Manurewa doesn't seem a likely genesis point for Every Man For Himself's chaotic metal, (bet the obligatory rockquest-styled shows were awkward). But with members just as likely to play in an old rugby jersey and jandels as bandtees and chucks – they've become accustomed to sticking out even amongst their musical peers.
And five years of sticking out, playing countless performances up and down the country, have made Every Man For Himself a fixture. They've played slots at Hamtown Smakdown, Punkfest and Battles In The North, and supported internationals like Epitaph's Parkway Drive and Victory Records metal act Darkest Hour.
When Everything is Said and Done, More is Said Than Done is their second EP. It unconventionally kicks off with an organ-laced Maori-language introduction, before launching into another six tracks of technical, hardcore influenced metal, that modulates from chugging, tough-guy breakdowns into spastic scream-outs and 80s metal lead breaks. There's even a straight-faced screaming cover of A Te Tarakihi, as popularised by Kiri Te Kanawa.
The “single” Even a Broken Clock is Right Twice a Day, is two minutes of jackhammer riffs, double-kick and death growls. The video for the song (animated/directed by Nigel Ward) is a gleefully nostalgic clip animated in the Commodore 64 graphics of the game Maniac Mansion (watch it and you'll remember). In the video, Every Man For Himself must stop a broken clock from ringing so they can radio for help and escape the mansion. You should probably watch it and find out what happens.
When Everything is Said and Done, More is Said Than Done is a document of a band that believes in the grassroots, drawing inspiration from Aotearoa legends like The Deadline, 21 Guns, Kill Me Quickly and One Must Fall, rather than big internationals.
“Local bands were always our heroes. Big names don't really have the same effect on us as a hard-working local band does,” says guitarist/songwriter Adam Ward.
“They're just so transparent. I know they're not doing it for money cause they've just driven for seven hours to play in a brick shed with no guarantee of petrol money.”
Likewise, Every Man For Himself have no pretensions but to make music for the love of it.
“We don't want to go towards the mainstream. There are a lot of bands that get by on just playing to the underground. The long drives [to other cities for shows] feel like nothing - it's part of it. The shows are worth it and our friends are worth it.”
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hey guys i jacked up a shirt through brento and deposited th money into his acc about 2weeks ago have you guys sent th shirt yet? just wondering if its gotten lost or wha...
just a random thought, which I get those quite often, and you guys get to reap the reward of this one because I got NZ on the brain...you should jus move to ChristChurch then say you are from AntiChristChurch... yea...I know..I will go fuck myself now. haha
@brento: you visit the munich hardcore festival in 2006? cool shit man!! You made holiday this time here in munich or visit friends? Greetings from Munich tromallo & lofi inferno
no one i did this all myself cept the drums which nikolais helpin me with for recordin an ep. otherwise im lookin for people ay. i wanna do vocals for it tho.