:: We Really Are Back ::
Yes the website is back on-line at www.ironon.live.com.au. Thanks be to Live.com.au. But we have had to move things around so, as you can see probably, things are missing and faulty. We're in the process of repairing the plumbing, but Ian's also going on tour soon so it could a few weeks before its all sorted. Hang tight.

:: We Are Back Online (Maybe) ::
Well, if you hadn't noticed we officially don't rate you. Our website has been down for a couple of weeks. As has many, many other fine bands...so be embarassed if you didn't know that 'Live.com.au' had 'server trouble'. More like, 'our server is fucked for life all your pages are gone forever' trouble in our books. But argh, she was a good host while it lasted. They are continuing to do URL redirections so hopefully our address won't change. Ian has done of all e-paper work but we haven't seen any action yet. Fingers crossed that soon, you web-procrastinator, may be able to access our webpage thru the usual route.

:: Confirmed Tour Dates ::
Most bands in Brisbane seem to be pretty modest about their southern touring exploits. Dollarbar in particular seem to slip away in the night without telling a soul. Fuck that, we tell everyone. We'd tell your mum if you gave us her name and phone number. The tour dates to the left be confirmed.

:: Inital NSW and VIC Tour Dates Up ::
Check the gig guide to the left for the dates we've confirmed thus far. There will be some more added real soon, so check back later if you feel left out. Attention: Any kids who do ezines, fanzines, websites, radio shows in those places, please get in touch. Yes. That's what 'promotion' equates to when you're signed to your own record label.

:: T-Shirts For The Rock People ::
Hey our shirts are finally done. We finished them off for the Livid show (which was totally cool) and now they are available for greater public consumption. Available in Small, Medium and Large in both Boy and Girl cut, these chocolate brown (fabric flavoured) items are 100% Australian made and 100% sweat shop/out-worker free. Email us at abandcalledironon@hotmail.com to tee up a purchase. Alternatively you can buy them at Rocking Horse online (and in person), Headspace Studios and at Skinnys. Of course, we'll be selling them at shows using our usual high-pressure, hard sell tactics: 'Uhmmm...we have shirts for sale'. The price varies because of postage. At shows the shirts are $25. We'll post some pictures of them soon. No really.

:: New EP In The Works ::
We're booked and ready to roll on the next EP. We're recording again with Bryce Moorhead at his Zero Interference Studio. That's all the stuff we've decided on. The rest is up in the air. I, Ian, predict that its going to be a bit harder. 'More screamo, less emo' is how we're going to shop it to the majors. Not.

:: Overseas Reviews ::
We packaged up some Understudy EPs and mailed out to the US. In return we reviewed this review from Punk Planet:

Decent female vocals over driving rock tunes. Iron On pack a bit more punch than your average "emo" band, so I'll take it. Also, their record company has an awesome address.

Succient huh? We also recieved this longer on from Splendid ezine:

I'm willing, on occasion, to sacrifice brilliance in return for sheer enjoyability. Unwound and Pavement are great -- incredible, even -- but when nothing more than a three minute blast of pop energy will hit the spot, Knapsack and Rainer Maria work just as well, ya know? I'll always swear by Slanted And Enchanted, but sometimes, frankly, I don't even want my music to rise to such a high standard; just let me enjoy a good song in spite of its flaws, gimmicks and crutches!

And so it is with Iron On. This three guy, one girl (bung! - Ian) Aussie quartet doesn't work timeless magic or transcend the basic tenets of their sound. In fact, The Understudy goes through bouts of being too typically emo, and nary a chorus is worthy of a John Lennon reference. You might say it's an album eight years past its time, better suited to an era when the band might have supported it by touring with Christie Front Drive and doing a split 7" with Boys Life. And yet...the songs are extremely solid for what they are -- solid beyond much reasonable reproach from those who enjoy their general sound. The male/female harmonies never skip a beat, nor do they degenerate into the whines of heart-broken musical simpletons, and the guitar lines are intelligent and detailed when they need to be, although they invoke more date and location references than is desirable. "Everything Takes Too Long" might even be deserving of a spot on your next mix tape. It's brimming with the energy of pre-Vagrant Get Up Kids, and draws itself to a racing, ultimately satisfying conclusion -- the sort that leaves no doubt in your mind that the band knew precisely where they were headed from the song's first few notes.

While a considerable number of independent rock bands are trying to draw a little attention to themselves by sounding more like a Crank! band circa 1995 than today's typical MTV2 emo fare, most of them are coasting on the supposed "authenticity" of their sound rather than the merit of their songs. This is not the case with Iron On -- so maybe, in a sense, they do go beyond appealing to fans of Band X or Record Label Y. It's hard to imagine them ever becoming a canonical act, but for those times when all you're seeking is a dose of escapist jangly guitar rock, The Understudy will more than suffice.

-- Phillip Buchan

:: Live To Air ::
Our live-to-air session was broadcast last weekend on the 25th of November. We forgot to post up here about it. Sorry. We didn't really like it that much, so we're kinda glad we forgot to tell everyone. We didn't play so hot and it showed we thinks. We're getting a hi-quality copy of it soon and might post up the best bits for download when we get over ourselves.

(posted by Iron On) 5:44 PM