Tag: The Go Set

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Go Set Release Killer Comeback Song, “West Into the Sun”

Not a lot of bands survive 20 years. Fewer still rock just as hard as they always did. But the release of The Go Set’s new single “West Into the Sun” proves they’re doing just yet. I also have it on good authority that their new album The Warriors Beneath Us, which drops on March 17, is one of their best.

“We have done it the hard way,” admitted The Go Set’s frontman, Justin Keenan. “I don’t know a band that has slept on as many floors as we have. We have done 1,500 shows and played in 27 or 28 different countries, and you are always building from scratch every night when you do that.”

But of course, struggle builds greatness. Such is the case with The Warriors Beneath Us, which came out of a brand new challenge for the band: the COVID pandemic.

“We weren’t playing live so revenue was down but during COVID we discovered we could record ourselves at home without being on the clock in a big studio,” Justin explained. “An idea for a song would come from me and we would send it around to our home studios. We could add, subtract, layer, and that became the creative process. That was new for us. We didn’t have a budget but we had all the time we needed to make the record we wanted.”

The Go Set will mark the release of The Warriors Beneath Us with their first tour in three years.

“It’s exciting to be reconnecting with people and getting out on the road. We’ve had limited opportunities over the last couple of years and we’re really excited about sharing the new material at these shows. It was something I think we may have taken for granted a while back, but a couple of years of lockdowns and unprecedented difficulty has actually made us realise how much we truly appreciate each other, playing live, and sharing our music with people around the world”.

Tickets for all those Go Set shows are on sale now, so grab yours before they sell out!

31 March 31 – Vinnies Dive, Bundjalung Country/Gold Coast
1 April 2023 – The Zoo, Meeanjin/Brisbane
2 April 2023 – Platform 5, Turrbul Country/Nundah
14 April 2023 – TBC, Naarm/Melbourne
15 April 2023 – Crown and Anchor, Tarntanya/Adelaide
21 April 2023 – The Founders Room, Salamanca Arts Centre, Nipaluna/Hobart
22 April 2023 – The Royal Oak, Therrernotepanner, Leterrermairrener and Panniher Country/Launceston
23 April 2023 – Kindred Hall, Tommeginne Country/Kindred
28 April 2023 – Moshpit Bar, Eora/Sydney
29 April 2023 – Dicey Rileys, Woolyungah/Wollongong

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Go Set Tour Album Number 5

The Go Set hearkens back to the glory days of punk music, a time when this music was truly rebellious and infused with a social conscience. To celebrate the release of their fifth album next month, also titled The Go Set, the Victorian quintet are hitting the road.

The album features the new single “Drums of Chelsea,” a raucous number which is sure to explode on the stage. If you’ve never experienced a Go Set show before this is your chance, as they’re playing pretty much everywhere!

24 February 2012 – Crown and Anchor, Adelaide
25 February 2012 – National Hotel, Geelong
3 March 2012 – Boolarra Festival, La Trobe Valley
9 March 2012 – Brisbane Hotel, Hobart
10 March 2012 – St Mary’s Hotel, St Marys
11 March 2012 – Bridge Hotel, Forth
15 March 2012 – Clancys, Fremantle
16 March 2012 – Indi Bar, Perth
17 March 2012 – Nukara Festival, Geraldton
18 March 2012 – St Patricks Festival @ Hyde Park, Sydney
6 & 8 April 2012 – National Folk Festival, Canberra
11 April 2012 – Railway Hotel, Byron Bay
12 April 2012 – The Beergarden, Surfers Paradise
13 April 2012 – Kings Beach Tavern, Caloundra
14 April 2012 – Prince of Wales, Brisbane
20 April 2012 – Southern Cross Club, Canberra
21 April 2012 – Sando, Sydney
4 May 2012 – The Espy, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A With Justin Keenan from The Go Set

With its surprising blend of punk and Celtic music, The Go Set’s fourth album Rising has taken up permanent residence in my stereo. I recently caught up with lead singer and guitarist Justin Keenan to learn more about this exciting band.

Rising is your fourth album in as many years. How do you stay so prolific?
It’s just a matter of being creative all the time, rather than writing songs when you need them I guess. I think constantly writing songs also helps you improve as a songwriter much more between albums. Being independent, I suppose that we are in the position where we need to constantly have new material in the market too, because we don’t have the mainstream media prolonging the lifespan of the songs like a major label act has.

On this album you worked with Jonathon Burnside, who has produced some massive punk releases (Melvins, NOFX). What was it like to have him involved?
The guy is great to work with. He’s really creative in a wacky kind of way, and it was the first time we’ve made a recording where the producer actually came in and really messed with the sound. It was good because he really identified the band’s live sound and captured it really well. He’s got a stack of great rock stories too!

Your music goes back to the roots of punk with its political and social messages. What has you fired up at the moment?
The environment is an issue that drives me fucking nuts. It’s been glaringly obvious for so long that we need to change our patterns of living, and yet oil companies and car manufacturers continue the old practices to extract every last cent before the world becomes unliveable. I think what drives me nuts the most about that situation is that people see themselves as individuals at the mercy of large corporations, but in fact it is quite the opposite. If every person in Australia decided not to drive a car or go to work for a day, who would hold the power then? Most people don’t realise the power of collective action in bringing about change.

