(Artist Report)

Written by: Cody Denning

Today we are here to talk about a band that embodies the raw, unfiltered spirit of rock and roll, Violent Soho. An Australian alternative rock band formed in 2004, born from the unshakeable bond of four childhood friends.

From their humble beginnings in Mansfield, Brisbane, these guys were just kids. Kids who took inspiration from the punk rock classic "Ruby Soho" by Rancid, which led to the name Violent Soho. Their debut EP, Pigs and T.V. , released in 2006, was crafted by lead vocalist Luke Boerdam when he was just 14. Fourteen! Produced by Bryce Moorhead, a legend in his own right, this EP would lay the foundation for what would become more than two decades of relentless, unyielding rock music.

Fast forward to 2009, and Violent Soho signs with Ecstatic Peace! Records, headed by none other than Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth. A monumental move that saw the band tour Australia and even the United States. They were living the dream—or so it seemed. But unlike many bands who bask in the limelight, Violent Soho kept their noses to the grindstone. They worked with producer Gil Norton in Wales, hammering out their self-titled second album, a blend of raw energy and refined artistry. They even shared a cramped apartment in the "poorer parts of Brooklyn," playing five to six nights a week. This, my friends, is the kind of dedication that defines a true rock band.

But the road wasn’t always paved with gold. By 2011, after a grueling tour schedule and a lukewarm reception in the U.S., they found themselves back in Australia, without a label and without much support. And yet, in the face of adversity, they didn’t falter. Instead, they doubled down, signing with Melbourne’s I OH YOU label and releasing new singles that only bolstered their reputation. Their attitude? “We do it our way or we don’t do it at all.” It was this spirit that produced Hungry Ghost, their 2013 album that broke the mold and put them back on the map.

And let’s not forget the acclaim. Their song "Covered in Chrome" was voted into the Triple J Hottest 100, not once, but twice, 14th in 2013 and 4th in the 2010s. They hit gold status with Hungry Ghost and played to sold-out crowds across Australia. Yet, even with all the success, Violent Soho remained true to their roots, never shying away from their gritty, DIY ethos.

But then, after nearly 20 years of rocking stages and defying expectations, Violent Soho announced an indefinite hiatus in 2022. A move that shocked many but, in reality, was just another chapter in their unorthodox story. They’ve lived the dream, faced the nightmares, and come out the other side with their integrity intact. As they put it, “This isn't the end of the band, but we are looking forward to giving ourselves some space, focusing on our families, and giving back to the community which fostered and carried us.”

2023, Violent Soho Released the ten year anniversary edition of their album Hungry Ghost, digging in to the archives of the past. The band continues to stay connected to fans through social media, we have reached out to the band for comment and update and will bring you what we find.

Violent Soho, a band that dared to live on their terms, that pushed back against the mainstream, and that, quite frankly, reminded us what rock and roll is really about. We can only hope this hiatus is just that, a pause, not a full stop. Because the world could always use a little more of that raw, undiluted rock spirit.

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