BxAx Baracus (band)

BxAx Baracus were a metalcore band from Ipswich, Queensland Australia from late 1998 through to 2001. They played an important role in the Australian hardcore punk and metalcore scene. Members still play for various bands in Brisbane.

History

B.A. Baracus started in a small flat in Booval, Ipswich. Taking their name from "The A-Team's" B. A. Baracus, the band consisted of Neil O'Steel (vocals), Crispy Biscuits (guitar), Troy Destroy (bass) and a keyboard for drums. They started with the intent of playing short, fast hardcore punk and metalcore songs, similar to the music they had recently been hearing from the USA, which ranged from the Victory Records sounds of Strife and Earth Crisis to earlier stuff such as Minor Threat, as well as the pop punk sounds of NOFX and Pennywise.

A second vocalist joined not long after, going by the name of Mat Bat. A few songs were written, but they still had no drummer. During this time several different drummers guested with the band at house parties including Buddha of Cursed Earth fame. They finally settled on a full time drummer by the name of Metal Mike. Not long after this they played their first show at the Railway Hotel in Woolloongabba (Brisbane), supporting Infliction and Conation from Newcastle. Not long after they parted ways with Mat Bat, although he would still occasionally sing with the band at shows.

B.A. Baracus bought the metalcore sound to Brisbane at a time when pop punk and crust punk reigned supreme. Having built a strong local following in 2000 they went on to tour Sydney and Canberra, as well as supporting various international bands like Code 13 and Good Clean Fun.

The band parted ways in 2001, and even though there have been a few reformation shows, the band is now history. They released a demo cassette, and a few tracks also appeared on a Snapshot Compilation, Call It Whatever You Want 2.

Members from B.A. Baracus have gone on to perform in other bands, most notably Theory Of Flight, Bjelke Petersen Youth, Draft Dodger, From These Wounds and Just Say Go!.

They also founded a movement that became known as Ipswich City Hardcore. Their mission; unite other hardcore punk and metalcore bands from the Queensland city of Ipswich into an active scene. Some members were widely known for their adherence to the straight edge way of life.

Members

* Neil O'Steel - Vocals
* Crispy Biscuits - Guitar
* Troy Destroy - Bass
* Metal Mike - Drums
* Mat Bat - Vocals (left the band)

Discography

*2000 Demo Cassette
*2000 Call It Whatever You Want 2 - Compilation (Snapshot)