You’ve covered “New Race” on this album. Are you all big Radio Birdman fans?
Yeah, I grew up on Radio Birdman. We actually worked with Rob Younger in 2006, he produced our Hungry Mile album. New Race is a cranking song and fits really well with our political stance.

Your music is so unique with its traditional Celtic instrumentation and punk sensibilities. How have music fans taken to it?
When we started the band we actually thought that people would hate it. It’s got bagpipes for Christ’s sake. Funnily enough, the band has got a really strong following everywhere these days. It’s partly due to lots of touring, and I think that people connect with the honesty in the music. We aren’t trying to be anything that we are not. We all grew up on this type of music, so it feels really natural to play.

Rising is your fourth indie release. Why do you choose to remain independent artists?
Partly its because it is a distinct style of music, and major labels are not interested in taking risks on a band like us, but mainly its because we love to be able to do what we want with our music and everything that we have created so far, songs and fans, is our own doing. There’s a real satisfaction in that I think.

You’ve played some massive international festivals, but here in Australia we’re likely to see you playing pub gigs. How do the big festival shows compare with the more intimate ones?
I love both. The festivals are great because they get you in front of a lot of new people who wouldn’t otherwise have seen you, but the pub gigs are always chaotic and crazy – lots of beer and singalongs. Both have a really special energy.

You’re touring the album all across Australia. How do you keep each show fresh?
We have a massive setlist of about 30 songs, so we change it around a little each night. Besides, every show is always going to be fresh because it’s a different city, different crowd etc.

What do you miss most when you’re on the road?
Going for a surf after school, and my two kids

And finally, do you have a message for your fans out there?
If you haven’t got the record – go and buy it! We’ll be heading around the country again in February and March and then off to Europe in June.

Make sure you keep an eye on Oz Music Scene to see all those 2009 gig dates as they’re announced!

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Win "Rising" by The Go Set

I must admit, I haven’t had a lot of time for punk music lately. In the glory days bands like The Clash and The Pogues created tunes that were musically complex and lyrically revolutionary. But somewhere along the way it became all about three-chord wonders who think a few tattoos and piercings make you edgy. If you’re as tired of these homogenised punk outfits as I am, you’re going to love The Go Set.

This Melbourne band serves up classic punk music with a side order of traditional celtic and folk sounds. It’s a unique take, but when you consider that the founding members grew up with Irish/Australian parents it all makes perfect sense. I haven’t heard punk music played with a mandolin or set of bagpipes since The Dropkick Murphys!

Rising is The Go Set’s fourth album in as many years. That it features 10 solid original songs, plus an outstanding cover of Radio Birdman’s “New Race” is a testimony to their prolific talent. The CD sees a return to their punk rock origins and an exploration of some new ground. By dabbling in reggae and ska, The Go Set has created an eclectic collection of tunes.

The original blend of sounds on Rising makes it a lot more accessible than many punk recordings. It also makes The Go Set stand out in a world where I struggle to tell my Simple Plan from my Good Charlotte. If you’ve always dismissed punk music as being too simplistic and discordant, this might just be the album to change your mind.

I have three copies of Rising to give away to my loyal readers.

If you want to win one, just leave a comment to this entry telling me why you want to win! Too easy! Make sure you leave your e-mail address (this won’t be posted publicly) so I can get in touch with you if you win.

Entries close at 5 pm AEST on November 19, and I’ll announce the winners on Thursday November 20.

Image source: The Go Set MySpace

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Go Set Go Around Australia

Melbourne’s The Go Set are heading on the road to celebrate the release of their fourth album, Rising.

This unique band proudly wear their eclectic influences on their sleeve, finding inspiration from such diverse musical genres as traditional celtic music and and early seventies punk rock. The result is completely original, and totally unforgettable. Where else can you hear the bagpipes, accordion, and mandolin playing alongside some distorted heavy guitars?

Rising shows the band rediscovering their punk roots while adding new flavours of reggae and ska. It was recorded with famed US producer Jonathon Burnside (Melvins, NOFX, Sleepy Jackson) in Melbourne. It will be in stores this Saturday.
2008 has a been a busy year for the boys, who also found time to tour Japan and Europe, where they signed a deal with punk label Coretex. But now they’re back to wow local crowds. Check them out at the following dates.

10 October 2008 – ANU Bar, Canberra
11 October 2008 – Annandale Hotel, Sydney
17 October 2008 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
18 October 2008 – The Pub, Bendigo
19 October 2008 – National Hotel, Geelong (all ages)
23 October 2008 – Bon Amici, Toowoomba
24 October 2008 – Pig and Whistle, Maroochydore
25 October 2008 – Queen Street Mall, Brisbane (all ages)
25 October 2008 – The Jubilee, Brisbane
31 October 2008 – National Hotel, Geelong
1 November 2008 – Portland Bay Festival, Hobart
6 November 2008 – Brisbane Hotel, Hobart
7 November 2008 – Batman Fawkner, Launceston
8 November 2008 – River Rocks @ Barwon Club, Geelong

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment