AUCKLAND TRASHED, CHRISTCHURCH TRADED

- Hotel Wrecking City Traders attack overseas - by Greg Barnes

For those who have already picked up a copy of the ‘hands on’ issue of Rebel Yell, the name ‘Hotel Wrecking City Traders’ will ring a few bells. After organising a backyard show at ‘the anchor’ and getting to know band members Ben and Toby Wrecker a little better late last year, I arranged a brief follow up Q and A regarding their recent tour itinerary and recording projects. These dudes are ridiculously down to earth and modest yet they’ll shred your mind with an epic bombardment of riffs, beats and melodies.

Q: Since the last time we spoke there have been some exciting developments in the bands touring itinerary. Where have you been playing recently?

A: We recently had about a month and a half off from playing shows, which was our longest break since we got the band together a few years ago now. Was nice just to have a little time off....it made us realise just how hungry we were to be playing gigs. It gave us a really good chance to sit down together and try and map out a few possible places we could explore that we hadn’t played in the past. Ben and I both live life with a very similar outlook, the band comes first. The day job is there as a means of taking this band to as many interesting places as we possibly can. I mean what can possibly beat seeing corners of the world you have never seen before whilst doing the thing that brings the most pleasure in life.

Whilst we are planning all of this though it’s still a big priority for the band to cover more ground on home soil. Just in the last couple of days we have booked a couple more shows in NSW with the mighty Nunchukka Superfly as well as some shows in Tasmania with our good mates Matt Sonic & The High Times, who Ben has done some drumming for at a few live shows.

We also spent a weekend a couple of weeks ago in New Zealand, playing one show in Auckland and another in Christchurch which was really good fun!!! We met some really nice people, saw some great places and played with a bunch of cool bands. Both of us would love to go back there to cover more of the country. Chur Bro's!!!

Before the year is over we would love to get ourselves to Brisbane, Perth, Canberra and so on. We have had a few contacts from places and it would be really nice to spend a few weekends elsewhere doing what we do and having a really good time doing it. So if anyone feels like getting in touch about shows......feel free to do so!!! It’s what we love.

Q: What other plans do you have for venturing overseas in the future?

A:  Depends how far in the future we are talking...hahahaha! We would both love to play as many places as possible. There has been a lot of talk about Europe and I really hope we get a chance to do that, it’s a beautiful part of the world and there are some really great bands over there that we would kill to play with. Going to Japan is also pretty high on the agenda, we have had plenty of mate’s bands head over that way and have nothing but praise for the place, people, bands, food. So we are both pretty sold on that one.

HWCT also have a new record in the pipeline.......I don’t want to give too much away but there are a couple of friends who are going to be playing on this release who live over in the USA. As all the people involved cant be in the same place at the same time at the time of recording, it would be an incredible experience to all get together and play some shows over in there part of the world and any other for that matter. More details of the recording will be made available soon. Ill just say that Ben and myself are extremely pumped about this one!!!!!!!

Q: Have you ever been to Europe before?

A: Both of us have been there before but not to play shows as HWCT. We have spent endless amounts of time in venues watching incredible bands at all levels, but to get out there ourselves and be able to be on the flipside of the coin is a real dream for both of us. I am 100% sure that it is going to happen it’s just a matter of time and finance. When these two things present themselves I have no doubt in my mind that we will make it over there.

Q: Any plans to link up with bands while you’re in Europe?

A: Absolutely!!! As I said before there are some amazing bands in Europe that we would love to play with. We did a couple of shows in Melbourne with Monarch (France) who we both thought were an incredible live band!!!! We still remain in touch with these guys and talk to them about shows that will happen when we finally get over there. The Winnebago Deal (UK) guys are keen to do some more shows with us on their home turf. Other names we have in mind are Gonga (UK) and Electric Eel Shock (JAP). It will all really depend on the time we go and who will be available.

As far as HWCT go there is going to be a lot of activity over the coming months and in the New Year. Keep checking www.myspace.com/hotelwreckingcitytraders for updates. Hope we see you all at shows to come!!!!!!!

Thanks Rebel Yell!!!!!

HWCT