Raave Tapes gear up for EP launch

The bricks walls of two factories sandwiching the old miner’s cottage pulse with abstract projections – the lawn gets churned to mud by Doc Martens and battle-scarred sneakers.

In a half-pipe spanning the width of the yard, Sawyers Gully boy Joab Eastley stomps through a neural-network of guitar pedals like Godzilla through Tokyo.

A concussive wave of distortion drones over the cheering crowd.

“Cheers Newy, you bloody legends,” Eastley says, proudly raising a tin of Toohey’s New.

It wasn’t subtle product placement – Eastley’s band Raave Tapes is one of the central figures in a grungey movement of Hunter musicians embracing the region’s blue-collar icons and history.

“There’s definitely a sense of romanticism around the Hunter’s blue collar background,” Eastley said.

It’s not uncommon to see Raave Tapes take the stage in Newcastle Knights jerseys and socks, tinnies and longnecks left to vibrate on amplifiers. 

“All of our fathers worked in coal mines and I’m the first member of my family to go to university –  definitely the first to release an EP,” he said.

“While I may have ventured a little further than the sleepy little hamlet of Sawyers Gully, I can’t ignore my heritage, and my heritage is Tooheys New.”

Eastley formed the band while working at his local pizza joint with now bassist Joel Burgess.

“We bonded over our borderline sickening thirst for musical equipment; namely guitar pedals,” he said.

“We were both on these super nerdy Internet music gear forums, where we would buy and sell pedals from the USA as if it were the bloody stock market.”

It wasn’t long before they scrounged a drummer from Eastley’s Under 13’s Kurri Bulldogs roster – Jake Whyborn.

“I remember him scoring a sensational length of the field intercept try at The Graveyard one day,” he said.

“I think the reshuffle from under 13’s winger to the Raavies engine room was a solid career choice for ‘Wybs.

“Maybe that’s where Jake and I got our chemistry? All those grueling shuttle runs during freezing winter nights at footy training.

“Up the doggies.”

The band follows the distortion-rock path forged by the likes of Death From Above 1979 and DZ Deathrays.

But a love for what Eastley calls “squelchy electro”, including Justice and early Daft Punk, keeps their glitter-faced fans (affectionately called “Raave Babes”) stomping lawns into oblivion. 

“Both Joel and I lean heavily on our fuzz and octave pedals,” Eastley said.

“It’s meant to be experienced live. Squished up against your best friends, in a crowded, sweaty lounge room all covered in glitter with a tinny in your hand.” 

Raave Tapes have been playing as part of an immense clan of bands. Among them Voodoo Youth, PALS, Wavevom and Vacations.

Each one taking a different but affectionate, romanticised look at a post-industrial Hunter.

“It all started with the Grouse House parties in early 2015, which were underground DIY house parties that incorporated a slew of local acts and artists,” Eastley said.

“I met Kale, one of the Grouse House gentleman and a phenomenal rapper, at a Gooch Palms house show at The Fishbowl on Lamen Street previously that year.

“We bonded instantly over his vintage Knights jersey, we became friends on Snapchat and next thing you know we’re playing Grouse House 2 in a half pipe to 350 people in the back yard in Hamilton. 

“Cheers to the ’97 grand final team, amen,” he added. 

It’s a scene that’s grown so big and fanatic it’s almost self-sustaining. 

“There’s a wild gig on every single weekend in Newcastle at the moment, you’ve just got to know where to look,” Eastley said.

Raave Tapes are gearing up to drop their debut EP at the end of June.

It was recorded at RTN Studios in Mayfield with Newcastle’s Geoff Mullard.

It was mastered in Studios 301 by Steve Smart who has worked with DZ Deathrays, City Calm Down, DMA’s and Flume.

Eastley will play a stripped back live show at the Lass O’Gowrie on Thursday night. 

The full band will play the Lass on Sunday as part of the Party for Charlie fundraiser.