The Mark Of Cain returns to the stage this October performing their debut album “Battlesick” in its entirety.
Originally released in 1989 via indie Adelaide label Dominator, Battlesick sounded like no Australian album before or since. Tracks like “Wake Up”, “Dead Man’s Mail”, “The Setback”, “Call in Anger” and the title track addressed the fear of dreams, the threat of death, anger over disappointment and personal setbacks; not exactly the subject matter of an era when Kylie Minogue was queen and Ratcat were primed to become the pinnacle of the underground.
It did not chart and in Australia it was barely heard out of Adelaide however, its resonance did find an audience - even if that audience had to come from places far away rather than near. As did this fan:
"Like I heard the song Wake Up and I was like 'whooah', I woke up! And then I heard the song Battlesick and it was all over for me, that's just an amazing song. For me, just as a songwriter, that's the song for which you wish you wrote the lyrics. Like 'damn man, he wrote Battlesick, that fucker. Let me write that. I mean the imagery in the song is amazing and Deadman's Mail, that's just incredible” - Henry Rollins
The precision three piece - which features brothers John and Kim Scott (on guitar and bass respectively) plus drummer Eli Green (a touring member of The Mark Of Cain since 2014) - will also a perform a second set or extended “encore” of classics from right across their five studio albums. The 2019 tour marks the first national tour by The Mark Of Cain band since 2015.
Completing the touring line-up and making their Australian debut will be Washington DC trio The Messthetics, featuring Brendan Canty and Joe Lally (both ex-Fugazi) alongside guitarist Anthony Pirog.
This will be the first visit to our shores for the Fugazi rhythm section since that band’s final Australian tour of 2003 while for jazz-trained guitarist Pirog, it will be his first. The tour follows the release of the trio's eponymous debut album (“Dischord”) in March 2018 and a new album “Anthropocosmic Nest” slated for release this September.
Tickets go on sale at 9am on Wednesday, July 17 via feelpresents.com
FEEL PRESENTS...THE MARK OF CAIN 'BATTLESICK' 30TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS THE MESSTHETICS (EX FUGAZI)
Thursday 17th October 2019 - The Triffid, Brisbane QLD
Friday 18th October 2019 - The Factory, Sydney NSW + feedtime
Saturday 19th October 2019 - The Basement, Canberra ACT
Sunday 20th October 2019 - Small Ballroom, Newcastle NSW
Thursday 24th October 2019 - Rosemount Hotel, Perth WA
Friday 25th October 2019 - The Gov, Adelaide SA
Saturday 26th October 2019 - Corner Hotel, Melbourne VIC
