The city of Antwerp, Belgium may be primarily known for it’s harbour, cathedral and diamond trade, but anyone who scratches beneath the surface can find a thriving and vibrant underground scene. Especially in the last few years the great output of hardcore and garage punk bands makes one suspect that, besides massive PFOS pollution and record breaking cocaine residuelevels, there must be something in the water. Mitraille burst unto this scene in 2018 with a sound that takes the bursting-at-the-seams energy of modern day basement hardcore and injects it into a strain of diseased garage- and post punk. Think Sleaford Mods if they released 7 inches on Total Punk, Ty Segall Band’s Slaughterhouse if it was recorded at 4 AM in a beer-drenched living room or Uranium Club if they were Motörhead roadies with anger management issues. Mitraille have since released three EP’s before recruiting Rafael Valles Hilario (Tuff Guac, Brorlab, MOAR) behind the drums and recording their debut full-length ‘Mitraille’. The album was released May 25th on Ronny Rex and Belly Button Records and followed up by a nine day tour of Germany and Switzerland, and spots on the mainstage of the legendary Sjock Festival and the Street Stage of Rock Herk. As ever, Mitraille are ready to blast their way through as many European stages as possible. So crank that album, get one of those three idiots on the phone and get ready for a wild fucking ride.
The Cave Riot, founded in 2016, from the south of Hamburg is a four-piece band that ranges somewhere between indie rock and Britpop. With their driving guitars and danceable beats they get the audience moving. Their influences can be found in 60s Garage Rock bands, 80s Wave bands or newer bands like The Black Keys.The Cave Riot write English lyrics about everyday observations and little stories from life. Through their unique blend of melodic hooks and a rocking energy, they manage to inspire their listeners and provide a good time.The 4 describe themselves as an „uncomplicated band that only writes potential hits“ and are eager to tour the clubs again after the difficult last 3 years.The big goal, according to themselves, is a tour of Belgium and Japan. When asked why there, they just say: „They will love us there“.
