Misled by Lies
Misled By Lies were a five piece hardcore/metal band formed in April 1999 under the original moniker of Selfportrait. After falling out with their previous hardcore punk band Vendetta, the brothers Jae and Adam Lurman decided to persue a heavier more metal based project. At their peak they were one of the most promising hardcore/metal bands in New Zealand, attracting international label interest and signing first to USA's 105 Records, then to Austria's Burning Season Records.
Two albums were recorded but never released by the band. The first, The Parallels of Love and Hatred, which drew heavily from the downtuned offerings of Sepultura and Disembodied, was recorded in 2000. It was scheduled for release on start-up label 105 Records, but days before it was due to be pressed the band had a sudden change of heart, canceled the pressing and cut all ties with the label. The band stated that 105 Records had continually stalled the album's release, during which time they had already begun working on exciting new material that they claimed rendered all previous works obsolete. However, a number of tracks from The Parallels of Love and Hatred were leaked over the internet. The second self-recorded MBL album Silence / Acceptance, signed in advance to Austrian label Burning Season Records, suffered from numerous lineup changes during the recording process and was never entirely completed. Misled By Lies parted ways in August 2002, issuing the statement "Alot of bands part due to "creative differences", however, Misled was a combination of just about every problem a band could face".
Original Jamie Saint Merat remained with previous band Bloodwreath, who soon transformed into the Auckland-based grindcore/metal band Ulcerate. He has also become a member of 8 Foot Sativa, along with several others, and is a well known figure in the N
Drummer Jamie Saint Merat remained with previous band Bloodwreath, who soon transformed into the Auckland-based grindcore/metal band Ulcerate. He has also become a member of 8 Foot Sativa, along with several others, and is a well known figure in the New Zealand metal scene.
Vocalist Phil Smathers played bass, briefly, with Bloodwreath, but was sacked. Subsequent activities unknown.
Guitarist Mat Wadsworth went on to Promise of Bloodshed (he was replaced for a short time before the band split by Steven Hunt). There is a song by Evil Priest about him; Free Mat Wadsworth.
Brothers Adam and Jae Lurman (both previously of Vendetta) are not reported to have gone on to other bands.
Contents
Members
Original lineup:
- Adam Lurman, guitar
previous/other projects: Vendetta
- Jae Lurman, bass
previous/other projects: Vendetta
- Mark Seeny, drums (Demo 99)
- Phil Smathers, vocals
previous/other projects: Bloodwreath
- Mat Wadsworth, lead guitar (after The Parallels of Love and Hatred)
previous/other projects: Promise of Bloodshed, Evil Priest
Later:
- Jamie Saint Merat, drums (Parallels of Love and Hatred, Silence / Acceptance)
previous/other projects: Bloodwreath, rock.paper.meatcleaver, Hate Theorem, Misadventures In Self Surgery, 8 Foot Sativa, Ulcerate
Jamie replaced original drummer Mark shortly after the recording of the demo. Mark left to form Daredevil with ex-members of Shinkasta and Arkane.
- Steven Hunt, lead guitar
Hunt replaced Mat Wadsworth briefly before the band's split in 2002, appearing once with the band at their final show on March 15 2002 at the Valve in Wellington.
Releases
- Demo 99 CDR/cassette EP, 1999
- I See Dead People compilation on Red Scroll Records features Misled By Lies' track Blank
- various out-takes from both unreleased albums The Parallels of Love and Hatred (2000), Silence / Acceptance (2002), and earlier demos circulated in mp3 format. Some are also officially available from the Misled By Lies website.
Trivia
- The Demo 99 was written and recorded after just 4 band rehearsals.
- Bizzarely, Misled By Lies were invited to play on the Non-Toxic stage at the Parachute music festival in 2000. The band made it very clear to the organisers that they no member of the band was religious, but were still urged to appear. The band did so, even performing the highly anti-religious song Nonexistent from Demo 99. The crowd very much enjoyed the performance without realising the potentially insulting content of the screamed lyrics, much to the amusement of the band.
- During their time with Vendetta, the brothers Jae and Adam Lurman were responsible for writing the music to the (now legendary) local hardcore anthem Hamtown Smakdown. In response to the brothers' ousting from Vendetta, Misled By Lies performed the opening segments of Hamtown Smakdown at a performance at the Meteor in Hamilton, instead changing the main lyrics to random profanities.
