DAMN THE EMPIRE are:
Bram - Vocals | Damo - Bass / Vocals | Tommy - Guitar / Vocals | Rory - Drums

RELEASES:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:
myspace.com

MEDIA:
High Res CD Cover Art | High Res Band Logo

REVIEWS:
Coffeemug Zine #9 [Philippines]
DAMN THE EMPIRE - With Tends Like These...
Riot! Reset! Riot! Riot! Reset! Riot! I love that song! Of course, the whole album is well equiped with fast paced punk rock. 16 melodic sing-along punk rock of approximately 20 minutes. Featuring the members of Bad Day Down, The Omen and the demise Yidcore. Their music and lyrics really makes sense and contemporary. Their lyrics deal with socio-political especially their song "This Free Music Download Brought To You Courtesy Of Metallica's Lars Ulrich" and "Blackwatership Down". For the fans of Kid Dynamite, Shook One's and Bad Day Down. Another talented and enthusiastic band from my favorite label down south, Pee Records. I'm looking forward to another impressive release. A must CD for punk rock lovers.

Suspect Device Zine [UK]
DAMN THE EMPIRE - With Tends Like These...
Fast, melodic punk rock from Australia that will appeal to anyone who’s into bands like Good Riddance. Other reference points I can hear would include Propagandhi, particularly the earlier stuff, and even The Steal. There are lots of sing along bits, and plenty of references to songs and records you will know, as well as some good lyrics of their own. I am partial to a bit of melodic punk rock, and all in all this is a pretty decent release.
Review by: Tony

Metior
DAMN THE EMPIRE - With Tends Like These...
There’s something to be said for a good band name. It should be original and memorable, but also encapsulate the genre, style and lyrical content of a band. And Damn the Empire is one such name which, on its own, says all you need to know about them. But that wouldn’t make for much of a review, so here’s what I can tell you.
Coming in at a blazing 16 tracks in just 20 minutes, with nary two-minute plus tune among them, With Trends Like These manage to play straight-forward fast political punk rock with a large dose of satire that ranks right up there with other albums in the genre. Whilst there is a “no gimmicks” and “no frills” side to the musical element of the band, there is a precision and tightness to the playing style that shows that this four-piece from Melbourne know their way around their instruments and play with passion.
Lyrically there’s many a socio-political statement to be made with “Riot. Reset. Riot”, “We Are Your Government”, “We Don’t Make The Rules” and others bringing an anarchist-soaked message without preaching (it’s kind of hard to in less than two minutes). The sense of humour shines through on the track “This Free Music Download Brought To You Courtesy Of Metallica’s Lars Ulrich”, which takes pot-shots at Ulrich’s campaign to shut down file-sharing site Napster.
Overall this is a quality album for its message, music and passion.
Review by: Nathan Verney

Peacedogman [USA]
DAMN THE EMPIRE - With Tends Like These...
Supremely quick and anthemic as hell with backing gang vox out the backside; these Aussies from Melbourne, Vic show us the way to salvation with a sound born firmly out of the ancient MINOR THREAT, 7 SECONDS and NAKED RAYGUN style of hardcore gone astray. DAMN THE EMPIRE have pushed their way into the modern pop punk assemblage that more current peer groups such as KID DYNAMITE and GOOD RIDDANCE have been championing for years. Melodic, gruff and vast, these sing-a long ragers plod the same course without veering too far off into anything new, which shouldn't be looked down upon if you dig this type of stuff. Personally it's not my thing but I can support and appreciate this without going overboard and saying it's my favorite band in the world. One thing atypical here is the humorous song title "This Free Music Download Brought to You Courtesy of Metallica's Lars Ulrich" with its refrain 'Hey mister music millionaire/Didn't no one ever teach you how to share?'. Pretty cool introspective and pissed lyrics throughout this release which is nice. So, DAMN THE EMPIRE have carved out a piece of their very own niche and follow the sentiments previously laid down by their predecessors impressively, just not something this writer would be blasting at a drunken sex and death orgy.
Rating: 3/5
Review by: Mike IX

