The Scandal is a three piece punk band from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Forming deep in rural Tasmania late in 2000, the band has since played a swag of sweaty, heartfelt gigs from the top to the bottom of Tassie, and further afield.
The band, comprised of Nic White (bass, vocals), Mat Cocks (drums, vocals), and Liam White (guitar, vocals), takes influence from musicians as diverse as F-Minus, Hot Water Music, Fugazi, and Mindsnare. Neck-snapping tempo changes are paired with death thrash and desperate melody, and delivered with truckloads of energy and conviction.
The Scandal has shared stages with many interstate and international bands, including acts as diverse as US bands Against Me! and The Lawrence Arms, hardcore bands Mindsnare and In Name And Blood, punks Frenzal Rhomb, Stolen Youth and Away From Now, and noise rock bands The Nation Blue, Blacklevel Embassy, and Group Seizure.
In August 2004, The Scandal released a split EP with great mates and fellow Hobart punks Stand Defiant on independent label Disconnect Records. The EP received overwhelmingly positive reviews in national publications and online music sites, as well as regular national airplay on Triple J's short.fast.loud and Home and Hosed programs. It was also a recommended release on Hobart's EDGE Radio, 2004's Australian community station of the year, and received airplay on RRR and PBS in Melbourne, followed up by two successful tours to Melbourne in 2005 and a constant flow of shows closer to home.
The Scandal released its debut long player, Never Hold To Shore, in late 2006, the culmination of a solid twelve months spent writing and rehearsing new material. Recorded through winter 2006 with producer Linc le Fevre, the album showcases the band's more cohesive and progressive songwriting. The release was paired with a launch tour that took in Tasmania and Adelaide, where the band joined Stolen Youth for a double album launch show.
Shortly after the launch of the record, drummer Mat Cocks was diagnosed with chronic tendinitis, and the band was forced to take the entirety of 2007 off, unsure if they would ever be able to play again. After months of frustrating physio and constant pain, Mat was able to pick up the sticks again, and the band is once again able to rehearse. A return to the stage is planned for December, with interstate shows planned for early 08.