Bio

Emerging from the volcanic ranges of West Auckland, Calum Salmond (Guitar, Vocals), Daniel Barrett (Synthesizer, Vocals) and Liam Mertens (Drums, Samples) create a three headed leviathan of sound. A misunderstood creature hiding behind a wall of intensity, armed with a “hard and heavy electronic-rock arsenal of sonic reducers” (Debate Magazine). Take a dive into the tangled caustic crunch and you’ll reveal intricately woven instrumentation, persuasive dance rhythms, dueling vocal hooks and emotive soundscapes.

Conceived mid 2007, the trio completed their first North Island tour playing Auckland, Whanganui, New Plymouth and Palmerston North before the year was out and continued to perform indiscriminately at bars, house parties, highschools, university campuses, main-roads, car-parks, art-galleries, warehouses and movie sets. Their relentless gigging resulted in a smashed guitar, torn drum skins, two destroyed mic stands, chipped teeth, dozens of bloodied fingers and more importantly, the shaping one of the most engaging live acts in Auckland. Distinguished events include the Zeal West grand opening, Titirangi Festival of Music (08, 09 & 10), Cuba Street Carnival 09, Teenage Kicks 1st Birthday, charity gigs for Project Twin Stream and Amnesty International, a DJ slot with Teenage Kicks at Rhythm n' Vines 2010 plus interviews with Juice TV, Alt. TV, Love Music, Under The Radar, NZ Musician and 1am Magazine.

In October 2010 Strange Beast released their independently funded and self produced debut titled, "Mise-en-Scène EP" recorded by Jason Huss at Roundhead Studios and mastered in L.A. by Dave Cooley of Elysian Masters. "Mise-en-Scène EP" has been described as "A mixture of guitar flourishes with really fat, heavy synth stabs. Indie, electronic and rock n’roll – very contemporary but redolent of the popular sound that’s firmly in the now." (NZ Musician Magazine)

Band Members:
Calum Salmond (guitar, vocals)
Daniel Barrett (synths, vocals)
Liam Mertens (drums, samples)

Links

• Artist Website
• Facebook Page