Formed in 2002, it didn’t take long for Auckland based Bleeders to take off. In their debut year they released the legendary hardcore punk NZ classic A Bleeding Heart EP. This was followed by constant sold out shows all over NZ. In 2004 the band was rewarded for their hard work and ever growing fan base by signing a record deal to Universal Music.
2006 was a huge year for the Bleeders. Their debut album, the anthemic power house that is Sweet As Sin, reached 2 in the charts, garnered them Best Breakthough Artist and Best Rock Album at the 2006 New Zealand Music Awards and went on to sell Gold. The band toured like maniacs in NZ and headed across the Tasman no less than five times at the invitation of everyone from Avenged Sevenfold and AFI to Aussie acts Gyroscope and Behind Crimson Eyes.
The self-titled follow up to Sweet As Sin rejects any notion of resting on laurels. Produced by Clint Murphy and the Bleeders at Auckland’s York Street Studios and mastered by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound in New York, Bleeders was a return to the brutal vitality that first brought them to people’s attention.
“This time we want to make your ears bleed” says frontman Angelo Munro, describing the album as a “fresh start”. In a sea of imitators and “watered down sh*t” the Bleeders believe it is time for an onslaught of true, raw aggresion to shake down the complacent masses and the post-emo cynicism consuming current musical trends.
The single She Screamed She Loved Me takes Bleeders signature gut-busting guitar and ups the riffage to uncontrollable levels. Having mastered the art of melody and pure power, tempered by a darkness that their longest-serving fans will have missed, the musicianship and vocal muscle on this record surpasses anything the band have done before and will serve as a high water mark for any pups intending to challenge for the title.
By their own admission the Bleeders have more to say and on their self-titled second offering, the discourse remains rooted in an honesty and integrity that is typical of the group’s output so far. As Real Groove magazine once said of them, they “lack the sense of exclusivity that confines so many bands to their cliquey pigeonholes… If you buy a Bleeders album [or] go to a show, you’re in the gang, no further questions.”
2009 saw the band broaden their horizons by relocating to Toronto.
The band supported the legendary Canadian post hardcore band Alexisonfire on their release shows for Old Crows/Young Cardinals and they also supported the likes of SNFU at Canadian Music Week and bands such as the Cancer Bats.
Towards the end of 2009, the Bleeders disbanded with members staying on in Canada whilst other members returned home to NZ.
Members of Bleeders went on to perform in such bands as Black Lungs (Canada) and NZ bands Cobra Khan and Leeches. They also played a reunion tour in 2012.
Photo Credit: Jason Crane
Bleeders are:
Angelo Munro (vocals)
Gareth Stack (bass)
Ian King (guitar)
Aaron Goddard (guitar)
Matt Clark (drums)
