Speed (Australian band) explained

Speed
Landscape:Yes
Origin:Sydney, Australia
Years Active:2019–present
Current Members:
  • Jem Siow
  • Aaron Siow
  • Josh Clayton
  • Dennis Vichidvongsa
  • Kane Vardon

Speed are an Australian hardcore punk band from Sydney.[1] Formed in 2019, the band consists of lead vocalist Jem Siow, guitarists Aaron Joshua Clayton and Dennis Vichidvongsa, bassist Aaron Siow, and drummer Kane Vardon.

History

In the late 2000s, Jem Siow formed Your Ghost Is a Gift with vocalist Joel Martorana.[2] The band changed its name to Endless Heights in 2009, releasing two studio albums and five extended plays (EPs) before breaking up in 2019.[3] That same year, Siow recruited his brother Aaron Siow, Josh Clayton, Dennis Vichidvongsa, and Kane Vardon to form Speed.[4] In October 2019, Speed released a demo EP on Last Ride Records. The following April, the group was signed by Flatspot Records.[5] In June 2020, the band released the single "A Dumb Dog Gets Flogged", which Jem Siow said "was born in reaction to the failed leadership of our government during the 2019–2020 Australian bushfires. Empathy and compassion should always be the premise for meaningful action."[6] the two-track single 2020 Flex, Later that month, they released the two-song EP 2020 Flex, consisting of "A Dumb Dog Gets Flogged" and "Devil U Know".[7] In June 2021, the band released "We See U" as part of the hardcore punk compilation, This Is Australia Vol 2.[8] In May 2022, the band announced the release of Gang Called Speed as their official debut EP, alongside its lead single "Not That Nice" which addresses Asian hate crimes.[9] They said, "Even though this is our first EP, [we're] sort of approaching it almost like a debut album. That's why it's called Gang Called Speed – this is the identity of the band. This is what we're all about. This is Australian hardcore." Gang Called Speed was released on 24 June 2022 and debuted at number 5 on the ARIA Charts. "Not That Nice" appears in the wrestling video game WWE 2K24.[10]

In April 2024, Speed announced their debut studio album, Only One Mode, which was released on 12 July.[11]

Band members

Discography

Albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
DetailsPeak chart positions
AUS
[12]
Only One Mode 10

EPs

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
DetailsPeak chart positions
AUS
[13]
2020 Flex
Gang Called Speed
  • Released: 24 June 2022
  • Label: Last Ride Records (LRR41), Flatspot Records (FSR61)
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
5

Demo albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="1"
Details
Demo 19
  • Released: 9 October 2019
  • Label: Last Ride Records (LRR22)
  • Formats: Digital download, Cassette

Singles

Title! scope="col" rowspan="1"
YearAlbum
"A Dumb Dog Gets Flogged"20202020 Flex
"We See U"2021This Is Australia Vol 2 (compilation)
"Not That Nice"2022Gang Called Speed
"Move"[14]
"One Blood We Bleed"[15] The Extermination Vol. 4 (compilation)
"Real Life Love"[16] 2024Only One Mode
"The First Test"[17]
"Don't Need"[18]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: SPEED: This is Sydney Hardcore. Rolling Stone Australia. 16 May 2022. 4 June 2024.
  2. Web site: . Endless Heights on finding more than just 'Viscous Pleasure' . . 12 July 2024 . . live.
  3. Web site: Young . David James . Endless Heights' Joel Martorana returns as Colletto Bianco, shares debut single 'Choke' . . 12 July 2024 . 8 February 2022 . live.
  4. Web site: Hughes . Mia . How Speed Became Australia's Biggest, Fiercest Hardcore Band . . 12 July 2024 . 26 December 2023 . live.
  5. Web site: . Speed Unify Hardcore On An Global Level With 'Only One Mode' . . 12 July 2024 . 12 July 2024 . live.
  6. Web site: Vapour. DJ. NEWS: Speed drop "A Dumb Dog Gets Flogged". Metal Noise. 2 June 2020. 5 July 2022. live.
  7. Web site: Kamiński . Karol . Speed Comment on New Crushing Music on Flatspot Records, Anti-Racist Protests, COVID-19, Australian Hardcore and More! . Idioteq . 12 July 2024 . 22 June 2020 . live.
  8. Web site: Hohen. Mike. Sydney's SPEED share tough AF new track,"We See U". Blunt Magazine. 21 June 2021. 6 July 2022. live.
  9. Web site: Rose. Anna. Speed address Asian hate crimes on single "Not That Nice", announce new EP. NME. 19 May 2022. 5 July 2022. live.
  10. Web site: Langell. Amanda. WWE 2K24 Soundtrack: Full List of Artists and Tracks. Game Sided. Minute Media. 5 March 2024. 5 March 2024. live.
  11. Web site: Varvaris. Mary. SPEED Announce Long Awaited Debut Album Only One Mode . The Music. 25 April 2024. 26 April 2024. live.
  12. Web site: ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart. Australian Recording Industry Association. 22 July 2024. 19 July 2024.
  13. Web site: ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart. Australian Recording Industry Association. 4 July 2022. 6 July 2022. live.
  14. Web site: Vapour. DJ. NEWS: Speed unleash second single "Move" . Metal Noise. June 2022. 5 July 2022. live.
  15. Web site: Whines. Emma. Fousheé, Jack River, Adrian Dzvuke & More: This Week's Best New Music. The Music. 18 November 2022. 19 November 2022. live.
  16. Web site: Adams. Gregory. Hear Australian Hardcore Crew Speed's new Ripper Real Life Love . Revolver. 1 May 2024. 4 June 2024. live.
  17. Web site: Breihan. Tom. Speed "The First Test" . Stereogum. 30 May 2024. 4 June 2024. live.
  18. Web site: . Hear Speed's New Hardcore Bruiser "Don't Need" . . 12 July 2024 . 18 June 2024 . live.