It’s going to get heavy

DIY punk mini-festival Skumfest Tasmania is set to hit Launceston and Hobart hard and fast over the next two nights.

Featuring “an extreme line-up of total chaos and fun”, Skumfest Tasmania showcases the fastest and most extreme bands from across Australia and around the world, and promises “plenty of shenanigans” including skate ramps, barbecues, pinatas, raffles — and heaps of music.

The Skumfest line-up is led by German punks Sick Times — Vullmie (guitar, vocals), Julian (bass, vocals) and Zippi (drums) — who have been cranking out ’80s-style punk rock straight from the heart since 2007, playing almost 300 shows in Germany, and touring France, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, China, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.

New Zealand hardcore punks Starving Millions — Pete (guitar, vocals), Dave (drums), Cam (bass) and Sam (guitar) — are the other international act on the Skumfest bill, as they tour to promote their new EP V, which came out this month.

They’ll be joined by four leading interstate acts: Sydney fastcore fourpiece DISPARO; Sydney “powerviolence” band Michael Crafter; Melbourne experimental grindcore punks Grudge; and Melbourne grind/ sludge/crust act Dead Root.

Tasmanian acts on the bill include Launceston “hardcore partyviolence” band Uncle Geezer — who will be playing their 100th live show — along with grindcore group Nowyouref--keD; metalcore act BREAK THROUGH; screamo band Al’s Toy Barn; progressive metal band Majula; and thrash punk group TerrrorBrawl.

Good Times Records and Skumpunk Pductions present Skumfest Tasmania at a secret location in Launceston tonight (see Facebook for details), and across two stages at Hobart’s Brisbane Hotel from 7pm tomorrow. Tickets to the Hobart leg are $15, available at the door.