Sadly,
the band released this statement in early April. A Best
Of album and DVD is due out late in the year though.
"Sometimes
things come to an end.
Sometimes
it happens quickly.
Sometimes
it happens over a long period of time.
Sometimes
when something ends, it's been a part of your life for so
long you didn't realise what it meant to you.
Sometimes
it ends during its prime.
In Warped's case it has been a long and
adventurous journey. For 13 years, Warped has been an evolving
rock and roll animal. For Benny and Cris, Warped has been
a life long commitment. Having started the band as 13 year
olds in Geelong and being considered veterans at the age
of 18, the original members, Benny and Cris have seen many
come and many go and are part of rock and roll history in
Geelong, Melbourne and Australia.
Several incarnations have seen Darren,
Nathan, Matt, Justin, Brett and finally Toddy all play their
part in the incredible beast that has been Warped over the
years. For regular Melbourne live music punters between
1991 and 2004 seeing Warped play was as essential as having
vegemite in the house and as normal being able to buy a
beer at the pub.
At this time, it would be criminal not
to reflect on some of the high points over the years.
Over the years, Warped have shared the
stage with many international acts. Amongst others, they
include Dinosaur Jnr, Fugazi, Henry Rollins, Audioslave,
The Melvins, Dick Dale, Nebula, The Backyard Babies, The
Hellacopters, The Distillers, Andrew WK, Fu Manchu, The
Dwarves, The Donnas, but by far the most important and cherished
memories are the times they shared the stage with bands
and friends like Bored!, the Cosmic Psychos, the Dirty Lovers,
the Onyas, Powder Monkeys, The Hard-Ons, The Meanies, Magic
Dirt, Spiderbait, Legends of Motorsport, Dern Rutledge,
Further, The Nation Blue, Tumbleweed and The Mark of Cain
to name but a few.
Warped have also been a active part of
the Melbourne music community, regularly appearing at Radio
benefits for PBS, RRR, 3CR, as well as countless other worthwhile
community causes over the years.
Among an estimated 600 shows over the 13
years, one series that will be immortalised among friends
and fans will be the Seven Nights of Sins show at the North
Melbourne Town Hall. It came in September 2002, when Warped
bought North Melbourne to a stand still with an experience
that, according to publican John Collins, truly shook the
foundations and cemented the legend that is Warped live,
with over 150+ people packed in the tiny 70 capacity room
of Town Hall, spilling out onto the laneway to witness the
event through the windows, every night, seven of them in
a row.
Warped have produced a large catalog of
music in 13 years. Starting out on the infamous Au Go Go
label, Warped put out mini-albums and albums as well as
a series of fanzines. A new home at Festival Mushroom Records
produced the groundbreaking and long celebrated 'On the
Make' album along with a handful of singles and videos.
Several independent 7" releases, a picture disc, split
7"s and even limited press cassettes, saw the light
of day. Countless bootleg and radio sessions live recordings
exist, as do hundreds of hours of live video footage. Releases
in Europe and Japan during the years came in many forms
from many labels. A final album, "Quicker Ways to Blacker
Eyes' was released on a specially formed label - casadeldisco
- and a new home was found at Shock. Often noted as their
best album, it has received wide spread airplay and praise
as an Australian Rock and Roll album to be put on the shelf
with the greats.
The chance to record with Rose Tattoo's
Angry and Pete Wells as well as the very final recording
sessions in legendary Festival Studios in Sydney were brushes
with history for Warped, as was a set at the legendary Broadford
Festival.
Warped have always been known as a band
who always did what they wanted. If they felt like they
wanted to play for seven nights in a row, they did. If they
felt like they wanted to make an album, they did. If they
wanted to play free shows, they did. Warped were true cavaliers
in the Australian music scene. They always fought the good
fight for better or for worse. They had their run-ins at
different times with various members of the media, record
labels, promoters and bookers, but at the same time they
also found some incredible people in those very same industries
that will remain life long friends.
There are no regrets amongst the band.
Some sweet memories, some bitter experiences - the show
would always go on. They didn't always get it right, but
they were always quick to give it another crack.
Their thanks go to everyone involved over
the years at their various homes: Augogo Records, FMR Records,
casadeldisco and Shock Records, and the many, many friends,
family, Warped Mafia, helpers and punters at the shows.
Thirteen years is a whole lot of rock and
roll. Anyone who knows the boys from Warped will know that
the rock will be alive and well wherever they venture for
many years to come.
Warped
would like to say 'Thank you and Goodnight.'"
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