It’s no secret that we’re big fans of Melbourne crew High Tension. Between their high energy blistering live shows to their badass music video talents (see: their latest clip for ‘Bully’ here) it’s hard not to love these guys.

Out today the band have dropped their new album also titled Bully (out via Double Cross Records). Recorded in Adelaide with James Balderston, it features guest spots from Matt Young (King Parrot) and grunge heroine Adalita.

Consisting of Karina Utomo and Ash Pegram (Young and Restless), Matt Weston (The Nation Blue) and Damian Cowards (Heirs, Love Like Electrocution) this second full length from the four piece is the band at their very best. To celebrate its release, we chatted with Ash Pegram who talked tampons and terrible Nu-metal cliches to create a list of ‘the most ridiculous moments in heavy music history’.

#7: All of Metallica’s ‘Some Kind of Monster’

‘My lifestyle determines my death style’.
Need I say more?

#6: Danzig getting punched

I keep watching this but imagining those sound effects from Australia’s Funniest Home Videos on there. And then I laugh too much and my chest hurts. So I take a Nurofen and then watch this all again. It’s like a drug I can’t quit.

#5: White Zombie can’t keep in time

At the 1995 MTV awards, White Zombie ‘played’. And by ‘played’, I mean they stumbled atrociously through an off time version of More ‘Human Than Human’. They blamed their drummer and the drummer blamed the backing track. This is why I hate anything to do with pre-recorded stuff on stage. It’s doomed to fail one day.

#4: Huggy Bear on the word

At the time this was infamous. For some bizarre reason, The Word on Channel 4 in the UK invited Huggy Bear on for a performance. Usually it was reserved for ‘mainstream’ alt acts like Smashing Pumpkins or Urge Overkill. But somehow these legends made it on the show and smashed out three minutes of pure chaotic riot grrl. Then later on the show, they heckled the presenter for a segment on identical twins who looked like Barbie. What a bunch of champions.

#3: Gwar cameo in Empire Records / Cannibal Corpse in Ace Ventura

Two mid ‘90s cult classics with bizarre cameos from metal bands. Apparently Jim Carrey was a massive Cannibal Corpse fan and insisted they be in the movie. Ridiculous.

#2: Kittie

OH GOD MAKE IT STAAAAHP! Kittie embodies everything that was wrong with the nu metal period. Chokers, that horrible slant ‘spooky’ face that every numetal frontperson did in their videos, the huge cargo pants, the seven stringed Ibanezes. All that’s missing is some Adidas snap pants and a Papa Roach patch.

#1: L7 gets bloody

My personal favourite. After getting heckled due to sound problems. Donita Sparks responded by yelling ‘EAT MY USED TAMPON FUCKERS’ and pegged her used tampon into the crowd. I use this method pretty much on a weekly basis, usually at Woolies when they’re out of chorizo in the deli or on trams to avoid ticket fines.

High Tension’s 2nd album Bully is out now on Double Cross Records.

‘Bully’ Tour Dates

11 JULY | HOWLER | MELBOURNE
Doors 8pm
W/ I Exist, Outright & YLVA

FRIDAY 17 JULY | CROWBAR | BRISBANE
Doors 8pm
W/ Lizzard Wizzard, 100% & Pissed On

SATURDAY 18 JULY |  NEWTOWN SOCIAL CLUB | SYDNEY
Doors 8pm
W/ Mere Women, Narrow Lands & MSV BCP

High Tension will be performing as part of Bigsound 2015. Line up and info at www.qmusic.com.au/bigsound

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