+44

When blink-182 disbanded the trio did not disintegrate completely. Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker refused to fade into the background. Instead they reunited under the aegis of a new band, +44, and released their much-anticipated debut album, When Your Heart Stops Beating in November of 2006. Also recruited for their new journey as +44 – pronounced "Plus 44" – was Shane Gallagher (The Nervous Return) and Craig Fairbaugh (Transplants, The Forgotten, Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards), who join singer-bassist Hoppus and drummer-keyboardist Barker.

"We were two-thirds of blink-182, so we're not afraid of sounding like ourselves," says Hoppus. "We're not divorcing ourselves from the past, but we are pushing beyond the past. We're progressing like musicians should." Barker agrees: "Mark and I have a natural chemistry after playing together for so long and it's only gotten stronger. This band is a continuation of blink-182 but it's also different. For a long time, blink-182 was an underdog. I like being the underdog again.”

Unwritten Law

Joining +44 is Unwritten Law, the musical chameleons which have had Australian fans rocking out to the harmonic fireworks of ‘Seein’ Red,’ air-scratching the turntable squeaks of ‘Cailin,’ and karaoke-ing the staccato self-deprecation of ‘Save Me.’ As one of pop-punk’s mainstays, it is practically impossible to confine Unwritten Law to a tidy little box; but the guys themselves have given it their best shot with the release of their first best-of compilation, Hit List (a logical title that barely beat out silver medallist Still Poor)! The record is hardly a cash-in cobbling of stuff you already own, instead, the band hunkered down in a Los Angeles studio to re-record 14 fan favourites and two brand new tracks. Needless to say, the guys are serving up a best-of set live on their current world tour.

Juliet and The Licks

Juliette Lewis has played quite a few high-energy freaks for Hollywood, but none of her silver screen characters can prepare audiences for the over the top ferocity she unleashes when fronting her band, Juliette & the Licks. In 2003 Lewis appeared in the video for H.I.M.'s ‘Buried Alive By Love’ and rounded up her four-piece band, the Licks. It was at Johnny Depp's club, the Viper Room, that audiences first got to hear the Van Halen meets Iggy Pop sound of the Licks. The band toured the West Coast hard for the next year with Lewis hitting the stage in spandex, high-heeled boots, and other attire that shouted "rocker." Audience and critical reaction to the Licks' live show varied from positive to blown away. In 2004, Lewis appeared as vocalist and co-songwriter on the Prodigy's album Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned. A month later the Licks' debut EP, ...Like a Bolt of Lightning, was released. More touring – including the 10th annual Vans Warped Tour – followed before Juliette & the Licks released their full-length debut, You're Speaking My Language, in May of 2005.

The Format

Self-described as a "desert pop" band, Arizona based The Format materialised around two friends, vocalist Nate Ruess and multi –i-instrumentalist Sam Means, in the early 2000s. Taking influence from '60s music to craft their own spirited indie pop melodies, the pair were barely in their twenties when they laid down their debut EP. Next thing they knew, the first track from that EP – the aptly titled ‘The First Single’ – found its way onto local radio and became a hometown hit. A debut album and record label changes followed, but despite any problems The Format still managed to develop a devoted (and rapidly growing) fan base that stretched far beyond Phoenix's city limits. Through an engaging live show, their music continued to spread nationwide. Having recently released their new album through their own label, The Format have continued to win over fans and critics alike, with Absolutepunk.net gushing:

“… this reviewer hasn't found another album that hits all of the right emotional chords and strikes so poignantly at the root of all that he feels is right about music in general. The Format have now released two stellar albums. This feat not only secures them a place in your favourite band list - but it goes beyond even that as they take a clear shot of becoming one of the best bands around in any scene.”

Do not miss the rock show of the season as +44, Unwritten Law, Juliette & the Licks and The Format combine forces to take on Melbourne and Adelaide in 2007!

ON SALE FRIDAY 12 JANUARY