SMASH THE STATUES
Smash The Statues kicked off early 2003 with the recording of a 4 song EP and their first show on April 5 of the same year. Influenced by bands such as Propagandhi, Good Riddance, Strike Anywhere and I-Spy, the band was aiming for melodic hardcore punk with topics about social change. Two years later the band recorded their first album “Against The Stream” with producer Nico van Montfort at Die Tonmeisterei in Oldenburg, Germany. The record, released February 2006 by Angry Youth Records, got positive reviews.
“I like everything about this record. The music is really good and the topics in the lyrics can be thought-provoking” (AsIce.net).
“…all in all extremely well done”(Maximum Rock ‘n Roll)
“Prematurely I dare to say this is the best Dutch punkrecord of the year” (Up Magazine)
The record gave Smash The Statues the opportunity to play shows in well known Dutch venues as Melkweg and 013 with bands as Strike Anywhere, Strung Out, Beatsteaks and Modern Life Is War. Also the band started to expand their territory and started touring Europe. Shows were played in Belgium, Germany, the UK, Sweden, Norway, Austria and Slovenia.
In 2008, again 2 years after the previous record, Smash The Statues hit the studio again with Nico van Montfort, who joined the band after the first record. This time assisted by Pieter Vonk the band recorded “When Fear Is All Around Us” in a few days in Die Tonmeisterei in Germany again. The band found a new home at The Netherlands based Shield Recordings. In December 2008 they released the bands second album on vinyl and cd. Again, the critics were very positive.
“On their third release (and second full length) the band does everything right” (OOR)
“The songs and production are super-tight making the album pack a solid punch and it certainly wouldn’t be out of place on the Fat Wreck or Epitaph roster” (No Front Teeth)
Just like the first record, this meant new opportunities. Shows with Propagandhi and Venerea were played and the band did multiple tours, talking them this time even further to Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia as well.
2009 turned out to be the busiest year for the band and members realized that the input and ambitions were not on the same level anymore. At the end of 2009 the band decided to break up while they still enjoyed playing and the band played their final gig on January 23, 2010 at De Onderbroek in Nijmegen, a place where shows were booked by members, Smash The Statues played countless times and felt like a second home and an inspirational place. A more than sold out show was the result of a band with 4 punks just doing what they felt like.
Fast forward to exact 3 years later, Smash The Statues announces they are back! Apparently the fire was still burning and the same 4 punks got back together. Eager to play again and packed with a critical view on society and the same horrible sense of humour, Smash The Statues is ready to hit the stages again and planning to record a new album at the end of the year. The first show will take place at their 10 year anniversary on the same date as the first show ten years earlier. This is not a one-off, we’re back!
DISCOGRAPHY
Smash The Statues [2003, DIY release]
Against The Stream [2006, Angry Youth Records]
When Fear Is All Around Us [2008, Shield Recordings]
Salad Days Remain [2012, internet release only]
