Earlier this month, Eora / Sydney hardcore stalwarts SPEED announced ‘ONLY ONE MODE’, their debut full-length set for release July 12th through their label homes Last Ride Records (AUS)and Flatspot Records (USA). First launching with in-your-face single REAL LIFE LOVE, the band give the next taste of the record today with THE FIRST TEST.
The single is full of dynamics-held notes, groove-driven riffs, and, most notably, a tasteful flute break performed by vocalist Jem Siow. The lyrics speak on finding oneself as a marginalised individual—in Siow’s case, as an Asian-born Australian: striking out alone and growing in a beautiful and ugly world. The music video, produced by SPEED and friends Jack Rudder & Thomas Elliot, shifts from a parking lot mosh to a powerful performance from the band.
SPEED and hardcore are two words that have become synonymous on a global scale. The Eora / Sydney-based band have staked claim on the genre through exhilarating live performances, epic music videos, and staying true to themselves. The five-piece have coined the phrase ‘ONLY ONE MODE’, so it’s no surprise it declares the title of their debut record. This is what they’re about: Hardcore, played hard, played fast, “for us, by us”—explicit, immediate, definitive—hinting at all the crucial bands that have come before them.
Formed in 2019, the members of SPEED – brothers Jem Siow (vocals) and Aaron Siow (bass), guitarists Josh Clayton and Dennis Vichidvongsa, and drummer Kane Vardon – never set out for popularity. The band has always done things on their own terms, working with the same collaborators since inception – producer Elliott Gallart and videographer Jack Rudder. When 2021 single We See U was released, the song quickly rose to a million streams, unprecedented for a hardcore act from Sydney at the time. 2022’s ‘Gang Called Speed’ EP became a definitive moment for the band. Following the critically acclaimed release, SPEED found themselves touring across the world – North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Australia – and documenting it all along the way.
This is a hardcore band from Australia who surpassed what they thought they might do at the start and has since doubled down, ‘ONLY ONE MODE’, as fast and as hard as possible. SPEED are doing what they do for the love of their friends, family and the culture of Australian hardcore. They’re under the global spotlight for now, bright enough that their whole scene’s right there with them.
SPEED is currently in the midst of a six-week North American tour supporting Knocked Loose, Show Me The Body, and Loathe. From there, the band will head to Europe for a number of shows and festival plays, including appearances at Download, Hellfest, and Flatspot World. All dates below.
The First Test is out now, buy/stream it here.
‘Only One Mode’ LP
out July 12 via Last Ride Records / Flatspot Records
PRE-ORDER HERE
INTERNATIONAL TOUR DATES
30 May – Brooklyn Steel – Brooklyn, NY
31 May – Terminal 5 – New York, NY
1 Jun – Roadrunner – Boston, MA
3 Jun – Franklin Music Hall – Philadelphia, PA
4 Jun – Olympia – Montreal, QC
5 Jun – History – Toronto, ON
7 Jun – The Ritz – Raleigh, NC
8 Jun – The Eastern – Altanta, GA
9 Jun – Jannus Live – St. Petersburg, FL
14 Jun – Download Festival – Donnington, UK
15 Jun – Brudenell Social Club – Leeds, UK
16 Jun – Flatspot World – London, UK
18 Jun – Oettinger Villa – Darmstadt, GER
19 Jun – Kulttempe – Overhausen, GER
20 Jun – De Chinastraat – Ghent, BEL
21 Jun – Superbowl of Hardcore – Rennes, FRA
22 Jun – Low L Festival – Guardamiglio, IT
23 Jun – Full Force – Gräfenhainichen, GER
24 Jun – Kunstverein – Nürnberg, GER
26 Jun – Resurrection Festival – Viveiro, SPA
28 Jun – Hellfest – Clisson, FRA
12 Jul – Belasco Theater – Los Angeles, CA
17 Jul – Amityville Music Hall – Long Island, NY
19 Jul – Brooklyn Monarch w/ Have Heart – Brooklyn, NY
20 Jul – Roadrunner w/ Have Heart – Boston, MA
Photo by James Hartley
Thanks to Twnty Three