BlackMunk
DAMN THE EMPIRE - With Tends Like These...
Damn The Empire construct true old school punk rock music. Featuring members of Yidcore(R.I.P.), Bad Day Down and The Omen. They have recently released their debut album titled ‘With Trends Like These…’, out on Pee Records.
Vocalist Bram Presser enjoyed success with old band Yidcore and is back with Tommy Williams (Bad Day Down), Rory Kelaart (Yidcore, The Omen), and Damon Hughes. They form one of Australia’s best old school punk rock influenced bands. Proof of that is ‘With Trends Like These…’.
Songs about the bigger picture, songs that actually sing about what matters, songs for the small guy. ‘With Trends Like These…’ is packed full of just that. ‘High Street Squatters Inc.’ should be played every Friday at every work place, although that could cause a revolution. Damn The Empire show they are not going to shy away from any person or issue. Example of that would be ‘This Free Music Download Brought To You Courtesy Of Metallica’s Lars Ulrich’. Which clearly is about how selfish and close-minded Lars is/was when it came to downloading. ‘Thus Spake The Prius Elitest’ will stay in your head no matter what you attempt to do to try and shake it out. Damn The Empire have created a debut album that the great Black Flag would be proud of.
Damn The Empire are the band that fans of punk music will find irresistible. ‘With Trends Like These…’ is a very mature old school punk rock influenced album that can be put on the shelf next to this genres greats. It’s bands like this that should be on festivals such as Soundwave in Australia. A band that will make every punk rock fan proud to be an Australian.
Recommended Song ‘Thus Spake The Prius Elitest’
Rating: 9/10

Subba Cultcha [UK]
DAMN THE EMPIRE - With Tends Like These...
These angry Aussie punks fall into the realm of melodic hardcore, but there’s precious little of the former and plenty enough of the latter to spare. With 16 tracks ploughed down in 20 minutes, comparisons to the likes of Locust and Gay For Johnny Depp are inevitable, but the blend of political lyrics with tongue-in-cheek faux anger is individual enough for them to stand on their own two feet. While ‘Blackwatership Down’ is a tirade against the Iraq war (and while it’s a point well made, aren’t we all a little bored by it now?) and very po-faced, the antithesis of ‘This Free Music Download Is Brought To You Courtesy Of Metallica’s Lars Ulrich’ which, as the title suggests, is a light hearted jab at the ongoing file sharing argument. Both are classic examples of both the good and bad sides of this album, each is a good, old-fashioned punk song in it’s own right, but equally they’re both talking about subject matter that’s hardly on the cutting edge, which makes this album feel, ultimately, rather redundant.
Rating: 6/10

Evilneedles.com [USA]
DAMN THE EMPIRE - With Tends Like These...
Heart and humor can really make an album stand out. I'm totally sick of the generic metalcore rat race. I remember a time when bands like Suicidal Tendencies and Black Flag could be hardcore, angry about how bad things suck and still have fun. I miss those days. Damn the Empire's With Trends Like These.... has the heart and sense of humor needed to propel this disc straight into my iPod. There is no tough guy posturing on this 16 song fun box. You'll want to hold onto your hat when you hit the play button because these songs are fast. Clocking in at around 20 minutes, it's an easy disc to blow through. It leaves you energized with messy hair as it's a serious head shakers. Way to go guys!!

AsIce E-zine [Netherlands]
DAMN THE EMPIRE - With Tends Like These...
Damn The Empire from Melbourne, Australia takes its cues from Good Riddance's more hardcore-oriented material, Kid Dynamite and Paint It Black and that should tell you what to expect here: fast, tight and passionate hardcore/punk with a raw melodic edge.
On their debut album this foursome rages through sixteen furious songs in just twenty minutes without slowing down for a single moment. And yet, 'With Trends Like These...' never loses its sense of humor. Lead vocalist Bram Presser tackles all sorts of social, political and scene-related issues with a healthy dose of sarcasm in cleverly titled songs such as 'Blackwatership Down', 'High Street Squatters, Inc.' and 'This Free Music Download Brought To You Courtesy Of Metallica's Lars Ulrich'.
Damn The Empire may not have invented the wheel, but they sure know how to take it for a blistering ride.
Rating: 4/5

ISSUE zine #46 [UK]
DAMN THE EMPIRE - With Tends Like These...
Judging by the biog, the guys in this band have had a pretty colourful (recent) past with brushes with the authorities, which puts them in an excellent position to vent their spleen punk rock style. The [latest] of the Pee batch and still flying the flag for awesome, fast furious hardcore punk. Does OZ produce any other bands besides cool hardcore ones? They crank out 16 songs in barely 19 minutes, so no time to tire of one song before another comes along and hits you between the eyes. I have no hesitation in commending this one to you too.

