Project Mayhem

Infobox musical artist
Name = Project Mayhem


Img_capt =
Img_size =
Landscape = Yes
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Perth, Western Australia,
Australia
Genre = Punk rock
Rock'n'roll
Hard rock
Gonzo Rock
Years_active = 2001 - present
Label = Blazing Strumpet
(2004-2005)
Associated Acts = Standard Deviants, zxspecky, Mickey Flash, Cal Peck & The Tramps, The Kids
URL = [http://www.myspace.com/projectmayhemperth MySpace website]
Current_members = Jes Fitzgerald
Jozef Grech
James McKay
Ben Watson
Past_members = Andrew Bardwell
Pete Bardwell
Lance Cockman
Lee Hollis
Mick Napier
Nathan Reeves

Project Mayhem is a band based in Perth, Western Australia, consisting of Ben Watson (vocals), Jozef Grech (guitar), Jes Fitzgerald (bass), and James McKay (drums). In 2008 they were announced as winners of the state-wide Next Big Thing band competition. This followed earlier nominations for "Best Punk Band" at the West Australian Music Industry Association awards 2008, and for the WAM Song of the Year (Rock Category) in 2007 for the lead track off their "No Rest For The Wicked" EP, entitled "Fuck Yeah!".

History

The band can trace their early history to Central TAFE's Leederville based "Music Industry Skills" programme. Early lineups featured current singer Ben Watson on rhythm guitar, with a revolving lineup that had settled to Andrew Bardwell (lead guitar), Lance Cockman (bass), and Nathan Reeves (drums) by the time of their first pub gig on 9 May 2002 at the Grosvenor Frontroom. The lineup continued to evolve through early gigging experiences, often centred around that notoriousFact|date=October 2008 Western Australian underground punk venue, the Hyde Park Hotel.

By 2003 the lineup had incorporated Standard Deviants bass player Jes Fitzgerald into the band, and Watson had settled as the group's frontman/vocalist with Andrew Bardwell handling sole guitar duties and his brother Peter Bardwell on drums. The band toured the South West of the state (including Margaret River and Bunbury). Upon their return Andrew left the band and was replaced by Standard Deviants guitarist Jozef Grech on a temporary basis.

Project Mayhem released their cassette "Pop Tunes From Hell" in February 2004 on Blazing Strumpet Records. [cite web|url=http://www.blazingstrumpet.com/records/index.php?item=bs-01|title=Project Mayhem "Pop Tunes From Hell"|publisher=Strumpet Records|accessdate=2008-10-08] The band continued through the first half of the year until Grech was replaced again by Andrew Bardwell. This reunion was unsuccessful, and Andrew was fired on-stage in a spectacular fashion at a gig at HQ by Watson, drunk on tequila and his own sense of self-importanceFact|date=October 2008.

Re-hiring Grech, and recruiting James McKay from the recently-disbanded Mickey Flash on drums, Project Mayhem re-formed in mid-2005 to release the "Pass The Coopers / Pass The Goon" split EP with zxspecky, again on Blazing Strumpet Records. [cite web|url=http://www.blazingstrumpet.com/records/index.php?item=bs-06|title=Project Mayhem & zxspecky "Pass the Coopers/Pass the Goon"|publisher=Strumpet Records|accessdate=2008-10-08] Although the reformation was intended to be temporary, the band gigged sporadically and by mid-2006 were again a regular feature on the local pub circuit, culminating in their support for The Mexicans and an appearance on the "Devil's Kitchen" stoner punk rock festival. [cite web|url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/reviews/events/7823/Devils-Kitchen-Rosemount-Hotel-North-Perth-1022007.htm?city=1|title=Devil's Kitchen @ Rosemount Hotel, North Perth (10/2/2007)|publisher=FasterLouder.com.au|accessdate=2008-10-08]

The end result of this convoluted bullshit was the release in May 2007 of "No Rest For The Wicked", which is regarded by the band as their debut. [cite web|url=http://www.perthbands.com/displayReview.php?type=CD&reviewID=24 |title=No Rest for the Wicked|publisher=PerthBands.com|accessdate=2008-10-08] [cite web|url=http://www.wagigguide.com.au/entertainers/Project_Mayhem.htm|title=Project Mayhem|publisher=WA Gig Guide|accessdate=2008-10-08] In October the lead track "Fuck Yeah!" was nominated for " WAM Rock Song of the Year" by the prestigious West Australian Music Industry Association. [cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,22523989-5005381,00.html|title=WAM Song of the Year Nominees Announced|publisher=Perth Now|date=2008-10-03|accessdate=2008-10-08] Project Mayhem left their mark on proceedings by hiring a limousine and drinking a significant amount of alcohol, resulting in a police warning and a significant number of interruptions to what Watson described as "a school assembly"Fact|date=October 2008.

In February the band were nominated for "Best Punk Band 2008" by the same organisation. [cite web |url=http://www.mca.org.au/index.php?id=493|title=WAMi Award nominess announced!!|publisher=Music Council of Australia|accessdate=2008-10-08] This time they behaved themselves, although were asked to leave the backstage area of Beck's Music Box by festival staff after leaping over the guard rails to steal the cake that The Homicides had rightfully wonFact|date=October 2008.

Project Mayhem had entered the Next Big Thing originally in 2006 but were disqualified in the first round, which was won by Streetlight. Trying again in 2008 [cite web|url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/reviews/events/13844/NBT-Heat-7-Rosemount-250608.htm|title=NBT Heat 7 @ Rosemount, 25/06/08 |publisher=FasterLouder.com.au|accessdate=2008-10-08] , the band were successful and took out the award [cite web|url=http://nextbigthing.net.au/news.htm|title=Next Big Thing 2008|publisher=Healthway (WA Health Department)|accessdate=2008-10-08] , which has gained them spots on HyperFest [cite web|url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/local/14487/Hyper-Festival-heats-up-Winter-08.htm |title=Hyper Festival heats up Winter 08|publisher=FasterLouder.com.au|accessdate=2008-10-08] , the Big Day Out, WAMI Festival [cite web|url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/features/7745/WAMi-Festival-preview-part-two.htm|title=WAMi Festival preview: part two|publisher=FasterLouder.com.au|accessdate=2008-10-08] and In The Pines.

On 6 September 2008, the band hired an authentic 19th century Paddle Steamer and launched their new CD "...Go Gonzo" on the waters of Western Australia's iconic Swan River. [cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,24261920-5005364,00.html|title=Pick of the gigs|publisher=Perth Now|date=2008-08-30|accessdate=2008-10-08] A capacity audience of 200 people drank the $5000 bar card that night in less than one hourFact|date=October 2008. Those who can remember the evening have described it as "fucking fun"Fact|date=October 2008.

Discography

References

External links

* [http://www.myspace.com/projectmayhemperth Official myspace]
* [http://www.78records.com.au Retail outlet selling Project Mayhem CDs online]