellbrook originally.

Three words to describe your sound.

Difficult question but I think aggressive, fast & loud are the most basic ones that come to mind.

What’s your routine before playing a show?

Ah we all just chill out I’ll usually mingle with friends at the show have a pineapple juice that’s about it, few of the boys don’t mind a few beers before a set though haha.

What can we expect from a Staunch performance?

Usually a pretty intense live set, fair bit of crowd involvement usually, a fast aggressive attack on the senses haha. We try not to play for too long, rather have people wanting more then deciding they have had enough.

What are five must-haves you need on tour?

Hahahaha money, fresh socks, green tins, yarndi & a solid playlist of absolute bangers. Maybe gear too or something.

First piece of band merch you purchased?

I think it was a shirt from a local thrash band from Newy called Cerebral Contortion.

If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life what would it be?

That’s a very difficult question as I have a pretty varied music taste for different shit. I love listening to old chill shit like Fleetwood or the Eagles or creedence but I love a lot of metal & hardcore as well early 90’s hip hop records. I prob couldn’t pick one album sorry cuz.

Whats in the pipeline for Staunch? 

Ah we are in the finishing stages of an album just trying to tie all that down and see how the response for that goes. We haven’t released an actual release since 2014 and people seem keen for new tunes so we should prob pull out fingers out and do that.

Where would be the best place to find your music/merch?

Most of our music is on the hombre records bandcamp, Merch you usually have to pick up at a show we aren’t really big on bigcartel and stuff yet hahaha.

Why did the chicken cross the road?

Mate why do any of us do anything? I for one choose not to question to chickens motives

Jordan I play guitar, originally born in Brisbane lived on the Gold Coast most of my life and moved to Melbourne 3 years ago. 

Three words to describe your sound.

Don’t expect anything.

What’s your routine before playing a show?

Find food, find a good bathroom, paint ourselves and put on some incense right before we play.

What can we expect from a DREGG performance?

Bunch of dudes doing whack shit, looking whack, playing whack music.

What are five must-haves you need on tour?

Spotify, water, fruit, choof (except Jordan) & 24/7 maccas.

First piece of band merch you purchased?

If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life what would it be?

What was the thought process behind the recent release?

To be honest the idea of the video came from Macca and Heathy based off the songs topic “sorry daddy” I guess the bands “look” is just an expression of our own selves in whatever way we want. We don’t just want to play music we want to entertain people. We want people walking away saying “what the fuck did I just watch” with a massive smile on their face. 

What’s in the pipeline for DREGG?

Couple of releases hopefully out before the end of the year but no promises, next year we just want to tour and potentially write an EP. But we shall wait and find out what the future holds for DREGGMUSIC. 

Where would be the best place to find your music/merch?

Merch definitely at a show or on our big cartel, there isn’t much left though. Music on bandcamp.com or just YouTube convert the few songs we have on the good ole YouTube.

Why did the chicken cross the road?

To go to a DREGG show.