Punks on the verge of stardom

Perth indie punk band Sly Withers will hit the South West next week as part of their WA tour. The band are fresh from a sold-out national tour supporting Melbourne pop-punk outfit Slowly Slowly, which ended at the Rosemount Hotel in Perth on Saturday.

Over the last three years, the four friends from Perth’s northern suburbs have transformed from high school mates busking in their spare time to a critically acclaimed act on the verge of national stardom.

Lead singer Sam Blitvich said the band were excited for a “milestone” show at Settlers Tavern and touring the region.

“The last Perth show we played we sold out the Indi Bar — it’s as close to a hometown event as we get — and it was a really terrific show where everyone knew the words and there was a super-lovely vibe in the room.

“It’s an amazing feeling when you’re playing a show in Brisbane, or wherever, and you realise you know no one in the audience but they know the words to your music.”

Blitvich, who has struggled with anxiety and depression, said writing the track Pleb was his way of coming to grips with his mental health. “I think it’s important that it takes a bigger role in public discourse now, I have artists that I listen to that have helped me, so if I can be that for one person then that’s pretty special and powerful,” he said.

“As a young person, so many bands have a lasting effect on you emotionally, and we really appreciate when someone comes up to us and says our music honestly resonated with them.”

Sly Withers recently signed with Australian record label Dew Process, which also represents Bernard Fanning, The Panics, and Last Dinosaurs.

Their EP, Gravis, will be released on September 13.

Sly Withers play Prince of Wales Hotel, Bunbury on Thursday, August 29, Settlers Tavern, Margaret River on Friday, August 30 and Dunsborough Tavern on Saturday, August 31.