Over-Reactor

Hey guys, Zeke here. Check out these lyrics I wrote this afternoon for our new track “Torture Den”:

So innocence is lost again,
You’re looking for a solo friend
And every supposition’s just another question that depends
On an answer never coming, hounded through the streets your running
All your shoes are wearing thin on the toe
Yeah I’ve got guitar strings that are gonna move you in a second
And as I lay it down it ain’t the finger that will beckon
Just the microphone, I form these syllables with ease
I’m taking on the bankers, while your busy hugging trees
My number for the system and my culture from the pen
You gather round your mortgage like it’s something to defend
and subvert my culture, to sell it down the line
Using pornographic billboards that assault the eyes and mind
My patience growing thinner, as I claw the uniform
And my foes are getting stronger, yeah I’ve seen it all before
The money has been building up to something it can’t say
Mixing heart attacks and slavery with “having a nice day”
So blinded by Tattslotto, buying tickets that expire
Yeah that’s twenty bucks spent, get the money hungry high
A chance to dream a chance to scheme, forgetting that your lost
In the war machine around you, ever wondered what it costs?

No?
Well that’s how they do it.

That’s how they do it every time, you might’ve noticed all the liars
You’d have seen it in the smile spitting semen from the spire
The wonder is destroyed unless we occupy the land
Forget the constellations, come and lend a helping hand
Analyze the reasons, your friends are talking crap
Resistance put it’s roots in, produces all the sap,
This tree is growing stronger, every fucking day
And I’m here to lay it down the only way I know how

Take a seat you fucking cheat, I’ve got your number now,
We’ve seen you in your uniform, strutting round the town
Pistol whipping faggots and oppressing all the whores
The murdered Aborigine has the right to settle scores
Finally got my accent on, finally got my grip
Finally got a strategy for turning mood to shift
While others find their rhymes are getting blander by the second
Once again my lexicon becomes a day of reckoning
Ho! I’m coming in faster, with Noam Chomsky in a trance
Ideas are the substance, they’re the floor on which we dance
Forget about the halo, it’s been swept up in the tide
Forget your schools instructions it’s the workers time to shine,
Watch em put the money in, watch em push us round again
Every single crime of theirs is coming back around again,
Oh the torture den, ah the torture den,
Bricks and mortar that they’ve build up all around you then
Oh the torture den, ah the torture den,
Fuck the boredom that they’ve built up all around you then

With Cory’s drums finished tracking in the St Kilda studio (a process that spawned two completely new tracks) the stage is set for Zeke to raise hell again in front of his trusty Rode NT 1000. By the end of this week he’ll have a vocal booth built in his Princes Hill home, and will be working around the clock to make “The Mouth Of The Ghetto” something truly unique.

“Sonically, Cory’s carved something really brave and challenging this time round.” Zeke reported recently. “Vocally, the canvas is blank. The options are endless, and there’s revolution in the air around the world right now.”

The artwork is currently under construction in Josh Meney’s studio, and will be hanging in the booth to inspire Zeke as he works. Stay tuned for studio blogs, snippets of lyrics and photos from the booth.

Over-Reactor have been invited by our friends Floating Me to support them in Melbourne and Geelong on the 27th and 28th of October. The band features members of Cog and Karnivool, and these gigs will be huge.

27th at the Bended Elbow in Geelong and the 28th at The East Brunswick Club in Melbourne.

Tickets available from the venues or http://www.oztix.com.au

It’s been a whirlwind eighteen months. National supports for Karnivool, Cog and Poetikool Justice, headline shows in VIC, SA, QLD, TAS and NSW, four self-produced releases and three film clips were the stand out elements of Over-Reactor’s launch program.

Never a band to rest on their laurels, Zeke and Cory have been back in the studio working on their new album, which is now set for release next year. The album will be titled “The Mouth Of The Ghetto” and sees the band further developing their sound, whilst retaining the dark, brooding heaviness that have seen legions of new fans getting on board around the world.

Tracks like “Realising”, “Fuck Your Culture”, “Ridiculous Two-Step” and the title track “The Mouth Of The Ghetto” are simmering away on Cory’s hard-drive, and the early response from fans (Zeke has been playing the tracks on his head phones to punters who approach him on the street) and the bands crew have been extremely positive.

The decision has been made to extend the process, and the album is now due out in February. More on what’s to come soon.

We’ll keep you updated from the studio in the meantime.

We’ve been privileged enough to be offered support slot on Karnivool’s national tour.

