Irish Handcuffs [D] / Bellyacher [D] / Astronuts [D] @ Sonic Ballroom

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Lineup/Informationen
Punkrock, Indie Punk
Since late 2011 IRISH HANDCUFFS from Regensburg, Germany dedicate themselves to playing catchy punk rock and avoiding all too serious careers and lives, despite being a band in their mid-thirties. They get what they deserve: days spent in stinky vans and nights spent sleeping on Floors. Living the dream! So far they have released various splits and EPs, as well as a full length record and played over 200 shows. In addition to sharing the stage with bands like LAGWAGON, SWINGIN UTTERS, FACE TO FACE, DESCENDENTS, TEENAGE BOTTLEROCKET or LAWRENCE ARMS among others, they went on various tours in Europe, to the UK, Canada and the United States. There they had the chance to play THE FEST in Gainesville twice and POUZZA FEST in Montréal.

The first unofficial Bellyacher band meeting took place in January, 2020, when Matt (bass/vocals) and Bär (guitar) first met for a coffee to discuss forming a band together.
They had no idea that by the time the initial Bellyacher lineup would come together, a world-altering pandemic was about to strike. Needless to say, this slowed the band’s initial
progress. Meeting sporadically over the first few months with Tim (guitar) and Bene (drums) having entered the fold, the band managed to put together a number of carefully-crafted
anthems. In doing so, it was clear that the original expectations for the band had taken an unintentional turn into more diverse territory.
“When Bär and I first met, we assumed the band would at least somewhat echo the melodic hardcore bands we share a deep appreciation for. But, by the time it all came together, we
realized that Bellyacher had very organically added elements of all the different types of music we have loved for years, but never actually got around to creating in our previous
bands. It was not a conscious effort at all, but we seem to now be a band that floats somewhere between melodic indie punk, 90s emo/post-hardcore and the college alternative
rock we all loved growing up, and that’s completely fine with me.”- Matt
The sound would soon become further diversified after linking up with Claudia (lead vocals). Her clean voice would provide a welcome contrast to Matt’s raw backups and the tuneful
yet buzzing dual guitar attack. The result is something that seems to remind everyone of something, but they tend to have trouble putting a finger on exactly what. Offers Matt, “Yes,
we have all been around for a while and played in a thousand other bands, but I think we’ll surprise anyone expecting more of the same.”
With the release of their first EP on Raincheck/Highway 15 Records, the band is poised to take the world, or at least your garden, by storm.

Stylistically, ASTRONUTS play melodic Punk Rock in the vein of bands like Good Riddance or No Use for a Name, and blend it with poppy influences that remind of acts like The Menzingers, Ataris or Red City Radio. It is the wide spectrum of musical influences that makes up the band’s very own trademark sound, ranging from fast and melodic hardcore sing-alongs to melancholic downtempo anthems with a punky edge. By teaming up with new guitar player and Co-frontman Chris, who also fronts Ska-Punk powerhouse TEQUILA TERMINATORS, the quartet ultimately perfected their polyphonic vocal style, which amalgamates with crisp guitar harmonies, rolling bass and a powerful drumming.