Antagonist
Members have been involved with furthering the NZ hardcore scene over the last 5 years. Started promotions company ‘Anchor’, which over the years has done radio shows, found & run venues, spent hours covering the streets with posters and still continues to book tours for local and international bands.
Formed in Hamilton in 2005 by vocalist Sam Crocker and bassist Joshua Moffitt, the original line up also contained drummer Brendan and guitarist Sean. The band quickly recorded a well received 4 song demo (some releases of the demo contained an extra song, 'Some Glory', recorded after the main pressing) with Ulcerate’s Jamie Saint Merat.
The end of 2005 saw the band lose Sean, and gain current guitarists Kris ‘Boozey’ Bosman and Ross Mcdougall.
Brendan left at the start of 2006, and was replaced by current drummer Israel McDean.
McDean was in the band 2 weeks before Antagonist recorded their debut album These Cities, Our Graves which was released on 1157 records (previously a home to NZ hardcore greats such as DSM, Balance and The Bleeders).
The album was later re-released in Australia in 2008, by Melbourne label Trial & Error Records.
The band ventured to Australia for the first time in 2006, playing in Victoria and South Australia with well-known local bands Stronghold and Her Nightmare - a relatively new band ‘The Red Shore’ also played 3 of the shows. Antagonist also took on some Queensland dates with US band Most Precious Blood.
Since that first initial trip the band have crossed the Tasman countless times, gaining a solid reputation throughout Australia. The most notable of those tours was with Parkway Drive, Have Heart (USA) and Break Even in mid 2008.
In 2008, the band added the suffix 'A.D.' to avoid confusion with an American band using the name Antagonist already.
From its inception, the band have shared the stage with countless high profile overseas acts (Madball, Darkest Hour, Unearth, Bleeding Through, Comeback Kid to name but a few) and had the privilege of sharing the Main Stage at Aucklands Big Day Out ‘08 with Rage Against The Machine.
The Band released a new album, We Are The Dead in October 2008, throughout Australia (T&E records) & NZ (1157 Records).
2009 Has continued Antagonist A.D. relentless touring ethic;
Antagonist A.D. hit Australia in January/February with The Red Shore and As Blood Runs Black (USA).
In March/April they successfully played through 5 countries in South East Asia (Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia & Indonesia), ending with a headline tour of Japan.
June saw Antagonist A.D. return to Australia in support of none other than American hardcore icons EARTH CRISIS & Australia's original heavyweights DAY OF CONTEMPT who reunited for the tour.
The band intend to write new material in what's left of 2009, pursuing a worldwide release & tour in 2010.
Members
Current: Sam - vocals xCaptainx - guitar Boozey - guitar Izrael - drums Josh - bass
Discography
| Date of Release | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | These Cities, Our Graves | Elevenfiftyseven Records |
| 2007 | Distance EP | Elevenfiftyseven Records |
| 2008 | We Are the Dead | Trial & Error Records |