Here are the dates:

Wednesday 08/06/2011 Pier, Frankston, VIC
Thursday 09/06/2011 Corner, Melbourne, VIC
Friday 10/06/2011 Corner, Melbourne, VIC
Saturday 11/06/2011 Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully, VIC
Sunday 12/06/2011 Kay Street Inferno, Traralgon, VIC
Wednesday 15/06/2011 ANU Bar, Canberra, ACT
Thursday 16/06/2011 Waves, Wollongong, NSW
Friday 17/06/2011 Penrith Panthers, Penrith, NSW
Saturday 18/06/2011 Roundhouse, Sydney, NSW
Sunday 19/06/2011 Newcastle Panthers, Newcastle, NSW
Wednesday 22/06/2011 Panthers, Port Macquarie, NSW
Thursday 23/06/2011 C.ex Coffs, Coffs Harbour, NSW
Friday 24/06/2011 The HiFi, Brisbane, QLD
Saturday 25/06/2011 Coolangatta Hotel, Gold Coast, QLD
Sunday 26/06/2011 Caloundra RSL, Caloundra, QLD
Wednesday 29/06/2011 Andergrove Tavern, Mackay, QLD
Thursday 30/06/2011 Magnums, Airlie Beach, QLD
Friday 01/07/2011 The Venue, Townsville, QLD
Saturday 02/07/2011 Brothers, Cairns, QLD
Monday 04/07/2011 The HiFi, Brisbane, QLD
Wednesday 06/07/2011 Corner, Melbourne, VIC
Thursday 07/07/2011 HQ, Adelaide, SA

Related show

• Artist: Over-Reactor
• Tour: Karnivool – Sound Awake Tour
• Date: Wednesday, June 8th 2011
• Time: 8:00pm
• City: Over-Reactor in Frankston, VIC
• Venue: Pier Hotel
• Country: AU
• Add to Google Calendar | Download iCal

2011 release, Lose Your Delusion, is the culmination of Melbourne death-hop duo, OVER-REACTOR’s blood, sweat and tears in 2010. Already released as a limited edition, hand-made double album, the band then let the fans decide, running an online poll to whittle down 31 tracks to sixteen. Rarely has an album been released that has been so meticulously researched, carefully crafted and solidly executed by two artists whose rejection of the mainstream has led to a DIY approach in all aspects of this album’s creation.

All Shields Down – This song is the duo’s mission statement. The lyrics detail Over-reactor’s intent as a band “I’ll be the download child of a new generation”. Classic death-hop.

Point To Push – On this track Ezekiel Ox delivers the rawest and most honest performance of his career to date. “His victims are many but so are his family”. The final moments of the song are the heaviest on the record.

The Gangbangers – This Beastie Boys inspired track was written in response to political apathy. “Looping of the Gangbangers” tells the story of a singer who can’t stop fighting oppression because they won’t stop dealing it out.

Handfed – This is a funk indictment on a system that creates its own myths, then prints and screens them until we believe the lies, reaches one of the most intense crescendos on the album at 2.25 min. “I won’t be handfed”.

Nu Metal Motherfuckers – Old school Helmet courses throughout this track’s veins as it relentlessly sweeps the listener up into hardcore. The songs narrative tells the story of a shoplifter acquiring supplies for dinner. “I stuff my pants and coat, Happy with a deep freeze and a papadum”.

The Chemical Sound – True to the death-hop sound and structure, this hook laden and melodic track sees Over-reactor swaggering and roaring towards musical infamy. “We’ve got the Chemical Sound”.

Word – One of the latest tracks written for the album, Word blends metal sounds with hip-hop attitude “I’m animated and I’m calibrated, and I crave veracity”.

Call In The Bombers – Cory pushes his single kick chops the limit on this furious stream of consciousness punk, master work. The lyrics slaughter the sacred cows “Cut down the flag pole, at the pig station, I’m not afraid to spread the shit and burn a nation”.

Naked Words – This is the first track ever written by the duo. It expresses a Hate-breed attitude, and clearly defines itself politically, “You wanna push around the weak and oppressed, We will be there!”

Something More – ARIA award winner Chris Cheney struts in to pour his acid-blues licks onto this track. The funk gets taken for a solid walk. “They don’t want revolution, they just try to divide”.

Mechanism – Written after Ezekiel spoke and marched in support of Julian Assange in Melbourne, this poppy, melodic track turns the spotlight onto the governments of this world: “I just want to make it something simpler, then a genocidal maniac making excuses.”

Doogie Howser – A cacophony of images from sunset Boulevard to the Hollywood Hills taken from Ezekiel’s time living there as a young man. “You pray for one thing, a limo trip, the smashing of your brains in with a bullet clip”.

What The Fuck Am I On? – Blight’s beat drives this funk loaded and grief stricken track. The explosion of melody at the end is an unexpected moment in an otherwise brutal song cycle. “Sold down that river again”.