PEE #45
DAMN THE EMPIRE - With Tends Like These...
The debut effort from Melbourne punk outfit Damn The Empire is over before you know it. 16 tracks in 20 minutes and I’ve had it on repeat for ages! It will sound familiar to some as Damn The Empire features Tommy from Bad Day Down (and some guys from Yidcore I think) and I couldn’t help but notice the similarities on “With Trends Like These…”. If you haven’t heard Damn The Empire, imagine Bad Day Down after three dozen coffees, with a bit of Kid Dynamite and Bones Brigade thrown in for good measure. The lyrics are intelligent and aggressive, the songs are fast and there are plenty of gang vocals and catchy choruses throughout. Opening song “Riot! Reset! Riot!” is an immediate highlight, as is “We Are Your Government”, “Less Chuck, More Ronald” and “Blackwatership Down”, where I couldn’t help but shout along ‘live for the dollar, kill for the dollar’. If you like punk rock with a message that’s played bloody fast, check this out. I guarantee you’ll have it on repeat too.
Rating: 86
Review By: No Show

NewsHit
DAMN THE EMPIRE - With Tends Like These...
Let’s face it, hardcore punk is a style that has never exactly been mainstream, even during its 1980’s heyday. Sure, plenty of bands say that they love Gorilla Biscuits and Minor Threat, but few actually utilise the gritty power and lyrical honesty that made these bands famous. That is probably why I was so surprised when I slipped With Trends Like These... into my CD player. Damn The Empire hearken back to the glory days of hardcore, and their debut album (released by the geniuses at Pee Records) would truly not seem out of place if bookended in one’s music collection by other notable classics like Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables or Millions Of Dead Cops.
From the opening song Riot! Reset! Riot! to the bizarre closer Attaining the Unintelligible, Damn The Empire combine light speed beats with a visceral fury that few contemporary bands can match. It is also unsurprising that this release is both tight and inventive musically considering the pedigree of its members (who have featured in other Australian bands like Yidcore and Bad Day Down). These factors, combined with a mastering job from the infamous Jason Livermore at the Fort Collins Blasting Room, mean that this band not only rocks, but that we can finally hear a hardcore band that doesn’t sound like it recorded an album for $50 in someone’s shed (let’s be honest, we’ve all been there).
Lyrically Damn The Empire are just as biting in their political and social commentary as any of their musical forefathers, although their sights are spread a little wider than just Ronald Reagan. The song titles featured on With Trends Like These... also manage to live up the standard set by 80’s hardcore bands, including such witty titles as “Blackwatership Down”, “Thus Spake The Prius Elitist”, and of course the classic, “This Free Music Download Brought To You Courtesy Of Metallica’s Lars Ulrich”. The fact that they manage to rip through 16 songs in about 20 minutes is also a highly impressive feat in this age of “progressive rock” masturbatory.
While it is true that bands like Western Addiction and New Mexican Disaster Squad have in recent years managed to replicate the brooding and at times paranoid feel of Black Flag, I must admit that until I heard With Trends Like These... I thought that bands like The F.U.’s and Bad Brains had been all but forgotten. I am glad to see that I was so spectacularly wrong, as Damn The Empire do not simply ape a dead style of music, but rather re-interpret and re-invigorate the genre for a whole new generation. Let’s just hope they have plenty more releases to come.
Review by: Matthew Woodward

BLUNT Issue #86
DAMN THE EMPIRE - With Tends Like These...
The members of Melbourne four-piece Damn The Empire have previously clocked up an impressive amount of band time in outfits like Bad Day Down and Yidcore, so it's no surprise that their debut album is rock solid. With Trends Like These... boasts 16 tracks that waste no time getting their point across (the album's over within 20 minutes). Drawing on old school hardcore (that's the '80s stuff, kids) and '70s punk, the tracks are both catchy and aggressive, with an even balance between serious and tongue-in-cheek lyrics. It's honest, no-frills punk in a style that gets played too rarely these days, and it's been released on a great local label, Pee (which also produces the excellent Pee Zine). This is the singalong punk album of the summer.
Rating: 8/10
Review by: Dan Stapleton

upstarter! [USA]
DAMN THE EMPIRE - With Tends Like These...
This CD works straight out the gate! Damn The Empire is pissed. The world is going to hell. The government is fucked. The music industry is right down the toilet. The scene sucks. Prius owners are self-righteous pricks. “With Trends Like These…” doesn’t hold back on the anti-everything vitriol. I find it refreshing. This disc has something that a lot of punk rock has been lacking as of late, conviction. Damn The Empire means it without being smug or overly attitudinal. The band is fuming about meaningful timely issues, almost as if they were culturally aware with what is going on in America. … Here’s the thing though, they’re from Melbourne. It really serves to hammer home the homogeneity of the problems of the world (at least the Western World) Despite the gravity of the content, the band, thankfully, isn’t humorless. Tracks like 3. The Last Gasp Of An Entire Scene, Neutered and 12. This Free Music Download Brought To You Courtesy of Metallica’s Lars Ulrich let in some welcome cynical comedy. So here’s what you get 16 tracks of punk rock that is about as real as anything out there. I detect a lot of H2O and Down by Law as I’m listening to it. Of note, this disc was mixed at The Blasting Room. There is something magical about that place I tell ya. Cheers to Damn The Empire for a damn fine disc from Down Under and for uniting the world one punk rock song at a time.
Rating: 4/5
Review by: Jerry Actually

