Tear Drive rolled into town on their first tour, playing their first shows out of Brisbane, and honestly — you could feel that mix of nerves and excitement buzzing off them before they even hit the first note. But the second they started, it was obvious: these boys have been doing this for a long time. Knowing each other since school. And it shows in the way they move as one.
Baxter Melrose, 21 and somehow already sounding like he’s lived three different musical lives, has this beautiful, distinctive voice that hits you right in the chest. There’s something warm and aching in it — not overdone, not showy, just honest. The kind of voice that makes you stop mid‑sip of your drink because suddenly you’re feeling things. He does this all whilst owning the guitar at the same time.
The bass and drums were doing that sneaky thing where they get under your skin without you noticing. Proper heartbeat‑messing rhythm section. Nicholas Pezzimenti kept everything tight behind the kit — clean, steady, never trying to steal the spotlight, just holding the whole thing together like a quiet anchor.
With no keys in the mix, the set leaned hard into the guitar energy, and it suited them perfectly. Gabriel Kolakowski and Isaac Clarke both play with this serious, focused intensity — no ego, no fuss, just two very Quality guitarists building something bigger than themselves. And honestly, with their matching hair, similar builds, and the way they lock in onstage, you would have sworn they were twins. Or at least brothers(They’re not). That symmetry added this unexpected visual cohesion to the whole set.
Comparing Tear Drive to other bands is actually pretty hard. When I first stumbled across them, I couldn’t pin down who they sounded like — which, to me, is a great thing. They’ve carved out their own dynamic and presence. Their music is smooth and sexy, but still upbeat and catchy enough that you want to groove. There’s even a hint of that new‑age INXS swagger in the way the songs move.
Their sound is a lot more mature than what you’d expect from such a young band. There’s a confidence in the songwriting, a clarity in the arrangements, and a warmth in the delivery that feels way beyond their years.
The moment that absolutely floored me was “Carry You Back Home.” It’s one of those songs that feels like it’s holding your hand and breaking your heart at the same time. Emotional without being dramatic. Tight without feeling stiff. It lingered long after the last chord.
For a band on their first tour, playing their first shows outside Brisbane, Tear Drive looked completely at home. Young, polished, and already carving out something real. They were the best first slot band we’ve seen this year, And based off their EP the future is bright!
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