Control Of This – This track takes the seethe to a new level. Ox saunters, cock sure of his place on the stage, and Blight’s rhythms only serve to bolster the attitude, “Give it time, and then watch it roll in, in time we’re gonna go out and move this crowd”.

Free Music – A strong message from two artists who have rejected the mainstream music industry to create albums, film clips and a live show by themselves. “I once was signed but now I see, It’s time to set the music free”.

Best Of Worst – The most wounded, hurt and powerful vocal on the album set against the most bone rattling groove. The band’s use of sampling to end the album is haunting and drills the message home. “We’ve all done stealing, Don’t mean it leads to the wrong side of the tracks”.

Thanks to all who voted in the Lose Your Delusion poll. Track listing is as follows:

1. All Shields Down
2. Point To Push
3. The Gangbangers
4. Handfed
5. Nu Metal Motherfuckers
6. The Chemical Sound
7. Word
8. Call In The Bombers
9. Naked Words
10. Something More
11. Mechanism
12. Doogie Howser
13. What The Fuck Am I On?
14. Control Of This
15. Free Music
16. Best Of Worst

If you’ve bought the first two records already, we don’t expect you to buy this “Best Of Worst” collection. We’ve got some brand new tracks Coming For You.

Lose Your Delusion should be available by the end of next week.

Hello.

I signed up for Telstra mobile broadband on the 8th of February 2011 at the Chapel St, South Yarra store.

Before heading to the store, I spoke to Telstra customer service over the phone, and was told I could get a 7GB $49.95 per month plan. I was told that this plan was throttled when I reached my download limit. There would be no extra charges. This is exactly what I was after.

After waiting for nearly an hour at the Chapel St store (which was fine, there was a queue of customers before me), a salesperson came to assist me.

I noticed a $39.95 per month deal advertised in store. The salesperson told me there were no more of those modems left, but if I had an ABN I could get the $49.95 business plan (7GB).

I was told to get the $49.95 business plan I would need to supply my ABN and a letter of authorisation, authorising myself to sign up to a plan, on a letterhead. I wasn’t able to organise this. I thought this sounded ridiculous for a sole trader but was assured this was the case.

After telling the salesperson I could not send a letter of authorisation, she went to the back room. When she returned, apparently a modem for the home  7GB plan had magically appeared in stock.

I was sold the modem for $299, assured that I did not need to sign up to any other Telstra services, and I could sign up to the $39.95 7GB plan when I returned home. All I had to do was select the 24 month option and the $299 would be refunded.

When installing the software at home I discovered that the only option for the 7GB plan cost $59.95. I called customer service and was told I could only get the plan if I bundled it with another Telstra service. The representative assured me because the $39.95 plan was promised in store, Telstra would have to honour this. I was transferred to another operator who told me no, Telstra could not honour this and I would have to return to the store. I asked to speak to his supervisor. He took my number and said his supervisor would call back in 5-10 minutes. I never received that call.

At 5pm I called the store to see when they were open until. No-one answered. I received a recorded message that said the store was open until 6pm Monday to Friday. I again caught public transport to the store. I arrived at 5.35 pm. The store was closed. On the front door it said Monday to Friday the store was open until 5.30pm. I waved my modem at the Salesperson closing the till, and demanded I be let in.

After being let in, I explained my situation. The salesperson told me customer service had the wrong information, as the system had only changed the day before. He searched my plan on the net and found that no, it was the salespeople in store who were in the wrong. He apologised.

I told him about the wrong opening hours information on their message bank. He told me they had recently changed their opening hours, but had forgotten to change their message bank. He thanked me for letting him know.

Finally, I signed up to the $49.95 business plan I had tried to sign up to 5 hours earlier by simply supplying my ABN – no letter of authorisation! My entire afternoon was wasted. I run a recording studio from home and had to move my work schedule back an entire day.

I would like to know how Telstra are going to compensate me for my wasted time. I am extremely unhappy with the company’s poor, incompetent service.

Regards,

Cory Blight

QLD took to the Death-Hop with gusto, thanks to all the wonderful people that came down to the shows in Loganholme, Coloundra, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.  All the shows were a great success. Huge thanks to Grinner and Shandy for putting Cory and Ezekiel up for the half week.  Was great sleeping long days, then cruising to the gig.  Made for a fun weekend.  Special mention goes to Galaxy and Perspektive for bringing great music to the tour.  We’ve attatched a photograph of the tour party. Cory and Zeke are back in the studio this week, working on the new tracks, film clips in March…

Yesterday was an exciting day in the studio. I recorded some rough drums to the new music tracks we’re working on. There are about twelve tracks on the go. I’m not sure if all of them will make it through, but there’s some exciting stuff in there! Lots of fun to drum to. Stay tuned!