ThePunkSite.com [USA]
DAMN THE EMPIRE - With Tends Like These...
Australia's Damn The Empire formed with the intention of creating angry, gimmick-free, tongue-in-cheek punk rock and with their debut album, With Trends Like These..., it is plainly evident that the band successfully completed what they set out to do.
The album blasts through sixteen tracks in just over twenty minutes, and in those twenty minutes the band delivers more than most bands nowadays do in twice the time period. It's a blistering onslaught of melodic hardcore that tips their head to Strike Anywhere, Pennywise and Ignite all the while creating their own unique sound and style. The minute-long songs are built with a thunderous and hollow drum backbone, heavy guitar riffs and vocals that mix eighties hardcore screams with more welcoming gang vocals to create songs that call the listener to action, making them sing along in unison while pumping their fist in the air.
In a way they remind me of One Win Choice, another relatively obscure band fighting the good fight and bringing the hardcore back into melodic hardcore. They're a band doing what they want in a way that will surely incite some notice and attention from fans all over the globe. The songs are short bursts of anger being released through pointed lyrics of sociopolitical insight. Blackwatership Down, which features the best sing-along chant in the album,attacks Blackwater Worldwide's involvement in the Iraq war (Why would anybody want to die for their country?/There's a profit to be made from death / protecting someone else's greed./ All hail the Department of Capital Defense/the only place a dead man's dollar/still makes any sense). The songs on With Trend Like These.... are little reminders of what lyrics can be about, seeking out change and pointing out the problems with society, a rebellious act that once served as punk's back bone.
Damn The Empire isn't all angst and fury at the world and government and do occasionally look inwardly upon the descent of the music scene. Take The Last Gaps of An Entire Scene Neutered which sees them screaming "We're Angry (So What), We're Spiteful (Let's Fight), We still write protest songs for old time's sake, so get in the pit and wait for the breakdown. Scenes now are just meaningless escapes" or This Free Music Download Brought To You Courtesy of Metallica's Lars Ulrich who's topic can be guessed by the title and you'll see that the band isn't only thinking of things on a large scale.
With Trends Like These... is a straight up old school punk rock album and one that will get the blood flowing and energy rising in any fan of hardcore.
Rating: 3.5/5
Review by: Bobby Gorman

World's Appreciated Kitsch [Greece]
DAMN THE EMPIRE - With Tends Like These...
With only a year of existence, Damn The Empire managed to pack 16 songs in a 20-minute long CD and put it out to the world via our favorite Australian record label, Pee.
Featuring ex-members of other Melbourne based bands like Bad Day Down, Rags to Rags and Yidcore, the 4-person combo play fast punk rock / melodic hardcore music like there's no tomorrow. So, if you like Paint It Black, Good Riddance and Kid Dynamite, check 'em out, I guess you'll dig them! 'with trends like these' was recorded in Australia, but the mastering took place in Colorado, USA, at The Blasting Room; a place that was built in 1994 by members of Descendents, ALL and Black Flag.
The lyrics are pretty socio-political, while the best song title ever is 'This free music download brought to you courtesy of metallica's lars ulrich', ha!
It seems that there's a huge punk rock scene in Australia, by the way, and that's way too crucial! Strength Approach from Italy are playing a bunch of shows there next week for example.
Anyway, Damn The Empire released a nice album and I'm looking forward to hearing from them again in the future.

Bombshell Zine
DAMN THE EMPIRE - With Tends Like These...
The only way to tackle a Monday is head on, no holes barred, so the logical choice when it came to picking out today's 'What's In The Box?' CD from the pile was to go for something hard 'n fast. That's exactly what Melbourne's Damn The Empire offer on their debut album which was released on Friday via Pee Records. Members of bands like Yidcore, Bad Day Down, The Omen and Dead Like Geneva combine and deliver 16 tracks of punk rock fury.
Sick of breakdown battle-offs, painful squeals / growls or whatever the term is this week for that cool band who you can't understand a lyric being delivered? Pissed off by that one time punk band suddenly swapping drums for a sampler and going all pop on your arse? Or being sent broke by your favourite band putting out more merch designs than songs? Need something no-frills, foot to the floor and not about to go all 360 on you? Then look no further. 16 songs, 20 minutes, no fucking about. The good old fashion punk rock spirit is alive and breathing in Damn The Empire. Lyrics that get straight to the point and a sound that isn't being done enough nowadays, which is probably not all that bad a thing because it makes this one much more enjoyable to listen to. To put it simply, if you dig a good energetic in your face brand of fist punching punk rock, this album is one for you.
Review by: Bomber